Denise Huxtable found herself college bound after the third season of The Cosby Show (1984-1992). Her obvious choice for higher education was Hillman College, the alma mater of Cliff, Claire and Russell Huxtable. Among the student body were Denise's roommates Jaleesa Vinson and Maggie Lauten, one of the few white students at the historically black college. Southern belle Whitley Gilbert and ladies' man Dwayne Wayne rounded out the cast. Cast changes occurred after the first season, with Denise dropping out and Maggie disappearing, making room for new characters Kim and Freddie while stories shifted more to social issues.
The premise for A Different World originally revolved around a white student attending a historically black college, but that then changed to a black student with a white friend at a historically black college. It was decided to spin-off The Cosby Show since Denise Huxtable had graduated high school. After Meg Ryan dropped out, a pre-Oscar Marisa Tomei was cast as Maggie. Prior to the second season's production, Lisa Bonet announced she was pregnant and it was decided to have her character drop out and return home. Denise would travel to Africa during The Cosby Show's fifth season and be off-screen while Bonet was pregnant. Debbie Allen took over the creative reigns to make the series more realistic in its portrayal of a historically black college. A Different World ran for six seasons, and thanks to its lead-in, was a ratings success during its first four seasons.
Location: Hillman College
Address: 350 Spelman Lane, Atlanta, GA 30314
Spelman College
Spelman College is America's oldest historically black college for women and was one of the institutions that inspired Hillman College. Bessie Strong Hall served as Gilbert Hall, the dorm for Denise, Whitley, Jaleesa and Maggie...
Giles Hall is seen as the main classroom building...
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