Netflix’s highly anticipated reboot of A Different World has officially hit our TV screens, with Season 1 dropping on Netflix on Sept. 24. If you’re already making your way through the episodes, one thing that’ll catch your attention almost immediately is the dedication the show put into providing the audience with iconic cameos. And yes, I mean iconic.
Centered around a new generation of Hillman College freshmen, A Different World does an excellent job channeling the original sitcom — which aired in the ’80s and ’90s — while keeping it fresh. The new, next-gen faces who make up the main cast amaze audiences with their unmatched chemistry and style that I hope to see used for Halloween. (Please! I need to see a Rashida Duvall look, or better yet, group costumes.)
The production team picked such a great group of Gen Z actors to bring this show back successfully, but in an era where shows are sometimes watched based on the status of the cast, this is where the cameos and surprise visits from original cast members give the show the publicity push it needs to get the recognition it deserves. Here are some of the best cameos from A Different World Season 1. Spoiler alert: Spoilers for A Different World Season 1 follow.
- Summer Walker
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Netflix Appearing in Episode 3 as herself, I nearly fell off of my bed when Walker really showed up. Not only was she funny in her brief scene, but she also performed a gig for the students on campus.
- Dawnn Lewis & Glynn Turman
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Dawnn Lewis returns as Jaleesa for a few scenes, with her husband Colonel Bradford Taylor (Glynn Turman). A solid couple in the original proved to be still married in the reboot. These legacy characters drop in for three episodes, and yes, we get to see Jaleesa and Whitley bicker like old times.
- Charnele Brown
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Another legacy character dropped in to return as Kim — now Dr. Kim, a sweet nod to her devotion to her studies in the original show. With Kim and Jaleesa visiting, they join recurring original cast members Whitley and Freddie for a true blast from the past.
- Raven Goodwin
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Goodwin drops in as Dr. Brooklyn Boyer, original character Kim’s daughter. Deborah calls her “cousin” and Kim “auntie,” showing how close the original characters are that they consider each other family. Oh, and if you grew up on Disney’s Good Luck Charlie, then yes, this is Teddy’s best friend, Ivy.
- Norman Nixon Jr.
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This longtime Grey’s Anatomy actor and son of A Different World director Debbie Allen comes to campus as Professor Baptiste for the reboot, and he truly embodies the character, bringing comedic relief to serious scenes.
- Jenifer Lewis
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An all-time fan favorite joined the cast for a guest appearance as the president of Hillman College, an upgrade from her previous role as dean of students. Her time with the new generation is short-lived as she leaves after the first episode, mainly serving as the scene setter for one of the main motifs this season.
- Cam Jordan
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Netflix The NFL player is currently a defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, and shows up in A Different World as himself during an interview with Hillman’s star quarterback Shaquille Johnson.
- Ajai Sanders & Karen Malina White
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Returning in Episode 3 as Gina Deveaux and Charmaine Brown, these women are still some of Hillman’s biggest gossips. What Whitley had to say to them was so satisfying, and definitely stopped the two in their tracks.
- Jada Pinkett Smith
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Netflix Smith returns for a few scenes as beloved original character Lena James, she is now a U.S. Congresswoman that played an important role in preserving Hillman (and a marriage) this season. Also, I must add that her wig was SO tea.
- Honorable Mention: Tichina Arnold
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This is technically not a cameo, but definitely deserves a mention! Joining the reboot as Darlene Duvall, Rashida’s mom, we get a hint of Pam and Rochelle when she comes face-to-face with Whitley at the end of the season.
- Honorable Mention: Method Man
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He plays a bigger role in the show, so not technically a cameo, but seeing Method Man on my screen was amazing. This Grammy-winning rapper and actor joined the cast as Coach Coles for Season 1 of the show.
- Honorable Mention: Brandy
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Netflix OK, fine: Brandy isn’t in the series herself, but, listen closely and you might just hear that Brandy is actually singing the new A Different World theme song. Honestly, it’s so good, I might add it to my Spotify playlist.
