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.
Tuesday, July 8
War and Peace
Season 4 • Episode 12
Emotions run high as Dwayne's classmates send their friend Zelmer to the Persian Gulf.
Tuesday, July 8
Ex-Communication or Fiance What?
Season 4 • Episode 13
Whitley consults a counselor for help in coping with her feelings about her ex-fiance.
Tuesday, July 8
War and Peace
Season 4 • Episode 12
Emotions run high as Dwayne's classmates send their friend Zelmer to the Persian Gulf.
Tuesday, July 8
Ex-Communication or Fiance What?
Season 4 • Episode 13
Whitley consults a counselor for help in coping with her feelings about her ex-fiance.
Tuesday, July 8
Risk Around the Dollar
Season 4 • Episode 14
Whitley needs to replace the rent money she spent; Terrance wants to become a Muslim.
Tuesday, July 8
Love, Hillman Style
Season 4 • Episode 15
Whitley and Dwayne argue over her scheme to publish a "Hillman hunks" calendar.
Wednesday, July 9
A Word in Edgewise
Season 4 • Episode 16
Deaf actors perform at the outreach center; Whitley bets she can zip her lips for a day.
Wednesday, July 9
Ms. Understanding
Season 4 • Episode 17
The battle of the sexes heats up at Hillman, fueled by an article on campus sex roles.
Wednesday, July 9
A Word in Edgewise
Season 4 • Episode 16
Deaf actors perform at the outreach center; Whitley bets she can zip her lips for a day.
Wednesday, July 9
Ms. Understanding
Season 4 • Episode 17
The battle of the sexes heats up at Hillman, fueled by an article on campus sex roles.
Wednesday, July 9
The Cash Isn't Always Greener
Season 4 • Episode 18
Dwayne debates going for the big bucks in business or another degree after graduation.
Wednesday, July 9
How Great Thou Art
Season 4 • Episode 19
Whitley ignores her boss and buys a painting; Freddie hosts a radio talk show.
Thursday, July 10
Showtime at Hillman
Season 4 • Episode 20
Walter hosts a telethon for the community center, but fails to get the phones ringing.
Thursday, July 10
Sister to Sister, Sister
Season 4 • Episode 21
Kim decides to pledge a sorority and finds that Whitley is the pledge mistress.
Thursday, July 10
Showtime at Hillman
Season 4 • Episode 20
Walter hosts a telethon for the community center, but fails to get the phones ringing.
Thursday, July 10
Sister to Sister, Sister
Season 4 • Episode 21
Kim decides to pledge a sorority and finds that Whitley is the pledge mistress.
Thursday, July 10
Monet Is the Root of All Evil
Season 4 • Episode 22
Whitley sponsors an art show that is labeled obscene by an outside group.
Thursday, July 10
If I Should Die Before I Wake
Season 4 • Episode 23
An oratory professor (Whoopi Goldberg) gives her class a unique assignment.
Thursday, July 10
Dream Lover
Season 2 • Episode 4
Whitley is upset by the romantic dreams she has been having about Dwayne.
Thursday, July 10
Three Girls Three
Season 2 • Episode 5
Jaleesa and Whitley are given the chance to become back-up singers for Gladys Knight.
Thursday, July 10
If You Like Pilgrim Coladas
Season 2 • Episode 6
Whitley takes a homesick Kim to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner.
Thursday, July 10
A Stepping Stone
Season 2 • Episode 7
Whitley wants to be the team leader in an interdormitory step competition.
Thursday, July 10
Life With Father
Season 2 • Episode 8
Dwayne falls for his calculus teacher's (Glynn Turman) daughter.
Thursday, July 10
All's Fair
Season 2 • Episode 9
Whitley is squeezed out when Kim's boyfriend (Brian Wesley Thomas) monopolizes their room.
Thursday, July 10
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.
Thursday, July 10
It Happened One Night
Season 2 • Episode 11
Whitley offers her support to Kim when she fears that she may be pregnant.
Friday, July 11
I've Got the Muse in Me
Season 2 • Episode 12
Freddie turns to alcohol when she lacks inspiration in her writing.
Friday, July 11
Risky Business
Season 2 • Episode 13
Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) gives a business etiquette seminar at Hillman.
Friday, July 11
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Season 2 • Episode 14
Couples at Hillman College experience broken hearts and discord as Valentine's Day approaches.
Friday, July 11
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.
Friday, July 11
It's Greek to Me
Season 2 • Episode 16
Dwayne and Ron's friendship is strained after they pledge a fraternity.
Friday, July 11
The Thing About Women
Season 2 • Episode 17
Walter becomes jealous when Jaleesa's ex husband, Lamar, shows up.
Friday, July 11
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.
Friday, July 11
To Be Continued
Season 4 • Episode 25
Whitley faces a post-graduation decision; Ron and his father negotiate with the dean.
Friday, July 11
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.
