HBCU alums turned actors carry their very own school experiences to roles in ‘A Different World’ sequel
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For many years, traditionally Black Hillman College existed solely on tv, nevertheless it turned a little bit extra actual for actor Dasan Frazier when Netflix’s A Different World revival got here to Morehouse College.
Frazier, who performs the character of Xavier within the sequel, returned to his alma mater earlier this 12 months to movie scenes for the brand new collection. The acquainted setting gave Frazier, class of ’22, a chance to attract on his HBCU recollections whereas serving to painting a brand new technology of scholars navigating life at Hillman.
Nearly 4 many years after the unique sitcom’s 1987 premiere, the sequel is making an attempt to re-create the Black school expertise. This time, the air of authenticity isn’t coming solely from analysis or a writers room. The 10-episode new stretch, which premieres at present, contains alums of traditionally Black schools and universities portraying a number of roles by means of the lens of their very own school experiences.
The setting of the manufacturing additionally lends it credibility. The new collection was filmed extensively throughout the Atlanta University Center (AUC) at Morehouse, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University.
“I remember being at Morehouse my freshman and sophomore year and seeing different productions while they were there, and I just knew in my mind that I always wanted to be a part of that,” Frazier stated. “Coming back into film and then to do it for such a recognizable, high-profile show that we’re on – it was a blessing.”
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While filming at Morehouse, Frazier helped his castmates navigate the campus, resembling discovering the closest restroom. He additionally helped them perceive AUC tradition and traditions like strolling, utilizing his connections to ask college students to carry out in entrance of the forged.
“Strolling is a big thing at Morehouse and the AUC in general, like, all the schools have stroll teams, even freshman stroll teams. Everybody really got to see how it goes and gets down at an HBCU in the AUC,” Frazier stated. “For me, having them see that and me seeing that once more was a terrific second.
“It was a beautiful moment because it not only probably gave the writers ideas of what they could use, but it put everybody in that feel. It was a great time for me to be able to be a vessel and to share that with them.”
As an rising actor, Frazier was desperate to audition when he heard in regards to the A Different World revival. The present’s connection to HBCU tradition made the function significantly significant for him, so to get on the radar of showrunner Felicia Pride and the manufacturing unit, he created a collection of TikTok movies highlighting totally different elements of HBCU life. His household, buddies and followers tagged Pride in every video.
The movies, which showcased all the pieces from dorm life to marching bands and classroom tradition, ultimately helped him earn the function of Xavier, whom Frazier describes as an lively, socially related scholar. Xavier additionally serves as Hillman’s resident livestreamer, a nod to how prevalent streaming is to a youthful viewers.
“Every school right now, especially our generation, there’s somebody that’s got YouTube [or] Twitch. I think it’s cool that [the writers] added that aspect to connect with this generation to show the layers of characters that we have,” Frazier stated. “Just like the original series was modern to its time … the generation that we’re in now, they will be able to see more of themselves in what we’re doing.”
Though Frazier had seen particular person episodes of the unique collection, he had by no means binged it from starting to finish. That modified as he ready to audition for the function of Xavier, desirous to immerse himself within the authentic collection to higher perceive the world he wished to affix.
Once filming started, Frazier additionally had a chance to study immediately from members of the unique forged, together with Kadeem Hardison, who performed the function of Dwayne Wayne, and Cree Summer, who portrayed Winifred “Freddie” Brooks. Frazier picked their brains in regards to the authentic collection, asking questions on their characters and time on set.
“They were giving me insight and some great gems, and I had great conversations with almost everybody, all the OGs,” Frazier stated. “I just took the lessons that they taught me, shared with me, and I’ll forever hold them with me because they didn’t have to do that. And for us to be continuing what they started over 30 years ago, that’s truly a blessing.”
Howard University alumna Kennedi Reece, class of ‘26, was finishing her senior 12 months of school when she was forged as school freshman Hazel Henry within the revival.
Reece stated she was drawn to the script as a result of the writers understood the nuances of HBCU tradition and captured particulars that felt genuine to her personal undergraduate expertise.
“Certain things, I was like, ‘Oh my God, they got that right! And I would explain it [to other cast members]. Especially with the royal court and stuff, that’s a very big HBCU thing. I’m like, ‘Y’all, I don’t think you understand – it gets intense out here,” Reece stated. “So it was super fun to just share my stories of being at an HBCU and seeing how it compares to what we’re doing on screen.”
