BROADLINES PODCAST BY THE FEMALE QUOTIENT

There's no federal deadline on when a woman's best chapters can start. On this week's #FQBroadlines, hosts Rae Williams and Natalie Lizarraga sit down with screenwriter, showrunner and founder Felicia Pride to talk about why getting older is actually the advantage. From building Honey Chile, her media company for Black women 40 and over, to taking the keys to a Different World as showrunner, executive producer and head writer on the new sequel series, to the real cost of women believing their best years are already behind them, Felicia is here to make the case that a hot mess 20s and 30s can still lead to your best decade yet. Because coming of age never really ends, it just gets easier with the right tools.

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ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Class is officially back in session at Hillman College.

More than 30 years after the groundbreaking sitcom wrapped its six season-run on NBC, A Different World is getting a new life in the form of a Netflix sequel series. And showrunner Felicia Pride thinks her show is arriving when it’s needed most.

“The time is now to hear from young Black America,” she tells Entertainment Weekly. “From a political standpoint, because of the state that our country is in, and I also think that we’re feeling very disconnected, so we need those television shows that connect us to ourselves, to each other. Those two things colliding in terms of modern times of isolation and loneliness, coupled with a really wild political landscape, gave me a lot of buy-in. I’m like, ‘Can we find a show that will do for Gen Z and Alpha what A Different World did for us?’”

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TV INSIDER

School is back in session at Hillman College, but nearly 40 years after A Different Worldfirst opened its doors, the campus looks a little different.

Netflix’s sequel series brings the beloved HBCU back to the small screen, this time following Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the youngest daughter of Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), as she begins her freshman year. But reviving A Different World in 2026 meant doing more than introducing a new generation of students. It meant figuring out what Hillman itself should look and feel like almost four decades later.

For showrunner Felicia Pride, that meant preserving the places longtime fans remember, while giving viewers a much bigger and more authentic look at HBCU life than the original NBC sitcom could provide.

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LA TIMES

Billed as a sequel series premiering Sept. 24, a Wayne offspring is our anchor for the freshman class at Hillman College, the show’s fictional historically Black college based in Virginia. Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon) is an aspiring artist forced to attend her parents’ alma mater on academic probation after her NYU acceptance is rescinded. As the youngest Wayne child, she continues the family’s legacy at the school: her older sister — the child Whitley was pregnant with at the end of the original series — and an older brother are both alums.

She’s joined by a mix of first-gen and legacy students: star quarterback Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), who is the only child of original character Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell); criminal justice major Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai); psych major Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall); Ghanaian-Nigerian fashion merchandising student Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche); and small-town pastor’s daughter Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece).

Some of the show’s original creative team join Allen as executive producers, including Tom Werner, and original series writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood. (Mandy Summers of “That ’90s Show” is also an executive producer.) To shepherd this reimagined version of the sitcom, Allen enlisted her former “Grey’s Anatomy” colleague Felicia Pride, who was most recently part of the writing staff on “Bel-Air,” the dramatic reboot of ’90s comedy “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” It was a dream call for Pride, who as a kid living in Baltimore recorded and rewatched episodes — namely, the one involving a step competition that she obsessively watched after school to learn the routine. But she was reluctant.

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SISTERS FROM AARP

For the Gen Xers among us, the humorous and heart-tugging A Different World, which ran for six seasons from 1987 to 1993 on NBC, was must-see TV. Set at the fictional Hillman College, the show reflected the richness, complexity and spirit of student life at an HBCU—from Black-centered higher learning and sorority and fraternity step shows to socializing over burgers and fries in the student center. The show still holds a nostalgic place in our collective Cross Colours-wearing memories.

The original A Different World theme song, most notably sung by the late, great Aretha Franklin, still lives in our heads rent-free. For the sequel, premiering on Netflix on September 24th, Brandy picks up the diva torch and puts her raspy, run-filled spin on the catchy tune.

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CNN

First of All host Victor Blackwell visits the set of "A Different World" and speaks to the cast about what to expect from the upcoming sequel series that will soon debut on Netflix.

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ELLE

Class is back in session at Hillman College. Netflix is officially reviving the classic ’90s series A Different World, which followed the lives of students at a fictional HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). The original series starred Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lisa Bonet, Marisa Tomei, and more. Here’s what to know about the upcoming sequel.