Friday, July 11
To Be Continued
Season 4 • Episode 25
Whitley faces a post-graduation decision; Ron and his father negotiate with the dean.
Friday, July 11
We've Only Just Begun
Season 5 • Episode 1
Dwayne buys a ring; Whitley eyes another gem.
Friday, July 11
The Dwayne Mutiny
Season 5 • Episode 2
Dwayne is not getting any support when Whitley threatens to walk out and his algebra class mutinies.
Monday, July 14
Home Is Where the Fire Is
Season 5 • Episode 3
Bickering distracts Whitley and Kim from a hazard in Lena's (Jada Pinkett) room.
Monday, July 14
Almost Working Girl
Season 5 • Episode 4
When Jaleesa sends Freddie on a temporary job at Whitley's workplace, she insults an executive.
Monday, July 14
Home Is Where the Fire Is
Season 5 • Episode 3
Bickering distracts Whitley and Kim from a hazard in Lena's (Jada Pinkett) room.
Monday, July 14
Almost Working Girl
Season 5 • Episode 4
When Jaleesa sends Freddie on a temporary job at Whitley's workplace, she insults an executive.
Monday, July 14
In the Eye of the Storm
Season 5 • Episode 5
Ron and Freddie argue and get stuck in the radio studio.
Monday, July 14
Rule Number One ...
Season 5 • Episode 6
Dwayne fails to foresee the consequences of his tutoring Lena; Ron goes into the cosmetics business.
Tuesday, July 15
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.
Tuesday, July 15
Liza Who-Little
Season 5 • Episode 8
Whitley's wealthy cousin Liza (Jasmine Guy in a dual role) goes husband-hunting at Hillman.
Tuesday, July 15
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.
Tuesday, July 15
Liza Who-Little
Season 5 • Episode 8
Whitley's wealthy cousin Liza (Jasmine Guy in a dual role) goes husband-hunting at Hillman.
Tuesday, July 15
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.
Tuesday, July 15
Do You Take This Woman?
Season 5 • Episode 10
Dwayne gets cold feet, then the potential mothers-in-law clash.
Wednesday, July 16
Mammy Dearest
Season 5 • Episode 11
Whitley plans a slave-art exhibit until she learns her family heritage.
Wednesday, July 16
The Twelve Steps of Christmas
Season 5 • Episode 12
Dwayne and Whitley go separately to a Christmas party, unaware the other will be there.
Wednesday, July 16
Mammy Dearest
Season 5 • Episode 11
Whitley plans a slave-art exhibit until she learns her family heritage.
Wednesday, July 16
The Twelve Steps of Christmas
Season 5 • Episode 12
Dwayne and Whitley go separately to a Christmas party, unaware the other will be there.
Wednesday, July 16
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.
Wednesday, July 16
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.
Thursday, July 17
Prisoner of Love
Season 5 • Episode 15
Dwayne and Ron are suspicious of a new student who attracts Whitley.
Thursday, July 17
Bedroom at the Top
Season 5 • Episode 16
Whitley is sexually harassed, then reported as the aggressor.
Thursday, July 17
Prisoner of Love
Season 5 • Episode 15
Dwayne and Ron are suspicious of a new student who attracts Whitley.
Thursday, July 17
Bedroom at the Top
Season 5 • Episode 16
Whitley is sexually harassed, then reported as the aggressor.
Thursday, July 17
May the Best Man Win
Season 5 • Episode 17
An alumnus (Joe Morton) running for Congress enlists Whitley.
Thursday, July 17
Kiss You Back
Season 5 • Episode 18
Whitley's whirlwind romance puts Dwayne temporarily out of the picture.
Thursday, July 17
High Anxiety
Season 2 • Episode 18
Kim takes on too many responsibilities; Mr. Gaines moves in with Col. Taylor.
Thursday, July 17
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, July 17
No Means No
Season 2 • Episode 20
Dwayne fears Freddie may face date rape when she goes out with an aggressive athlete (Taimak).
Thursday, July 17
Citizen Wayne
Season 2 • Episode 21
Ron claims that Dwayne has Jesse Jackson's endorsement for student government president.
Thursday, July 17
There's No Place Like Home
Season 2 • Episode 22
As the semester comes to an end, students make plans for the summer.
Thursday, July 17
Strangers on a Plane
Season 3 • Episode 1
Whitley encounters a new Dwayne on the plane ride back to school.
Thursday, July 17
The Heat Is On
Season 3 • Episode 2
Whitley's avoidance of math classes threatens her chances of graduating.
Thursday, July 17
The Hat Makes the Man
Season 3 • Episode 3
Tensions run high in the dorm when new director Walter clashes with Jaleesa.
Friday, July 18
To Have and Have Not
Season 3 • Episode 4
Whitley loses faith in her youth-center dance students when her pocketbook disappears.
