Episode 1
Reconcilable Differences
During her first few days at Hillman College, Denise Huxtable finds herself at odds with her new roommate, Jaleesa, a 26-year-old freshman with a mysterious past.
Where to watch A Different World
TV series
A Different World
1987TV-PG6 seasons7.1 / 10
A Different World is a spin-off series from The Cosby Show and originally centered on Denise Huxtable and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional mixed but historically black college in the state of Virginia. After Bonet's departure in the first season, the remainder of the series primarily focused more on Southern belle Whitley Gilbert and mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne. The series frequently depicted members of the major historically black fraternities and sororities.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
A Different World is available to stream on Netflix and Philo in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Synopsis
A Different World is a spin-off series from The Cosby Show and originally centered on Denise Huxtable and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional mixed but historically black college in the state of Virginia. After Bonet's departure in the first season, the remainder of the series primarily focused more on Southern belle Whitley Gilbert and mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne. The series frequently depicted members of the major historically black fraternities and sororities.
Season 1 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 2
Pilot
Denise's financial irresponsibility might get her and Jaleesa thrown out of the dorm.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 3
Porky de Bergerac
Questionable tactics abound when Denise plays dating games and Jaleesa is elected dorm monitor.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 4
Those Who Can't... Tutor
Denise's calculus tutor Dwayne is caught sneaking out of Whitley's window after curfew.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 5
War of the Words
Whitley's claim that women can't succeed at both career and family infuriates Lisa and Maggie.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 6
Rudy and the Snow Queen
Rudy visits Hillman and becomes enchanted by Whitley, who tries to make her into the perfect little lady.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 7
Sometimes You Get the Bear, Sometimes the Bear Gets You
The girls plan Operation Yogi, a plot to steal the rival school's bear-head mascot, but a visit from Denise's grandfather makes a boo-boo inevitable.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 8
If Chosen, I May Not Run
In the family tradition of "Combustible" Huxtable, Denise is chosen for Hillman's track team, but after a few practices she starts running out of steam.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 9
Romancing Mr. Stone
A geology professor has every woman in the class fighting for his attention.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 10
The Gift of the Magi
Whitley's secret Santa surprises her with a visit from her newly separated daddy, who walks in with his youthful girlfriend.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 11
Does He or Doesn't He?
Tired of being hit on by men, a grad student decides to turn the tables and seduce Dwayne.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 12
Advise and Descent
During finals week, Denise's work suffers because she decides to be a peer counselor, and the girls' looks suffer under test stress.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 13
The Prime of Miss Lettie Bostic
Hillman alumna Lettie Bostic fills in as dorm monitor, but her strongly voiced opinions have the girls considering mutiny.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 14
Wild Child
Lettie pulls some strings to help a student who has been attending classes without enrolling.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 15
Dr. Cupid
Dwayne uses his radio persona "Dr. Cupid" to find a Valentine's Day date, and Denise uses Dr. Cupid to reconcile Lettie and an old love.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 16
The Show Must Go On
Denise and Whitley both think they're the apple of the leading man's eye in a play about the Garden of Eden.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 17
Mr. Hillman
In the name of sexual equality, Denise convinces Dwayne to run in the Miss Hillman Beauty Pageant against Whitley.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 18
Speech Therapy
Whitley hides an illegal humidifier; Jaleesa sweats over her fear of oral reports; Maggie steams over the debt Denise owes her.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 19
Clair's Last Stand
Clair Huxtable visits Denise bearing motherly advice as well as news that conflicts with Denise's summer plans.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 20
If Only for One Night
Whitley panics about spending the summer alone; Dwayne tries a new tack with Denise; and Maggie holds a yard sale.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 21
Come Back, Little Eggby
A psychology experiment in parenting calls for egg-doption, but when Jaleesa loses Maggie's "eggby," she and Denise scramble to find it.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode 22
My Dinner With Theo
Denise strains her brain trying to improve her grades, so she invites Theo up for a weekend of family inspiration.
Where to watch A Different WorldEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
More about A Different World
Cast
Jasmine GuyWhitley Gilbert
Kadeem HardisonDwayne Wayne
Darryl M. BellRon Johnson
Cree SummerFreddie Brooks
Lisa BonetDenise Huxtable
Charnele BrownKim Reese
Lou MyersVernon Gaines
Dawnn LewisJaleesa Vinson-TaylorCredits
- Created by
- Bill Cosby
- Written by
- Yvette Lee Bowser, Thad Mumford, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Judi Ann Mason, Jeffrey Duteil, Adriana Trigiani, Scott S. Gorden, Kevin Kelton, Orlando Jones, Bill Cosby, Joe Gannon, Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra, Karen Kennedy
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 144
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
NBCUnited States
Carsey-Werner CompanyUnited States- Bill Cosby
Themes
approvingcollegeenthusiasticfamiliarinspirationalplayfulracismromantic
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