A Different World (1987)
TVPG
Sitcom
A spin-off of The Cosby Show that follows Denise Huxtable and a diverse group of students as they navigate the challenges of college life at the fictional historically black college, Hillman.
Cast & Crew
Lisa Bonet Denise Huxtable
Kadeem Hardison Dwayne Cleophus Wayne
Jasmine Guy Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne
Dawnn Lewis Jaleesa Vinson Taylor
Darryl M. Bell Ronald "Ron" Johnson
Sinbad Walter Oakes
Charnele Brown Kimberly "Kim" Reese
Cree Summer Winifred "Freddie" Brooks
Bill Cosby Creator
Marcy Carsey Executive Producer
Tom Werner Executive Producer
Garvin Eddy Production Design
⨁Full Cast & Crew
Upcoming TV Airings
The airings below are based on a generic national schedule. Times and dates can vary by TV provider.
Wednesday, February 4
If I Should Die Before I Wake
Season 4 • Episode 23
An oratory professor (Whoopi Goldberg) gives her class a unique assignment.
Wednesday, February 4
Never Can Say Goodbye
Season 4 • Episode 24
Ron pleads with the dean (Robert Guillaume) about graduating; a "roast" is in the works for Walter.
Wednesday, February 4
We've Only Just Begun
Season 5 • Episode 1
Dwayne buys a ring; Whitley eyes another gem.
Wednesday, February 4
The Dwayne Mutiny
Season 5 • Episode 2
Dwayne is not getting any support when Whitley threatens to walk out and his algebra class mutinies.
Thursday, February 5
Home Is Where the Fire Is
Season 5 • Episode 3
Bickering distracts Whitley and Kim from a hazard in Lena's (Jada Pinkett) room.
Thursday, February 5
Almost Working Girl
Season 5 • Episode 4
When Jaleesa sends Freddie on a temporary job at Whitley's workplace, she insults an executive.
Thursday, February 5
In the Eye of the Storm
Season 5 • Episode 5
Ron and Freddie argue and get stuck in the radio studio.
Thursday, February 5
Rule Number One ...
Season 5 • Episode 6
Dwayne fails to foresee the consequences of his tutoring Lena; Ron goes into the cosmetics business.
Thursday, February 5
If Only for One Night
Season 1 • Episode 20
Dwayne's date with Denise is interrupted when a despondent Whitley shows up.
Thursday, February 5
Dr. War Is Hell
Season 2 • Episode 1
Jaleesa and Whitley have new roommates; Dwayne tries to avoid a dreaded course.
Thursday, February 5
Two Gentlemen of Hillman
Season 2 • Episode 2
Dwayne and Ron's friendship is strained when they work together on a research paper.
Thursday, February 5
Some Enchanted Late Afternoon
Season 2 • Episode 3
Walter and Jaleesa are apprehensive about starting a romantic relationship.
Thursday, February 5
Dream Lover
Season 2 • Episode 4
Whitley is upset by the romantic dreams she has been having about Dwayne.
Thursday, February 5
Three Girls Three
Season 2 • Episode 5
Jaleesa and Whitley are given the chance to become back-up singers for Gladys Knight.
Thursday, February 5
If You Like Pilgrim Coladas
Season 2 • Episode 6
Whitley takes a homesick Kim to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner.
Thursday, February 5
A Stepping Stone
Season 2 • Episode 7
Whitley wants to be the team leader in an interdormitory step competition.
Friday, February 6
Life With Father
Season 2 • Episode 8
Dwayne falls for his calculus teacher's (Glynn Turman) daughter.
Friday, February 6
All's Fair
Season 2 • Episode 9
Whitley is squeezed out when Kim's boyfriend (Brian Wesley Thomas) monopolizes their room.
Friday, February 6
Radio Free Hillman
Season 2 • Episode 10
Whitley is caught in the middle when Dwayne stages a sit-in at the dean's (Rosalind Cash) office.
Friday, February 6
It Happened One Night
Season 2 • Episode 11
Whitley offers her support to Kim when she fears that she may be pregnant.
Friday, February 6
I've Got the Muse in Me
Season 2 • Episode 12
Freddie turns to alcohol when she lacks inspiration in her writing.
Friday, February 6
Risky Business
Season 2 • Episode 13
Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) gives a business etiquette seminar at Hillman.
Friday, February 6
Baby, I'm a Star
Season 5 • Episode 7
Kim's new-found arrogance loses her a spot in Ron's band; Col. Taylor frets over his age.
Friday, February 6
Liza Who-Little
Season 5 • Episode 8
Whitley's wealthy cousin Liza (Jasmine Guy in a dual role) goes husband-hunting at Hillman.
Friday, February 6
To Tell the Truth
Season 5 • Episode 9
Dwayne gets into hot water when he is spotted holding hands with a woman other than Whitley.
