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It looks like “Black-ish” is officially going to college!
On Friday, it was announced that ABC’s “Black-ish” college spin-off starring Yara Shahidi has received the green light from Freeform. The Disney-owned network, formerly known as ABC Family, has ordered 13 episodes of Shahidi’s new show, tentatively being called “College-ish”.
The series, set to give us “A Different World” type of feels, will be centered on Shahidi’s character Zoey Johnson’s college experience and, according to Deadline, “the current issues facing both students and administrators in the world of higher education.” It will also co-star Deon Cole, who will be reprising his “Black-ish” role of Charlie.
“For me growing up, ‘A Different World’ had a lot to do with me going off to school,” said “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris. “I would love for this to have a tenth of the effect that that show had on my generation.”
Barris initially proposed the college spin-off to ABC, but due to it being geared toward a younger audience, the show moved to Freeform.
“I never thought they’d let me put ‘Black-ish’ on the air let alone give me a spin-off. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to continue working with Yara and the rest of this talented young cast,” said Barris. “To any aspiring writers struggling to make it out there, I highly advise adding an ‘–ish’ to any working title you might have. It seems to be the move.”
“Black-ish” has been renewed by ABC for a fourth season and its spin-off is set to debut on Freeform in early 2018. Congratulations to Kenya, Yara and the entire “Black-ish” cast and crew!