As one of many primary forged members, Reece brings her Howard expertise to the function of Hazel, a wide-eyed freshman who arrives at Hillman keen to seek out her place. Reece sees loads of herself within the character, significantly the shared expertise of rising up in predominantly white communities earlier than attending an HBCU.
She stated she was in a position to attract on the tradition shock and pleasure she felt when she first arrived at Howard. She believes Hazel’s state of affairs will resonate with many viewers and emphasize the worth of being “unapologetically yourself.”
“In this day and age, especially with social media, there’s so much comparison going on, and people are just trying to be someone other than themselves,” Reece stated. “They’re attempting to placed on a entrance, placed on a facade. I really feel like that’s an epidemic that’s actually hitting particularly Gen Z lately.
“I’m really hoping that Hazel, just with her bubbly personality, her refusal to lessen her sparkle, will really speak to Gen Z and speak honestly to anybody. I’ve learned from her, too, just to push and not censor myself for anyone.”
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Reece stated Howard taught her self-discipline and the significance of giving her finest effort, and she or he carried these classes onto the set. She has acquired messages from former classmates, in addition to Howard alumni she has by no means met, providing encouragement and expressing pleasure in seeing her signify their shared alma mater.
Those sentiments have bolstered the sense of connection she feels with the Bison neighborhood.
“The support is so overwhelming, and I think that one of my favorite parts about being on the show is just that I can be a representation, especially for fine art students at HBCUs, that it is possible,” Reece stated.
“This industry is super, super hard, and I was lucky enough to be able to be launched into it while I was still in school. But it’s so fulfilling to me to be able to be that representation of a young Black actress in Hollywood now.”
North Carolina A&T graduate Joshua Suiter, class of ’22, remembers his first time watching the unique A Different World. Southern belle Whitley Gilbert, performed by actress Jasmine Guy, immediately captured his consideration.
“I remember hearing her, and I’m like, “Who is this with this funky accent talking? You don’t hear people talk like that,” Suiter stated, laughing.
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He remembers watching the present repeatedly throughout his school days, usually returning to his dorm between lessons to view a number of episodes, and located it affecting to observe a portrayal of HBCU life whereas experiencing it himself.
Now, only a few years later, Suiter finds himself on the set of the sequel, studying from the actors who helped create the world he as soon as watched on tv. He portrays the function of Andre, a star quarterback at Hillman.
Suiter attended North Carolina A&T from 2018 to 2022. During his time there, he watched the Aggies conquer two of their 4 Celebration Bowl championships, recollections that helped form his understanding of the vitality surrounding HBCU pig skin. He is channeling these insights into Andre, whom Suiter describes because the type of one who will go away viewers divided over whether or not they love him – or like to hate him.
Like Frazier, Suiter has leaned on Summers and different members of the unique forged whereas filming the brand new stretch. He stated they’ve provided the youthful actors encouragement and recommendation as they construct their very own model of Hillman.
Hearing veterans of the collection say that they see the identical chemistry, camaraderie and “magic” within the new forged has been extraordinarily significant for Suiter given the impression of the unique present.
“The encouragement fills you up with the courage to go and continue because there’s a lot that comes with being in this industry, finding your way and finding value in who you are and your story and your voice,” Suiter stated. “But to have the people who encourage you and encourage you to do what you do inform you that you simply’re wonderful, stunning, proficient, and you’ve got a terrific spirit – it’s invaluable.
“There’s not a price that you can put on something like that, and you carry it with you on the good days [and] on the hard days.”
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Suiter believes the sequel to A Different World comes at a second when the worth of an HBCU training is especially essential. Nearly 40 years after the unique, he sees the present’s return as an opportunity to remind younger individuals of the ability of training.
“Now more than ever, we need that influence because there are a lot of factors and people in high places trying to tell us otherwise and trying to remove the importance of educating ourselves as African Americans,” Suiter stated. “That’s not a coincidence. … It’s nice that as these new generations form, there is a reminder that knowledge is power. Education is power.”
Mia Berry is the senior HBCU author for Andscape and covers all the pieces from sports activities to student-led protests. She is a Detroit native (What up Doe!), long-suffering Detroit sports activities fan and Notre Dame alumna who randomly shouts, “Go Irish.”