Friday, February 6
Do You Take This Woman?
Season 5 • Episode 10
Dwayne gets cold feet, then the potential mothers-in-law clash.
Sunday, February 8
Dr. War Is Hell
Season 2 • Episode 1
Jaleesa and Whitley have new roommates; Dwayne tries to avoid a dreaded course.
Sunday, February 8
Two Gentlemen of Hillman
Season 2 • Episode 2
Dwayne and Ron's friendship is strained when they work together on a research paper.
Sunday, February 8
Some Enchanted Late Afternoon
Season 2 • Episode 3
Walter and Jaleesa are apprehensive about starting a romantic relationship.
Sunday, February 8
Dream Lover
Season 2 • Episode 4
Whitley is upset by the romantic dreams she has been having about Dwayne.
Sunday, February 8
Three Girls Three
Season 2 • Episode 5
Jaleesa and Whitley are given the chance to become back-up singers for Gladys Knight.
Sunday, February 8
If You Like Pilgrim Coladas
Season 2 • Episode 6
Whitley takes a homesick Kim to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner.
Sunday, February 8
A Stepping Stone
Season 2 • Episode 7
Whitley wants to be the team leader in an interdormitory step competition.
Sunday, February 8
Life With Father
Season 2 • Episode 8
Dwayne falls for his calculus teacher's (Glynn Turman) daughter.
Sunday, February 8
All's Fair
Season 2 • Episode 9
Whitley is squeezed out when Kim's boyfriend (Brian Wesley Thomas) monopolizes their room.
Sunday, February 8
Radio Free Hillman
Season 2 • Episode 10
Whitley is caught in the middle when Dwayne stages a sit-in at the dean's (Rosalind Cash) office.
Sunday, February 8
It Happened One Night
Season 2 • Episode 11
Whitley offers her support to Kim when she fears that she may be pregnant.
Sunday, February 8
I've Got the Muse in Me
Season 2 • Episode 12
Freddie turns to alcohol when she lacks inspiration in her writing.
Sunday, February 8
Risky Business
Season 2 • Episode 13
Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) gives a business etiquette seminar at Hillman.
Sunday, February 8
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Season 2 • Episode 14
Couples at Hillman College experience broken hearts and discord as Valentine's Day approaches.
Sunday, February 8
For She's Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage
Season 2 • Episode 15
Whitley's mother (Diahann Carroll) is determined to find a boyfriend for her daughter.
Sunday, February 8
It's Greek to Me
Season 2 • Episode 16
Dwayne and Ron's friendship is strained after they pledge a fraternity.
Sunday, February 8
The Thing About Women
Season 2 • Episode 17
Walter becomes jealous when Jaleesa's ex-husband, Lamar, shows up.
Sunday, February 8
High Anxiety
Season 2 • Episode 18
Kim takes on too many responsibilities; Mr. Gaines moves in with Col. Taylor.
Sunday, February 8
Take This Job and Love It
Season 2 • Episode 19
Kim gets Whitley a job at the Pit to help pay for the car she damaged.
Sunday, February 8
No Means No
Season 2 • Episode 20
Dwayne fears Freddie may face date rape when she goes out with an aggressive athlete (Taimak).
Sunday, February 8
Citizen Wayne
Season 2 • Episode 21
Ron claims that Dwayne has Jesse Jackson's endorsement for student government president.
Sunday, February 8
There's No Place Like Home
Season 2 • Episode 22
As the semester comes to an end, students make plans for the summer.
Monday, February 9
Do You Take This Woman?
Season 5 • Episode 10
Dwayne gets cold feet, then the potential mothers-in-law clash.
Monday, February 9
Mammy Dearest
Season 5 • Episode 11
Whitley plans a slave-art exhibit until she learns her family heritage.
Monday, February 9
Just Another Four-Letter Word
Season 5 • Episode 13
Ron is forced to move out of his apartment after he spends the rent money pursuing his music career.
Monday, February 9
The Cat's in the Cradle
Season 5 • Episode 14
Ron, Dwayne and members of a rival school share a cell after a racial clash.
Tuesday, February 10
Prisoner of Love
Season 5 • Episode 15
Dwayne and Ron are suspicious of a new student who attracts Whitley.
Tuesday, February 10
Bedroom at the Top
Season 5 • Episode 16
Whitley is sexually harassed, then reported as the aggressor.
Tuesday, February 10
May the Best Man Win
Season 5 • Episode 17
An alumnus (Joe Morton) running for Congress enlists Whitley.
Tuesday, February 10
Kiss You Back
Season 5 • Episode 18
Whitley's whirlwind romance puts Dwayne temporarily out of the picture.
