‘A Different World’ Cast : Where Are They Now?

Before HBCUs became a regular part of the television conversation, A Different World gave Black college students a place to see themselves, their friendships, their struggles and their dreams on screen. With the sequel on the way, check out where the original A Different World cast is today. 

The Cosby Show spinoff premiered on NBC in 1987 and ran for six seasons. It became a cultural staple that tackled everything from race and class to relationships, politics and identity while keeping us laughing along the way.

Nearly four decades later, the Hillman College crew is still very much outside the classroom and making moves. With Netflix’s sequel series premiering September 24, 2026 — exactly 39 years after the original debuted — here’s where some of our favorite Hillman legends landed.

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A Different World Original Cast: Where Are They Now? 

1. Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable

Denise may have only spent one season at Hillman, but Lisa Bonet left an unforgettable impression. After leaving the series, Bonet continued acting in films including Enemy of the State and High Fidelity. She also became a mother to Zoë Kravitz with Lenny Kravitz and later welcomed two children with Jason Momoa. Her career has been more selective in recent years, but Denise remains one of the characters who helped make A Different World what it was.

2. Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert

Whitley went from the bougie Southern belle we loved to hate to one of television’s most beloved Black characters. Jasmine Guy starred in all six seasons and even directed and wrote episodes of the show. Since then, she has continued acting…