Washington

Jada Pinkett Smith is set to return to the world of the classic sitcom A Different World, reprising her role as Lena James in Netflix’s upcoming sequel series.

The actor confirmed the news through a playful Instagram post, sharing a photo of her trailer door with her character’s name, “Lena James,” attached. She captioned the image: “She back #ADifferentWorld.” Netflix later confirmed her involvement through its Instagram Stories.

The sequel will also see the return of several original cast members. Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison will reprise their roles as Whitney Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne, while Cree Summer returns as Freddie Brooks and Darryl M. Bell as Ron “Ronaldus” Johnson.

The new series will shift its focus to a new generation at Hillman College. The story follows Deborah Wayne, played by Maleah Joi Moon, the youngest daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitney Gilbert.

As Deborah begins her freshman year at her parents’ alma mater, she struggles to step out from the shadow of their legacy. Determined to forge her own identity, she navigates campus life alongside a new group of Hillman students while experiencing the challenges and excitement of college.

The ensemble cast introducing the next generation includes Alijah Kai as Rashida, Chibuikem Uche as Kojo, Cornell Young IV as Shaquille, Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir, and Kennedi Reece as Hazel.

The sequel series is developed by Felicia Pride and produced by Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood. Several of these producers were also involved with the original series.

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A Different World originally aired on NBC for six seasons and was produced by Carsey-Werner. Created by Bill Cosby, the sitcom became a cultural touchstone for its portrayal of life at a historically Black college and its focus on student experiences and social issues.