Wednesday, February 11
Conflict of Interest
Season 5 • Episode 19
A couple's relationship is threatened when only she is accepted to Hillman.
Wednesday, February 11
Sellmates
Season 5 • Episode 20
A car buyer (Jana Marie Hupp) outwits Ron in his new job; Kim hears from a medical school.
Wednesday, February 11
Do the Write Thing
Season 5 • Episode 21
Lena's fallacious essay on her father wins her a journalism scholarship.
Wednesday, February 11
Love Taps
Season 5 • Episode 22
Lena suspects a rapper is abusing Gina. Directed by Kadeem Hardison.
Thursday, February 12
Save the Best for Last
Season 5 • Episode 24
Dwayne visits Whitley the night before her wedding to apologize for his mistakes.
Thursday, February 12
Save the Best for Last
Season 5 • Episode 25
Dwayne attends the wedding, and Whitney realizes that she can not marry Byron.
Thursday, February 12
Honeymoon in L.A. Part 1
Season 6 • Episode 1
Whitley and Dwayne tell new students about their honeymoon in Los Angeles.
Thursday, February 12
Honeymoon in L.A. Part 2
Season 6 • Episode 2
Separated honeymooners Dwayne and Whitley struggle to reunite.
Thursday, February 12
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Season 2 • Episode 14
Couples at Hillman College experience broken hearts and discord as Valentine's Day approaches.
Thursday, February 12
For She's Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage
Season 2 • Episode 15
Whitley's mother (Diahann Carroll) is determined to find a boyfriend for her daughter.
Thursday, February 12
It's Greek to Me
Season 2 • Episode 16
Dwayne and Ron's friendship is strained after they pledge a fraternity.
Thursday, February 12
The Thing About Women
Season 2 • Episode 17
Walter becomes jealous when Jaleesa's ex-husband, Lamar, shows up.
Thursday, February 12
High Anxiety
Season 2 • Episode 18
Kim takes on too many responsibilities; Mr. Gaines moves in with Col. Taylor.
Thursday, February 12
Take This Job and Love It
Season 2 • Episode 19
Kim gets Whitley a job at the Pit to help pay for the car she damaged.
Thursday, February 12
No Means No
Season 2 • Episode 20
Dwayne fears Freddie may face date rape when she goes out with an aggressive athlete (Taimak).
Thursday, February 12
Citizen Wayne
Season 2 • Episode 21
Ron claims that Dwayne has Jesse Jackson's endorsement for student government president.
Friday, February 13
There's No Place Like Home
Season 2 • Episode 22
As the semester comes to an end, students make plans for the summer.
Friday, February 13
Strangers on a Plane
Season 3 • Episode 1
Whitley encounters a new Dwayne on the plane ride back to school.
Friday, February 13
The Heat Is On
Season 3 • Episode 2
Whitley's avoidance of math classes threatens her chances of graduating.
Friday, February 13
The Hat Makes the Man
Season 3 • Episode 3
Tensions run high in the dorm when new director Walter clashes with Jaleesa.
Friday, February 13
To Have and Have Not
Season 3 • Episode 4
Whitley loses faith in her youth-center dance students when her pocketbook disappears.
Friday, February 13
Forever Hold Your Peace
Season 3 • Episode 5
Dwayne drives Whitley to her father's wedding.
Friday, February 13
Interior Desecration or Sofa, So Good
Season 6 • Episode 3
Whitley and Dwayne try to combine their possessions in the new apartment.
Friday, February 13
Somebody Say Ho!
Season 6 • Episode 4
Terrell is charged with verbally abusing Charmaine in Dwayne's class.
Friday, February 13
Really Gross Anatomy
Season 6 • Episode 5
Kim gets sick dissecting her first cadaver.
Friday, February 13
Don't Count Your Chickens Before They're Axed
Season 6 • Episode 6
Whitley persuades Dwayne to buy an expensive painting, then loses her job.
Monday, February 16
The Little Mister
Season 6 • Episode 7
In Dwayne's dream, Whitley is running for president against other women.
Monday, February 16
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Season 6 • Episode 8
Whitley phones Montel Williams for marital advice.
Monday, February 16
Faith, Hope & Charity
Season 6 • Episode 9
Dwayne's mother, Mrs. Gilbert and her date go to the Waynes' for Thanksgiving.
Monday, February 16
Faith, Hope & Charity
Season 6 • Episode 10
Dwayne's mother, Mrs. Gilbert and her date go to the Waynes' for Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, February 17
The Original Teacher
Season 6 • Episode 11
Dwayne tries to dissuade rival gang members from giving up on their friendship.
Tuesday, February 17
Occupational Hazards
Season 6 • Episode 12
Whitley files for unemployment and encounters an officious claims officer (Alaina Reed-Hall).
