HBCU alums turned actors bring their own college experiences to roles in ‘A Different World’ sequel
Memories of Morehouse, Howard and North Carolina A&T helped shape grads’ portrayals
For decades, historically Black Hillman College existed only on television, but it became a little more real for actor Dasan Frazier when Netflix’s A Different World revival came to Morehouse College.
Frazier, who plays the character of Xavier in the sequel, returned to his alma mater earlier this year to film scenes for the new series. The familiar setting gave Frazier, class of ’22, an opportunity to draw on his HBCU memories while helping portray a new generation of students navigating life at Hillman.
Nearly four decades after the original sitcom’s 1987 premiere, the sequel is attempting to re-create the Black college experience. This time, the air of authenticity isn’t coming solely from research or a writers room. The 10-episode new season, which premieres today, includes alums of historically Black colleges and universities portraying multiple roles through the lens of their own college experiences.
The setting of the production also lends it credibility. The new series was filmed extensively across the Atlanta University Center (AUC) at Morehouse, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University.
“I remember being at Morehouse my freshman and sophomore year and seeing different productions while they were there, and I just knew in my mind that I always wanted to be a part of that,” Frazier said. “Coming back into film and then to do it for such a recognizable, high-profile show that we’re on – it was a blessing.”
While filming at Morehouse, Frazier helped his castmates navigate the campus, such as finding the nearest restroom. He also helped them understand AUC culture and traditions like strolling, using his connections to invite students to perform in front of the cast.
“Strolling is a big thing at Morehouse and the AUC in general, like, all the schools have stroll teams, even freshman stroll teams. Everybody really got to see how it goes and gets down at an HBCU in the AUC,” Frazier said. “For me, having them see that and me seeing that again was a great moment.
“It was a beautiful moment because it not only probably gave the writers ideas of what they could use, but it put everybody in that feel. It was a great time for me to be able to be a vessel and to share that with them.”
As an emerging actor, Frazier was eager to audition when he heard about the A Different World revival. The show’s connection to HBCU culture made the role particularly meaningful for him, so to get on the radar of showrunner Felicia Pride and the production team, he created a series of TikTok videos highlighting different aspects of HBCU life. His family, friends and followers tagged Pride in each video.
The videos, which showcased everything from dorm life to marching bands and classroom culture, eventually helped him earn the role of Xavier, whom Frazier describes as an energetic, socially connected student. Xavier also serves as Hillman’s resident livestreamer, a nod to how prevalent streaming is to a younger audience.
“Every school right now, especially our generation, there’s somebody that’s got YouTube [or] Twitch. I think it’s cool that [the writers] added that aspect to connect with this generation to show the layers of characters that we have,” Frazier said. “Just like the original series was modern to its time … the generation that we’re in now, they will be able to see more of themselves in what we’re doing.”
Though Frazier had seen individual episodes of the original series, he had never binged it from beginning to end. That changed as he prepared to audition for the role of Xavier, wanting to immerse himself in the original series to better understand the world he wanted to join.
Once filming began, Frazier also had an opportunity to learn directly from members of the original cast, including Kadeem Hardison, who played the role of Dwayne Wayne, and Cree Summer, who portrayed Winifred “Freddie” Brooks. Frazier picked their brains about the original series, asking questions about their characters and time on set.
“They were giving me insight and some great gems, and I had great conversations with almost everybody, all the OGs,” Frazier said. “I just took the lessons that they taught me, shared with me, and I’ll forever hold them with me because they didn’t have to do that. And for us to be continuing what they started over 30 years ago, that’s truly a blessing.”
Howard University alumna Kennedi Reece, class of ‘26, was completing her senior year of college when she was cast as college freshman Hazel Henry in the revival.
Reece said she was drawn to the script because the writers understood the nuances of HBCU culture and captured details that felt authentic to her own undergraduate experience.
