The CosbyVerse (which nobody should ever call it) may be resurrected after all. Netflix has ordered a pilot for “The Coby Show” spin-off, “A Different World. The series has reportedly been in development since August of last year and would take place in the same setting as the original series, the fictitious Hillman College. The main character would be the daughter of the original main characters (post season 1) Dwayne and Whitley, played by Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy, respectively.
It’s probably a given that Hardison and Guy will reprise their roles as both actors have stayed active throughout the years and have even had an onscreen reunion on the show “K.C. Undercover”…whcih means the chemistry is likely still there from the original and fans will want to see that just like they wanted to see Eric and Donna in “That 90’s Show”. We are also hopeful to see Lisa Bonet (who was allegedly mistreated) return as well as Oscar Winner Marisa Tomei, who had a 22 episode run on the series.
The series has reportedly been in development since August of last year and would
take place in the same setting as the original series, the fictitious Hillman College.
Usually revivals of popular show aren’t particularly surpassing as network execs and studio execs don’t seem to like to take chances anymore – even though more shows than ever are greenly these days. They always seem to want existing star power and/or a revival/soft reboot factor. They want to recreate the “Cobra Kai” magic and well, can you blame them? What is surprising about this particular revival is that Netflix ordered a pilot. That is standard practice in the industry, a rule of thumb which Netflix has ignored for almost the entire of its existence. It was only in 2023 that they ever even ordered a pilot and this one is of a popular series from back in the day whcih can appeal to a younger and older generation. So, what gives?
Netflix does have the experience of 4 EP’s that worked on the original series as well as Writer/EP Felicia Pride who most notably worked on “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Queen Sugar” and “Bel-Air” so it’s confusing why they haven’t at least ordered a small season. Netflix states that they are not changing their overall way of doing business but this one is a real head scratcher.
What do you think? Why is Netflix not confident enough in this project to order 4 or 6 measly episodes? Could this signal a changing of the guard and a more traditional approach to putting put TV shows? As Netflix has already kind of broken the way everyone watches TV, maybe it’s a little late for that.
Will this Revival get at least a full season to prove itself? Let us know your opinion in the comments below!