Tuesday, February 17
To Whit, With Love
Season 6 • Episode 14
Dwayne lends a hand when Whitley teaches a remedial class; Lena tries to get a date with Dorian.
Tuesday, February 17
To Whit, With Love
Season 6 • Episode 14
Dwayne lends a hand when Whitley teaches a remedial class; Lena tries to get a date with Dorian.
Wednesday, February 18
Happy Birthday to Moi
Season 6 • Episode 15
Dwayne plans with Kim to stay one step ahead of Whitley, who wants to plan her own birthday party.
Wednesday, February 18
Lean on Me
Season 6 • Episode 19
Dwayne learns an ex-flame will interview him for a coveted summer job.
Wednesday, February 18
Dancing Machines
Season 6 • Episode 20
Unrest breaks out at a dance marathon fund-raiser for peace.
Wednesday, February 18
Cabin in the Sky
Season 6 • Episode 21
Second honeymooners Dwayne and Whitley must share a cabin with the Gaineses.
Thursday, February 19
Homey, Don't Ya Know Me?
Season 6 • Episode 23
Lena's old boyfriend (Tupac Shakur) from Baltimore comes to visit.
Thursday, February 19
Great X-Pectations
Season 6 • Episode 22
Terrell is caught with a handgun in the classroom; Spencer proposes to Kim.
Thursday, February 19
When One Door Closes ...
Season 6 • Episode 17
A Japanese corporation woos Dwayne for his software; Whitley is pregnant.
Thursday, February 19
When One Door Closes ...
Season 6 • Episode 18
A Japanese corporation woos Dwayne for his software; Whitley is pregnant.
Thursday, February 19
Delusions of Daddyhood
Season 3 • Episode 6
Despite Whitley's objections, rap group Heavy D. & the Boyz arrive at Hillman for a benefit concert.
Thursday, February 19
Wedding Bells From Hell
Season 3 • Episode 7
Romance is in the air as Walter pops the question to Jaleesa and Dwayne asks Whitley to date him.
Thursday, February 19
Great Expectations
Season 3 • Episode 8
After her father nixes a rock-concert trip, Kim still goes and leaves Whitley to cover for her.
Thursday, February 19
Answered Prayers
Season 3 • Episode 9
The gang rushes Kim to see her policeman father, who has been shot while on duty.
Thursday, February 19
Under One Roof
Season 3 • Episode 11
Whitley misinterprets an invitation to stay at the dean's house for a weekend.
Thursday, February 19
Here's to Old Friends
Season 3 • Episode 12
Dwayne's friend comes for a visit and tries to convince him to transfer.
Friday, February 20
The Power of the Pen
Season 3 • Episode 13
Whitley misconstrues Dwayne's beautiful poetry about mathematics as verses intended for her.
Friday, February 20
Pride and Prejudice
Season 3 • Episode 14
Whitley deals with a sales clerk's (Peggy Walton-Walker) racism.
Friday, February 20
Success, Lies and Videotape
Season 3 • Episode 15
A visit by Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) prompts the students to think about their career goals.
Friday, February 20
A World Alike
Season 3 • Episode 16
Kim is offered a scholarship by a company with South African ties.
Friday, February 20
Reconcilable Differences
Season 1 • Episode 1
Denise begins her sophomore year at Hillman and requests a room change, ending up with Whitley.
Friday, February 20
Pilot
Season 1 • Episode 2
Denise finds out that her dorm payment check bounced and that her checking account is overdrawn.
Friday, February 20
Porky De Bergerac
Season 1 • Episode 3
Denise has to live with the repercussions of breaking one of the monitor's new rules.
Friday, February 20
Those Who Can't ... Tutor
Season 1 • Episode 4
Dwayne tutors Denise in calculus and has to leave the all female dormitory via the fire escape.
News aboutA Different World
Bah, Humbug? 9 TV Shows That Adapted ‘A Christmas Carol’
‘A Different World’ Spinoff: Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer & Darryl M. Bell To Reprise Original Roles
The Cast of ‘A Different World’: Where Are They Now?
23 Best Sitcom Kisses of All Time, Ranked
‘A Different World’ Sequel? 7 Musician Cameos We Hope to See in Potential Series (PHOTOS)
The Best Classic TV Shows Streaming on Max
Grading TV’s 16 Most Memorable Teachers Ever
Sinbad Makes First Public Appearance Since 2020 Stroke (VIDEO)
‘A Different World’ Ended 30 Years Ago: Where’s the Cast Now?
‘A Different World’ & ‘Sparkle’ Star Mary Alice Dies
8 College-Set Shows, Ranked From Least To Most Realistic
Sinbad Recovering After Suffering From Stroke
‘A Different World’ 30th Anniversary: Binge-Watch Memorable Episodes During TV One’s Marathon
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services