Jada Pinkett Smith is the latest star to join Netflix’s upcoming A Different World sequel.
The actress returns to her role as “Lena James,” a Hillman student introduced on season 5 of the original NBC comedy series. Lena worked part-time at The Pit and the character appeared on 47 episodes between 1991 and 1993, according to IMDb.
Netflix’s Strong Black Lead social media account revealed Pinkett Smith’s casting with a picture posted to X on Thursday, March 12. The actress wore an all black ensemble as she stood outside a trailer with her character’s name on the door.
“Another icon is returning to Hillman. Jada Pinkett-Smith is joining the cast of the A Different World Sequel,” the posted was captioned.
Pinkett Smith also shared the photo with her followers on Instagram.
A Different World debuted in 1987 and was a spinoff of The Cosby Show.The sitcom followed “Denise Huxtable” (Lisa Bonet) and other students at Hillman College, a fictitious HBCU.
Bonet exited spinoff after the first season. The ensemble comedy shifted the storylines to follow “Whitley” (Jasmine Guy), “Dwayne” (Kadeem Hardison), and other characters.
Guy and Hardison are co-starring in the sequel alongside returning cast members Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, Charnele Brown, and Jenifer Lewis.
The series centers on Dwayne and Whitley’s youngest daughter, “Deborah Wayne,” who is now a student at Hillman. Maleah Joi Moon leads the cast as Deborah.
The 10-episode sequel comes from executive producers Debbie Allen and Felicia Pride. Allen produced, directed, and had a role on the original series. She directs the sequel and Pride serves as showrunner.
Original writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood are returning as co-executive producers on the new comedy alongside Mandy Summers and Tom Werner.
The new series began production last month in Atlanta, as previously reported. A premiere date will be announced later.
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