RMD Shines in Netflix's New Series ‘A Different World’

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Veteran Nigerian actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, also known as RMD, has made a special appearance in the new Netflix series, A Different World. This role adds another international project to his career.

RMD plays Mr Chukwu in the 2026 Netflix series, appearing in Episode 7 of the sequel to the classic sitcom, A Different World.

The series premiered on Netflix on September 24, 2026, nearly 39 years after the original A Different World first aired on NBC in 1987. The new show brings viewers back to Hillman College, a historically Black college in America, with a new group of students.

RMD’s cameo is alongside a cast that includes Maleah Joi Moon, Alijah Kai, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, Kennedi Reece, and Chibuikem Uche. Some original cast members like Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, and Cree Summer also returned to their roles.

RMD’s Role in the Series

While RMD is not one of the main characters, his role as Mr Chukwu represents a strong Nigerian presence in the new A Different World.

Chibuikem Uche is the primary Nigerian actor in the series. He plays Kojo Achebe, a Ghanaian-Nigerian fashion student at Hillman College.

In Episode 7, Mr Chukwu and his Ghanaian wife surprise their son, Kojo, with a visit at Hillman. They meet some of Kojo's friends. Kojo, who is a fashion entrepreneur, had told his parents he was studying engineering.

His parents worry that he is drifting away from them and have not spoken to him in a while. Kojo is a Ghanaian-Nigerian fashion merchandising student from London. He is at Hillman mainly to please his more traditional parents while chasing his passion for fashion design.

Kojo is part of a core first-year group with Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall), and Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece).

This is not RMD’s first time in an international project. He has appeared in films like Namaste Wahala (2020), Revelations (2025), and the upcoming Children of Blood and Bone.

Another Nigerian Cast

RMD is not the only Nigerian in the series. Chibuikem Uche, who plays Kojo, is a Nigerian who was born in London and moved to Connecticut at age eight.

He is often called British-Nigerian. Before acting, he studied mathematics and worked as an actuary. He has been in other Hollywood films like One of Us Is Lying, The Tomorrow War, and he has appeared in American Housewife and All American.

Review

Netflix’s A Different World is a 10-episode comedy-drama that started on September 24, 2026. It is exactly 39 years after the original NBC sitcom started. Created by Felicia Pride, it goes back to Hillman College. The show follows a new group of students while bringing back some old favorites, successfully updating the classic for Gen Z while keeping its heart and humor.

The story focuses on Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the free-spirited youngest daughter of Whitley Gilbert-Wayne (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison).

Deborah must attend her parents’ alma mater after a setback at NYU. She arrives at Hillman eager to escape their legacy and create her own path. She quickly makes friends with a diverse freshman class that shows the range of Black experiences today: first-gen criminal justice major Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai); star athlete Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV, son of original character Ron Johnson); troubled psychology major Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall); church-raised student Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece); and Ghanaian-Nigerian fashion entrepreneur Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche).

Throughout the academic year, the group faces classic college challenges like roommates, romance, low GPAs, parties, and identity. They also deal with modern issues like funding for HBCUs, campus politics, mental health, sexual health, and family expectations.

The short 10-episode season has its strengths and limits. Some plots feel rushed as the show finds its rhythm, and a few side stories could have used more time.

The early episodes focus on introducing the new cast and reconnecting with past characters. The series takes a while to truly find its groove. Some modern dialogue and social media references may seem forced, but the cast delivers them well. Viewers expecting a traditional laugh-track comedy might need some time to adjust because this is more of a contemporary dramedy.