Friday, July 18
Forever Hold Your Peace
Season 3 • Episode 5
Dwayne drives Whitley to her father's wedding.
Friday, July 18
Delusions of Daddyhood
Season 3 • Episode 6
Despite Whitley's objections, rap group Heavy D. & the Boyz arrive at Hillman for a benefit concert.
Friday, July 18
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.
Friday, July 18
Great Expectations
Season 3 • Episode 8
After her father nixes a rock-concert trip, Kim still goes and leaves Whitley to cover for her.
Friday, July 18
Answered Prayers
Season 3 • Episode 9
The gang rushes Kim to see her policeman father, who has been shot while on duty.
Friday, July 18
Conflict of Interest
Season 5 • Episode 19
A couple's relationship is threatened when only she is accepted to Hillman.
Friday, July 18
Sellmates
Season 5 • Episode 20
A car buyer (Jana Marie Hupp) outwits Ron in his new job; Kim hears from a medical school.
Friday, July 18
Conflict of Interest
Season 5 • Episode 19
A couple's relationship is threatened when only she is accepted to Hillman.
Friday, July 18
Sellmates
Season 5 • Episode 20
A car buyer (Jana Marie Hupp) outwits Ron in his new job; Kim hears from a medical school.
Friday, July 18
Do the Write Thing
Season 5 • Episode 21
Lena's fallacious essay on her father wins her a journalism scholarship.
Friday, July 18
Love Taps
Season 5 • Episode 22
Lena suspects a rapper is abusing Gina. Directed by Kadeem Hardison.
Monday, July 21
Save the Best for Last
Season 5 • Episode 24
Dwayne visits Whitley the night before her wedding to apologize for his mistakes.
Monday, July 21
Save the Best for Last
Season 5 • Episode 25
Dwayne attends the wedding, and Whitney realizes that she can not marry Byron.
Monday, July 21
Save the Best for Last
Season 5 • Episode 24
Dwayne visits Whitley the night before her wedding to apologize for his mistakes.
Monday, July 21
Save the Best for Last
Season 5 • Episode 25
Dwayne attends the wedding, and Whitney realizes that she can not marry Byron.
Monday, July 21
Honeymoon in L.A. Part 1
Season 6 • Episode 1
Whitley and Dwayne tell new students about their honeymoon in Los Angeles.
Monday, July 21
Honeymoon in L.A. Part 2
Season 6 • Episode 2
Separated honeymooners Dwayne and Whitley struggle to reunite.
Tuesday, July 22
Interior Desecration or Sofa, So Good
Season 6 • Episode 3
Whitley and Dwayne try to combine their possessions in the new apartment.
Tuesday, July 22
Somebody Say Ho!
Season 6 • Episode 4
Terrell is charged with verbally abusing Charmaine in Dwayne's class.
Tuesday, July 22
Interior Desecration or Sofa, So Good
Season 6 • Episode 3
Whitley and Dwayne try to combine their possessions in the new apartment.
Tuesday, July 22
Somebody Say Ho!
Season 6 • Episode 4
Terrell is charged with verbally abusing Charmaine in Dwayne's class.
Tuesday, July 22
Really Gross Anatomy
Season 6 • Episode 5
Kim gets sick dissecting her first cadaver.
Tuesday, July 22
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.
Wednesday, July 23
The Little Mister
Season 6 • Episode 7
In Dwayne's dream, Whitley is running for president against other women.
Wednesday, July 23
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Season 6 • Episode 8
Whitley phones Montel Williams for marital advice.
Wednesday, July 23
The Little Mister
Season 6 • Episode 7
In Dwayne's dream, Whitley is running for president against other women.
Wednesday, July 23
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Season 6 • Episode 8
Whitley phones Montel Williams for marital advice.
Wednesday, July 23
Faith, Hope & Charity
Season 6 • Episode 9
Dwayne's mother, Mrs. Gilbert and her date go to the Waynes' for Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, July 23
Faith, Hope & Charity
Season 6 • Episode 10
Dwayne's mother, Mrs. Gilbert and her date go to the Waynes' for Thanksgiving.
Thursday, July 24
The Original Teacher
Season 6 • Episode 11
Dwayne tries to dissuade rival gang members from giving up on their friendship.
Thursday, July 24
Occupational Hazards
Season 6 • Episode 12
Whitley files for unemployment and encounters an officious claims officer (Alaina Reed-Hall).
Thursday, July 24
The Original Teacher
Season 6 • Episode 11
Dwayne tries to dissuade rival gang members from giving up on their friendship.
Thursday, July 24
Occupational Hazards
Season 6 • Episode 12
Whitley files for unemployment and encounters an officious claims officer (Alaina Reed-Hall).
Thursday, July 24
White Christmas
Season 6 • Episode 13
Freddie's free-spirited mother (Anita Morris) visits; Whitley works on Christmas day.
Thursday, July 24
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.
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