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TEEN VOGUE

In a crowded TV landscape dominated by the double-edged sword of revisiting classic IP, few shows demand a revival quite like A Different World—a sitcom that remains a defining cultural touchstone for the Black community.

During its six-season run on NBC, from 1987 to 1993, the Cosby Show spinoff—originally built around the Huxtables’ bohemian daughter Denise—followed the lives of students at Hillman College, a fictional historically Black college in Virginia. Beyond bringing HBCUs into the mainstream, the series sparked real-world change. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, while overall HBCU enrollment rose by 26% between 1976 and 1994, nearly all of that increase happened between 1986 and 1994. This surge was likely influenced by the show’s popularity. A Different World became celebrated for its depiction of Black culture and life, as well as its willingness to tackle heavy, pressing issues affecting young Black people—including racism, police brutality, sexual assault, gun violence, apartheid, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

In the three decades since A Different World went off the air, multiple attempts at a continuation of the story languished in development. But in early 2023, while working as the producing director on Grey’s Anatomy, Debbie Allen—the visionary who is widely credited with revamping the original series after season one to better reflect HBCU life—called up former Grey’s writer Felicia Pride about taking another stab at a reboot.

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FORBES

Although A Different World premiered in 1987, its impact remains long-lasting and continues to influence generations today. Netflix plans to release a sequel series to the iconic sitcom on September 24, 2026. The 10-episode revival follows Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, as she begins her freshman year at their HBCU alma mater, Hillman College.

The series is also bringing back lauded original director and producer Debbie Allen, who returns as an executive producer and director. Felicia Pride, a showrunner, television writer-producer, and award-winning filmmaker, now leads the highly anticipated series. She previously wrote on Queen Sugar and Grey’s Anatomy, where she developed a close creative relationship with Allen.

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ESSENCE

The American Black Film Festival was again held in Miami for its 30th annual celebration, and it continues its mission of highlighting creatives of color across film, television, music, technology, art, and more. It was also host to Netflix’s Celebration of Black Television, paying homage to their new slate of shows. On the 4th floor of the 1 Hotel in South Beach, where the streamer brought together a swath of talent from their platform, included the cast and creators of the upcoming reboot of the iconic series A Different World. 

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VARIETY

Starz' Kathryn Busby, Celeste Hughey, Sony's Lamar Chase and Felicia Pride also receive special awards.

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ROGER EBERT

The Black Women Film Network (BWFN) recently announced its lineup of honorees and programming for its annual Summit. Among their 2026 honorees, the BWFN plans to honor veteran theatre, television, and film actor S. Epatha Merkerson (“Law & Order”), as well as Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”). Merkerson will receive the On Her Shoulders Preservation Award for her lifetime of work on the big and small screens, which currently includes a starring role on NBC’s “Chicago Med.” Brooks will receive the AcceleratHER Award, recognizing her dynamic range and transformative impact across television, film, and Broadway; in addition to “The Color Purple,” she can also be recognized for her breakout role in Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” and HBO’s “Peacemaker.”

Other honorees this year include showrunner, writer, and producer Felicia Pride (“A Different World”), AspireTV EVP Angela Cannon, Burke Entertainment founder Vanzil Burke, and producer and CBS Studios/NAACP Venture president Sheila Duckworth.

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DEADLINE

Felicia Pride‘s (A Different World) Honey Chile Entertainment has acquired the film and television rights to Kristina Forest’s The Greene Sisters romance trilogy from Penguin Random House in a major expansion of the company’s slate.

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HUFFPOST

When Felicia Pride was still a young girl growing up in Baltimore, the TV writer would fittingly spend her days after school watching episodes of the hit sitcom “A Different World” — the HBCU-set series that brought Black higher learning to primetime television, and more importantly, changed Black pop culture forever.

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THE WRAP

Netflix has greenlit a new sequel series, titled “A Different World,” from Debbie Allen, who will return as a director and EP, and Felicia Pride (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Bel-Air”), who serves as showrunner and executive producer. Original writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood will also return to executive produce alongside Mandy Summers and Tom Werner.

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THE GRIO

Felicia Pride can discuss the topic of love with great ease. And not just the romantic kind, but the enduring type formed between family and friends. 

