‘A Different World’ Ending Explained: Will Lisa Bonet’s Denise Return for Season 2?

A Different World is back at Hillman, but a new generation is bringing plenty of new drama with it. Over the course of the season, friendships are tested, romances get messy, and Hillman itself faces an uncertain future. But the finale saves some of its biggest surprises for last — including breakups, betrayals, several major cliffhangers, and one reveal that could bring Lisa Bonet‘s Denise Huxtable back into the fold.

So how does A Different World end, and what could it mean for Season 2? Let’s break it down.

What happens in Season 1 of A Different World?

Hillman’s newest class arrives with plenty of baggage. Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the daughter of Whitley Gilbert-Wayne (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), lands at Hillman after a warehouse fire leaves her with few other college options. Her roommate, Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), is a brilliant student from Compton whose financial aid is threatened by Hillman’s massive budget crisis. Meanwhile, Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), the son of Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell), is a “five-star” football player with a complicated romantic history with Deborah.

The group also includes Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall), who struggles with housing early in the semester; Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche), a Ghanaian-Nigerian Brit pursuing his passion for design; and Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece), who is adjusting to college after a religious upbringing.

As the semester progresses, their friendships and romances quickly get chaotic, with Deborah caught between Shaquille and another student named Ellington (Vincent Jamal Hooper), Rashida developing feelings for Andre (Joshua Suiter) while growing closer to Kojo, and Amir’s hookup with Jalen (Elijah J. Roberts) creating problems with his best friend (and Jalen’s girlfriend) Hazel.

Netflix

At the same time, Hillman itself is in trouble. The school is $100 million in debt, forcing Dwayne to step in as interim president while Professor Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer) and other faculty members push back against cuts. Deborah also finds herself repeatedly caught in her parents’ problems as Whitley and Dwayne separate and struggle over their very different priorities.

Familiar faces, including Colonel Bradford Taylor (Glynn Turman), Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor (Dawnn Lewis), Gina Devereaux (Ajai Sanders), Kimberly Reese (Charnele Brown), and Congresswoman Lena James (Jada Pinkett Smith) return as Hillman fights for its future.

How does A Different World end?

Things are messy. With a capital “M.” Episode 10, “A Gift & a Curse,” picks up on Day 3 of the occupation of the president’s office, with Deborah still leading the Student Action Collective. While the board wants the protesters expelled, Ellington defends them, arguing that activism is part of Hillman’s history. Dwayne ultimately shows them grace, handing out community service instead of disciplinary action and agreeing to create a student review panel. Hillman also gets some financial relief when Senator Byron Douglas (Joe Morton), Whiney’s former flame, and Congresswoman Lena James secure legislation providing funds for HBCUs.

Netflix

But Deborah soon discovers Whitley and Dwayne bought her way into Hillman with a donation to the Gaines Library. Feeling betrayed that her parents didn’t believe she could get in on her own, she confronts them before they eventually apologize at the gala.

Her love life falls apart, too. Deborah confronts Shaquille about sleeping with RA Candace (XXX) and ends things, telling him he is blocked “digitally, emotionally, and permanently.” As Shaquille prepares to leave Hillman for Colorado, Ellington apologizes for taking credit for Shaquille’s flowers. Deborah ultimately appears to make her choice when she kisses Ellington.

Will Denise Huxtable return to Hillman in Season 2?

As Ellington is talking to Wayne, it is revealed that his last name is actually Kendall, as in Denise Kendall. Turns out he is Denise Huxtable’s (Lisa Bonet) son, and according to Ellington, Denise is now divorced from her husband, Lieutenant Martin Kendall, and is currently single.

And the connection may be setting up an even bigger return. After Dwayne asks Whitley to remain in Richmond and move into the president’s house with him, he secretly calls Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet), telling her on the phone, “I really need you right now.”

Carsey-Werner Co. / Courtesy: Everett Collection

But wait! There’s more!

Elsewhere, Rashida accepts a paid research position from Professor Brooks, but her relationship with Kojo implodes when he discovers she lied about her history with Andre. Things get even worse when ICE approaches Kojo in the finale.

Related

'A Different World' Season 2: Premiere Date, Trailer, Cast, Episode Details, More

Amir considers reconciling with Jalen, only to be confronted by his parole officer over a missed check-in and learn that a warrant has been issued. Hazel gets into Lena’s leadership program, catches the attention of hottie Xavier (Dasan Frazier), and then learns that her long-distance boyfriend Roger has gotten into Hillman, which will slow her roll when it comes to dating nice Christian boys.

And the older generation has plenty of drama, too. Freddie insists to Ron Johnson that their old romance will never happen again — only for the two to end up sleeping together. Meanwhile, despite talk of making Dwayne Hillman the permanent president, Byron reveals that the board has another candidate in mind.

By the end of the finale, nearly everyone’s future is up in the air — and Dwayne’s mysterious call to Denise leaves the door wide open for another major A Different World homecoming: Lisa Bonet. But only if there is a Season 2.

A Different World, Season 1, Now Streaming, Netflix