Alijah Kai is headed to Hillman College!
The daughter of actress and singer Tichina Arnold has been cast in Netflix’s upcoming A Different World sequel. The 21-year-old will play Rashida in the modern take on the beloved sitcom that celebrated life at a historically Black college.
Proud mom Tichina couldn’t hide her excitement over the news, sharing on Instagram, “Oh Happy Day!! My baby booked a GREAT job on @Netflix. Congratulations @alijahkai and to this amazing cast! Rock out baby girl. Proud of you. Have FUN!”
Actress Tisha Campbell also cheered on her goddaughter in a sweet post, writing, “Congrats to my goddaughter on being apart of the cast of the new Different World. series OAN. Alijah Kai is Tichina Arnold 3,0! But when you see her….You see me! Period.”
The 10-episode comedy will follow Deborah Wayne (played by Hell of a Summer star Maleah Joi Moon), the daughter of original series icons Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, as she begins her freshman year at Hillman. Surrounded by a new circle of friends, Deborah is ready to create her own legacy while navigating the pressures of her parents’ legendary past.
Grey’s Anatomy and Bel-Air alum Felicia Pride will serve as showrunner, with A Different World legend Debbie Allen returning to direct several episodes, including the premiere. The ensemble also features Chibuikem Uche, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, and Kennedi Reece.
“It’s such an honor to be part of bringing back this iconic show,” Pride said in a statement. “I’m so proud of the work we’re doing to reimagine A Different World for both longtime fans and a new generation.”
The original series debuted in 1987, following Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and her classmates at the fictional HBCU. Though Bonet departed after one season, the show became a cultural classic thanks to stars Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Sinbad, and more.
Production on the Netflix sequel kicks off February 5 and runs through April 27.
