Method Man and More Added to Cast of ‘A Different World’ Sequel

Cliff “Method Man” Smith is the latest addition to the cast of Netflix’s upcoming A Different World sequel.

The streaming giant announced the news on Thursday, April 23, and revealed production has wrapped in Atlanta, Georgia.

Method Man (PowerBook II: Ghost and The Wire) steps into a role as Coach Coles on the series.

Legacy cast members Karen Malina White and Ajai Sanders are returning to reprise their roles as Charmaine Brown and Gina Deveaux, respectively.

Norman Nixon Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy) joins the cast as Professor Baptiste.

The series comes from executive producers Felicia Pride and Debbie Allen. Pride additionally serves as showrunner.

“Reaching this point in the process to wrap production has been such a long time in the making,” Pride said in a statement Thursday to Netflix blog Tudum. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the work that everyone – from our amazing cast to our awesome crew – has done and the creativity and heart that we have poured into this show.”

A spinoff of The Cosby Show, the original version of A Different World was set at fictional HBCU Hillman College and followed the lives of a core group of students and faculty. The classic sitcom aired on NBC from 1987 to 1993.

The updated version follows Deborah Wayne, youngest daughter of legacy characters Dwayne Wayne (played by Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (played by Jasmine Guy).

Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen) leads a new generation of Hillman students as Deborah, who is determined to step out of the shadow of her alumni parents.

Along with the newcomers, many other legacy cast members have returned for the reboot. A premiere date for the 10-episode series will be announced soon.

Below is the full list of the Netflix show’s cast:
Maleah Joi Moon as Deborah
Alijah Kai Haggins as Rashida
Kennedi Reece as Hazel
Cornell Young as Shaquille
Jordan Aaron Hall as Amir
Chibuikem Uche as Kojo
Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Wayne
Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert
Darryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson
Cree Summer as Freddie Brooks
Charnele Brown as Dr Kimberly Reese Boyer
Jenifer Lewis as Professor Davenport
Jada Pinkett Smith as Lena James
Vincent Jamal Hooper as Ellington
Elijah J. Roberts as Jalen
Renee Harrison as Candace
Famecia Ward as Nellie Gaines
Dasan Frazier as Xavier
Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor
Glynn Turman as Col. Bradford Taylor
Tichina Arnold as Darlene Duvall
Joshua Suiter as Andre
Raven Goodwin as Dr. Brooklyn Boyer

The image above shows (L-R) Method Man, Karen Malina White and Ajai Sanders (Credit: Shutterstock and IMDb)