USC Graduates Starred in A Different World Release
Former classmates Galen J. Williams and Jalen K. Stewart earned roles in the ten-episode Netflix series.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Netflix released ten episodes of A Different World featuring USC MFA graduates Galen J. Williams and Jalen K. Stewart. The actors, who completed their program in 2021, were cast as Marquise and Davion, respectively.
Why it matters
The casting process highlights how emerging talent from university programs can secure significant roles in high-profile streaming productions. The production also demonstrated adaptability by expanding the character arc for one of the USC graduates during the filming process.
Jalen K. Stewart and Galen J. Williams were among only five students to complete their USC MFA cohort during the pandemic. The character of Davion, played by Stewart, had his screen time expanded from one episode to four.
The players
Galen J. Williams
He is an actor and USC MFA Acting program graduate who portrays the character Marquise in the series.
Jalen K. Stewart
He is an actor and USC MFA Acting program graduate who portrays the character Davion in the series.
USC
The University of Southern California is a research institution where the actors completed their master of fine arts training.
The details
Galen J. Williams and Jalen K. Stewart secured their roles through a standard casting process that included multiple callbacks. Writers eventually expanded the role of Davion during production to incorporate three additional episodes beyond the original script.
Timeline
Galen J. Williams and Jalen K. Stewart graduated from the USC MFA program in spring 2021.
Netflix released all ten episodes of the series A Different World on September 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
The success of these graduates reflects the ongoing pressure on streaming platforms to integrate new talent from elite conservatory programs. This trend mirrors the broader shift toward digital-first casting pipelines that bypass traditional studio discovery methods.
Local viewers can identify the professional transition of these Los Angeles-based actors from the classroom to the screen. For aspiring performers in the area, the journey highlights the practical utility of securing representation immediately following an MFA program.
The takeaway
Emerging actors can increase their screen presence through strong performances that prompt writers to expand character arcs during production. Industry professionals should view rigorous university training as a reliable indicator of performer adaptability in fast-paced streaming environments.
Further reading
Discover more about academic career paths in our Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Sentinel.
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Do you plan to watch the new episodes of the series A Different World?
