A Different World premiered a week ago and is currently number one on Netflix. For the series to be a reboot, that’s a huge deal. Fans of the original 1987 series showed up and showed out. I’m not surprised the series did well. A Different World is an iconic series that means a great deal to the Black community.
A Different World resonated and still resonates with the Black Community because it was rooted in the Black experience. It pulled from real-life situations. The 2026 version is no different. The racially motivated attacks on HBCUs last fall are just one example of a very real experience the series highlighted in Episode 1×05 ‘Final Words.’ Fangirlish had the chance to chat with cinematographer Shawn Peters about his approach to the episode.
“That was a more challenging episode… they wanted it to be more cinematic than a sitcom look…Episode 5 was particularly challenging because a lot of the film takes place in The Pit. There’s not a lot of action. We referenced one of my favorite films by legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. The film is High and Low. In High and Low, there is a long sequence where they talk about their strategy to trap the kidnapper. We used it as a style reference to capture the group dynamic and make it feel energetic but also immersive.”
Though it was a more tense episode of A Different World, it was one of my personal favorites. Shawn did a great job creating scenes that made me feel like I was right there. As I watched the episode, I could feel the fear and anxiety the students felt. That’s one of the things that make TV so good. Moments when we can immerse ourselves are what stand out. For Shawn, that’s one of the things he strives to convey with the art he creates.
MORE: ‘A Different World’ Series Honors The Past While Ushering In The Future
“That’s the biggest thing I want. When someone says that they felt nervous, that means that we did our job. I don’t want the cinematography to be forward. I want the feeling and the emotion to be forward…”
During our conversation with Shawn, he also shared some of his favorite moments while filming A Different World. To hear his answer, check out the full interview below:
A Different World is streaming now on Netflix.
