A Different World (1987)
A Different World is streaming in New Zealand on Netflix.
The verdict
A Different World earns its keep as a steady English series that knows its audience. It's sitting at 7.2/10 on TMDB across 77 ratings, which puts it comfortably above average. Episode length hovers around 22 minutes. In New Zealand you can stream it on Netflix.
Is it worth starting?
This is 6 seasons deep — English comedy with family threaded through. Starting now means a backlog — worth knowing before you press play.
Don't watch this if…
- you'd rather wait for a consensus. Only 77 ratings in so far
- you're not starting a 6-season show this week
- Why
- 7.2/10 from 77 ratings — well received so far, on a modest sample.
- Skip if
- a backlog this size is the opposite of what you're after
- Best for
- A proper binge, once you've got the weeks for it
Story
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.
Good to know
| Runtime | ~22 min per episode |
| Genre | Comedy / Family |
| Language | English |
| Best screen | Stream at home |
Director
Bill Cosby
Cast
Where to watch in New Zealand
Included with a subscription — no extra charge on these platforms.
Availability as of 27 Sept 2026 — platforms may change over time.
More: Everything new on Netflix · All Netflix titles in New Zealand
Trailer
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