Denise Huxtable’s Hillman Homecoming? ‘A Different…
Lisa Bonet and “A Different World” are once again linked in followers’ minds, as Netflix’s buzzy revival of the beloved sitcom has viewers questioning whether or not Bonet’s iconic character, Denise Huxtable, might make a comeback. The query picked up steam after the new sequence dropped a not-so-subtle cliffhanger involving Denise close to the end of its first season.
Source: Jeff Kravitz / Getty
The unique “A Different World” premiered in 1987 as a spinoff of “The Cosby Show,” following Denise as she headed off to faculty at her dad and mom’ alma mater, the fictional HBCU Hillman College. Bonet, however, left the show after its first season to return to “The Cosby Show” full-time, that means her time at Hillman on-screen was comparatively transient. Now that Netflix has revived the franchise, those same questions about Lisa Bonet and “A Different World” are resurfacing, particularly since the new sequence facilities partly on Denise’s son.
What Lisa Bonet And “A Different World” Castmates Have Said About a Return
The Netflix sequel introduces Ellington (Vincent Jamal Hooper), Denise’s son, who is carrying on the household custom of attending Hillman. Things acquired even more attention-grabbing when Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) obtained a telephone call from Denise herself during the season, leaving followers to speculate about whether or not Bonet would possibly finally seem on screen again for the not too long ago announced sophomore season.
PEOPLE caught up with a number of forged members to get their take on the chance, and the reactions had been telling. “That’s a cliffhanger,” said Jasmine Guy, 64, who reprises her position as Whitley Gilbert-Wayne. Cree Summer, 57, who returns as Freddie Brooks, agreed, calling it “a real cliffhanger.” Summer added a more personal be aware about Bonet, saying, “That’s my sister. But I can tell you, even if I begged, I don’t think she would come back.”
Darryl M. Bell, 63, who reprises his position as Ron Johnson, supplied a comparable read on the state of affairs. “I think she… has decided there’s a different path in life,” he said, suggesting Bonet has moved nicely past her Hillman days both personally and professionally.
Bonet’s last notable connection to the franchise got here back in 2006, when she reunited with the forged for Nick-at-Nite vignettes during an “A Different World” marathon called “Hillman College Reunion Week.” In that footage, she gave a transient update as Denise, saying, “After Hillman, I got married, had a baby, traveled some.” It’s a line that, in hindsight, strains up loosely with Denise now having a college-aged son in the new sequence.
Bonet wasn’t the only unique forged member who departed after a single season. Marisa Tomei, who performed Maggie Lauten in Season 1, also exited early on. Tomei, 61, opened up about her friendship with Bonet during a February 2024 look on “Today with Hoda and Jenna,” revealing the 2 had been roommates while filming. “We’re very close, and during that time too, she had a house in Venice, and I moved in with her, and we shot the show. We were roommates at the same time,” Tomei shared. “It was really, really fun.” The two have remained close ever since.
While a Bonet look stays unsure, the Netflix revival itself isn’t going wherever anytime soon. The sequel sequence was renewed for a second season shortly after its September twenty fourth premiere, following a wave of social media buzz dubbed “Hillman hysteria.” Showrunner Felicia Pride credited the followers for the renewal, writing on Instagram, “Let’s run it back. A Different World has been renewed for Season 2!!!!!! And we couldn’t have done it without the most amazing audience.” Debbie Allen, who directed dozens of episodes of the unique sequence and returned behind the digital camera for the revival, echoed that pleasure, writing, “YAY! HALLELUJAH! The people and NETFLIX have spoken.”
So while the door to a Lisa Bonet and “A Different World” reunion doesn’t seem to be totally closed, her former castmates appear uncertain it should really occur. For now, followers may have to settle for Denise’s legacy dwelling on through her son, and wait to see what Season 2 has in store.
The post Denise Huxtable’s Hillman Homecoming? ‘A Different World’ Stars Jasmine Guy & Cree Summer Address Whether Lisa Bonet Will Return In Netflix Revival appeared first on GWN.