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HER AGENDA

Felicia Pride has always believed in the power of storytelling that resonates with the untold experiences of Black women. With the launch of Honey Chile, a brand targeting women over 40 years old, she is creating a space where Black women can see themselves reflected in stories across various media platforms. 

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DEADLINE

An A Different World sequel series chronicling Dwayne and Whitley’s daughter’s time at Hillman College, is in early development at Netflix, sources tell Deadline. The single-cam, half-hour comedy comes from writer/executive producer Felicia Pride (Bel-Air, Grey’s Anatomy) and executive producers Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood.

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ESSENCE

On day 3 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, director Tina Mabry and screenwriter Felicia Pride discussed their experiences producing some of the biggest Black films and series in Hollywood at ESSENCE Film Festival. 

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2 URBAN GIRLS

Twelve years in the making,TV/film writer, director and award-winning filmmaker Felicia Pride (Really Love, “Queen Sugar,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Bel-Air) launches the podcast companion to The Create Daily: “The Creative Cut Up.” The new talk show is a lively and honest space for underrepresented and marginalized storytellers that sits at the intersection of craft, business and creative freedom.

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SPECTRUM NEWS

A local production company is making waves by spotlighting underrepresented women of color in their 40s and beyond. Felicia Pride, the creative force behind the initiative, is at the helm of this transformative movement.

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SHONDALAND

For many creatives waiting for the strike to end, an added challenge of not working for an extended period is figuring out how to keep their gifts and talents sharp. Shondaland reached out to various creatives to see how they were keeping their creative juices flowing at this time.

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FILM FORWARD

In this episode of Film Forward, she discusses how her work on shows like Grey's Anatomy and Queen Sugar sharpened her craft and prepared her for personal projects like Look Back At It.

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WJZ-TV (CBS)

Our Head Honey, Felicia Pride, sat down with WJZ-TV to talk about the inaugural HONEY CHILE Fest that took place in her hometown Baltimore.

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THE BALTIMORE BANNER

For a woman of a certain age out here in these online dating streets, Felicia Pride’s short film “Look Back At It” is painfully funny, because so much of what 40-something single Baltimore mom Lanae experiences is the stuff of margarita-fueled nightmares.

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BALTIMORE MAGAZINE

Honoring the talent of Black filmmakers over 40, the one-day event will feature a live podcast, Q&A's, and curated films inspired by or about Baltimore.

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THE MOVEABLE FEST

It’s fitting that “Look Back At It” opens with a disruption. At the end of a date that appears it couldn’t have gone any better, Lanae (Angel Laketa Moore) is all ready to ponder the question of whether she’ll be invited inside by her suitor, but ends up having so many more after a tap on the window by a woman who turns out to be his wife.

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SUNDAY PAPER

In honor of Women’s History Month, The Sunday Paper is celebrating extraordinary storytellers with extraordinary stories.

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REUTERS

Despite having mentors when she first started, Pride knew there were obstacles for Black creators, so she started her production company, Honey Chile, which develops content for and by Black women who are 40 and older.

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Telly Awards sat down with Felicia to discuss her unique path through the industry, the best and worst pieces of advice she’s received, and her mission to tell authentic and varied Black stories.

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HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Chile, Please Podcast - hosted by Head Honey, Felicia Pride, and Ivy Elaine - is nominated for the 54th NAACP Image Awards under the Outstanding Lifestyle / Self-Help category.

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BALTIMORE SUN

Felicia Pride, 43, is all about making space where she feels there is none.

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XO NECOLE

Felicia Pride sits down with xoNecole and shares how she plans to amplify Honey voices everywhere.

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FORBES

While, today’s television landscape has widely amplified youthful stories, Felicia Pride, the primetime television writer for shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Queen Sugar shares more on founding a production company that covers the stories of Black women in their forties.

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GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Head Honey Felicia Pride is nominated by Anthony Hill for the 2022 Good Morning America Inspiration List.

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ONYX WOMAN COLLECTIVE

Onyx Woman Collective shouts out Chile, Please as a top podcast to listen to.

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OUR BODY POLITIC

Host Farai Chideya talks with TV writer and filmmaker Felicia Pride about her focus on Honeys in her work in entertainment.

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