Netflix will shoot a pilot for A Totally different World, a sequel to the 1987 sitcom, which is able to chronicle Dwayne and Whitley’s daughter’s time at a HBCU. As Deadline reported completely in August, the undertaking had been in improvement on the streamer since final 12 months, and the commissioning of the pilot is a part of that course of. A rep for Netflix declined remark.
That is the second identified pilot pickup at Netflix, whose enterprise is constructed on straight-to-series orders. In 2023, the streamer ordered one other comedy, the single-camera Little Sky, to pilot, whose manufacturing was impacted by the WGA strike. It finally didn’t go to collection.
Like was the case with Little Sky, the Totally different World pilot is a one-off and never a part of a method shift, sources mentioned. The pilot mannequin on the whole is extra typically employed in comedy as a proof of idea for tone, chemistry among the many ensemble solid, comedic timing and different key elements of a profitable collection.
Netflix’s comedy division consists of broadcast veterans who’re properly conscious of the advantages a pilot offers, together with Head of Comedy Tracey Pakosta and VP Andy Weil.
The Totally different World sequel comes from author/govt producer Felicia Satisfaction and govt producers Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood. Allen, Werner, Prince-Bythewood and Bythewood all labored on the unique multi-camera collection, a derivative of The Cosby Present, which ran on NBC for six seasons with Carsey-Werner producing.
As Deadline reported, the sequel was initially envisioned as single-camera. It’s unclear whether or not that has modified. Allen, who’s slated to direct the pilot from a script by Satisfaction, is properly versed in each codecs. The pilot is eying a June shoot in Atlanta, sources mentioned.
A Totally different World adopted Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and her new classmates at Hillman School, a fictional traditionally Black school. Although Bonet exited after one season, the present continued with the main solid of Jasmine Man, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Darryl M. Bell, Sinbad, Charnele Brown, Cree Summer time and Glynn Turman.
The retooled second season continued to observe the scholars’ lives, with the love story between Man’s Whitley Gilbert and Hardison’s Dwayne Wayne on the heart. The sequel will heart on the couple’s youngest daughter, Deborah Wayne, who’s now additionally attending an HBCU (It’s unclear whether or not will probably be Hillman, which was the preliminary concept).
Casting is presently underway for Deborah in addition to different college students on the school, all ages 18-20.
At Netflix, Werner lately govt produced That ’90s Present, a sequel to a different basic Carsey-Werner sitcom, That ’70s Present.
Over the previous six months, the streamer launched a number of new comedy collection that did properly, shortly incomes Season 2 renewals, together with No one Desires This, A Man on the Inside and Working Level, with Tina Fey’s The 4 Seasons and Chuck Lorre’s Leanne developing.
