The follow-up series to A Different World is progressing at Netflix, with the streaming giant making an unusual move by granting one of the few pilot orders in its history for this comedy project.
According to Variety, sources indicate that production on the pilot is set to begin in early summer, aimed at better understanding the show’s tone and the chemistry between its cast members. At the time of this report, the cast has not yet been confirmed.
An insider familiar with the situation shares that Netflix does not intend to follow the traditional broadcast network model, where shows compete for a limited number of spots during a pilot season.
Netflix has avoided the conventional pilot process for most of its history, only issuing its first-ever pilot order in 2023. Historically, the platform has favored straight-to-series or script-to-series deals for its projects. However, Netflix, which once vowed to keep ads off its platform, introduced an ad-supported tier in November 2022.
Opting to bypass a pilot phase is a considerable financial risk. While a show might seem promising on paper, various factors can prevent it from translating well onto the screen, making it unworthy of a full series order. As the entertainment industry becomes more focused on profitability, particularly following the Peak TV era, the idea of committing to an entire season without first testing the waters could become less appealing.
Even with Netflix’s willingness to produce a limited number of pilots, this shift could have significant effects across the industry. Traditionally, broadcast networks have been influenced by Netflix’s direct-to-series approach. In past years, numerous pilots would be vying for slots on network schedules, but currently, fewer than 10 pilots are in development across the Big Four networks.
The new series, a continuation of A Different World, was first reported to be in the works in August 2024. As previously mentioned, it will revisit Hillman College, the fictional historically Black university from the original series, and follow the daughter of Whitley and Dwayne, characters from the original show.
Felicia Pride serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner for the project, with Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Reggie Bythewood also serving as executive producers. Werner, who produced the original series through The Carsey-Werner Company, and Allen, who produced and directed most of the original’s 144 episodes, will return for the new pilot. Sources confirm Allen is set to direct the pilot as well.
A Different World initially began as a spinoff of The Cosby Show, following Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) as she navigated life at Hillman College. After Bonet’s departure following the first season, the series shifted its focus to other characters, including those played by Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Glynn Turman, Cory Tyler, Lou Myers, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, and Charnele Brown.
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