“Certain things, I was like, ‘Oh my God, they got that right! And I would explain it [to other cast members]. Especially with the royal court and stuff, that’s a very big HBCU thing. I’m like, ‘Y’all, I don’t think you understand – it gets intense out here,” Reece said. “So it was super fun to just share my stories of being at an HBCU and seeing how it compares to what we’re doing on screen.”
As one of the main cast members, Reece brings her Howard experience to the role of Hazel, a wide-eyed freshman who arrives at Hillman eager to find her place. Reece sees plenty of herself in the character, particularly the shared experience of growing up in predominantly white communities before attending an HBCU.
She said she was able to draw on the culture shock and excitement she felt when she first arrived at Howard. She believes Hazel’s situation will resonate with many viewers and emphasize the value of being “unapologetically yourself.”
“In this day and age, especially with social media, there’s so much comparison going on, and people are just trying to be someone other than themselves,” Reece said. “They’re trying to put on a front, put on a facade. I feel like that’s an epidemic that’s really hitting especially Gen Z these days.
“I’m really hoping that Hazel, just with her bubbly personality, her refusal to lessen her sparkle, will really speak to Gen Z and speak honestly to anybody. I’ve learned from her, too, just to push and not censor myself for anyone.”
Reece said Howard taught her discipline and the importance of giving her best effort, and she carried those lessons onto the set. She has received messages from former classmates, as well as Howard alumni she has never met, offering encouragement and expressing pride in seeing her represent their shared alma mater.
Those sentiments have reinforced the sense of connection she feels with the Bison community.
“The support is so overwhelming, and I think that one of my favorite parts about being on the show is just that I can be a representation, especially for fine art students at HBCUs, that it is possible,” Reece said.
“This industry is super, super hard, and I was lucky enough to be able to be launched into it while I was still in school. But it’s so fulfilling to me to be able to be that representation of a young Black actress in Hollywood now.”
North Carolina A&T graduate Joshua Suiter, class of ’22, remembers his first time watching the original A Different World. Southern belle Whitley Gilbert, played by actress Jasmine Guy, instantly captured his attention.
“I remember hearing her, and I’m like, “Who is this with this funky accent talking? You don’t hear people talk like that,” Suiter said, laughing.
He remembers watching the show regularly during his college days, often returning to his dorm between classes to view a few episodes, and found it affecting to watch a portrayal of HBCU life while experiencing it himself.
Now, just a few years later, Suiter finds himself on the set of the sequel, learning from the actors who helped create the world he once watched on television. He portrays the role of Andre, a star quarterback at Hillman.
Suiter attended North Carolina A&T from 2018 to 2022. During his time there, he watched the Aggies win two of their four Celebration Bowl championships, memories that helped shape his understanding of the energy surrounding HBCU football. He is channeling those insights into Andre, whom Suiter describes as the kind of person who will leave viewers divided over whether they love him – or love to hate him.
Like Frazier, Suiter has leaned on Summers and other members of the original cast while filming the new season. He said they have offered the younger actors encouragement and advice as they build their own version of Hillman.
Hearing veterans of the series say that they see the same chemistry, camaraderie and “magic” in the new cast has been extremely meaningful for Suiter given the impact of the original show.
“The encouragement fills you up with the courage to go and continue because there’s a lot that comes with being in this industry, finding your way and finding value in who you are and your story and your voice,” Suiter said. “But to have the people that encourage you and inspire you to do what you do tell you that you’re amazing, beautiful, talented, and you have a great spirit – it’s invaluable.
“There’s not a price that you can put on something like that, and you carry it with you on the good days [and] on the hard days.”
Suiter believes the sequel to A Different World comes at a moment when the value of an HBCU education is particularly important. Nearly 40 years after the original, he sees the show’s return as a chance to remind young people of the power of education.
“Now more than ever, we need that influence because there are a lot of factors and people in high places trying to tell us otherwise and trying to remove the importance of educating ourselves as African Americans,” Suiter said. “That’s not a coincidence. … It’s nice that as these new generations form, there is a reminder that knowledge is power. Education is power.”