By Zoila Palma: Belizean roots will take center stage on Netflix this month as actress Maleah Joi Moon, whose mother is Belizean, leads the highly anticipated sequel to the iconic sitcom “A Different World”.
Moon plays Deborah Wayne, the daughter of beloved original characters Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert.
Moon’s connection to Belize comes through her mother, who immigrated from Belize to the United States and settled in Brooklyn, New York.
Her journey from a Belizean family background in Brooklyn to the lead role in one of television’s most recognizable franchises is a notable achievement for Belizeans at home and abroad.
The young actress is already an award-winning star. Moon won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2024 for her performance in Hell’s Kitchen and later earned a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the production in 2025.
Netflix’s new “A Different World” follows Deborah as she begins her freshman year at Hillman College and seeks to create her own identity beyond her famous parents’ legacy.
The sequel premieres on September 24, 2026.
The post Belizean heritage to Netflix: Maleah Joi Moon stars in “A Different World” appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Belizean roots will take center stage on Netflix this month as actress Maleah Joi Moon, whose mother is Belizean, leads the highly anticipated sequel to the iconic sitcom “A Different World”. Moon plays Deborah Wayne, the daughter of beloved original characters Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. Moon’s connection to Belize comes through
The post Belizean heritage to Netflix: Maleah Joi Moon stars in “A Different World” appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
