Joshua Suiter, who is starring in two highly anticipated series “ A Different World “ revival series, on Netflix. The new series follows the daughter of iconic couple Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert as she begins her freshman year at Hillman College. The revival also welcomes back beloved original cast members, including Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Cree Summer, and Darryl M. Bell. Original creative force Debbie Allen directs the premiere and serves as an executive producer.
Joshua Suiter is also returning for Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s star-studded legal dramedy, All’s Fair, on Hulu. He plays Elijah Greene, one of the triplets and sons of Emerald Greene, played by Niecy Nash-Betts. The series boasts an A-list ensemble including Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, and Kim Kardashian. All’s Fair became Hulu’s most-watched scripted series debut in three years and quickly earned a reputation as a “camp classic.”
You’re 26, starring in two highly anticipated series, and suddenly there’s a lot of attention around your name. What does Joshua’s life look like when the cameras are off—what are you obsessed with right now?
God is good isn’t he. It’s a blessing to be doing what I love. I’m definitely taking the time to enjoy life as it comes and doing what makes me feel good. I’m also doing my best to nurture the hobbies that aren’t tied to my career so I can stay refreshed and gain inspiration for when I do create. A good Sunday sermon as well as reading the word throughout the week feeds my spirit. I love exercising. I got bored of solely weightlifting so I’m getting back into sprinting, swimming, just other activities that keep me active to complement the gym. I’ve been dialed into 80’s R&B lately. Live music’s my jam too! I need to get back to finding spots around the city and enjoying the evening of entertainment.
There’s something almost surreal about stepping onto the set of A Different World—a world that shaped so many people’s ideas about college, friendship, love, and Black identity. What was the first moment on set when you thought, “Oh, wow. I’m actually part of this”?
I’d have to say suiting up and shooting the pilot over the summer in 2025 was the first ever “wow” moment. That’s when a lot of firsts happened. When I reflect on the year and my relationships with cast members who have become friends, I always end up looking back to that summer and how far we’ve all come since then. That’s where my journey began with this show and it will always be special.
You’re playing Andre Tilsdale in the new A Different World. Without giving anything away, what do you think Andre understands about himself that the audience might not immediately see?
I feel as though Andre understands how important his time at college is. It’s the stepping stone for his future once he graduates. Everything is go big or go home with him because of that mindset. That’s why he operates the way
he does. I also think it’s more than meets the eye with him. I would love to peel back his layers and audiences get to see the other side of him that lies below the surface.
You’re sharing a universe with Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Cree Summer, Darryl M. Bell, and Debbie Allen. Was there a particular piece of advice—or even a passing comment—from one of the original cast members that stayed with you?
The first moment that comes to mind is just the OG’s sharing that the cast has the same magic and love that they had when they shot the original. And they aren’t the type of folk to say something just to say it so you know it’s honest. I thought that was a beautiful moment that stays with me.
There’s an interesting tension in being a young actor today: everyone wants to know who you are, while you’re still figuring that out yourself. How do you protect the parts of Joshua that aren’t for public consumption?
I’ve always been private when it comes to my personal life. I’m very in the moment and I don’t really post every little thing that I do. Through the years I’ve found a great balance of enjoying life socially and professionally , having amazing conversations, while having boundaries and clear lines on my life. Everything isn’t meant to be shared and I don’t have to be seen 24/7. I show up and do the work and I have a great time doing it. I go out when I want to and carry myself well. I love to have fun and I love sharing my light with others and to do that, especially in the age of social media and digital footprints, I always keep protecting my peace and my sanity at the forefront of my mind.
If this moment in your career were a photograph in a Vogue portfolio, what would be happening just outside the frame—the thing the audience doesn’t get to see?
The visual I’m seeing is me praying, tending to all my gifts, and spending time with my friends and family. I am constantly praying and seeking God because I want to make sure I’m in his will and I feel whole when I spend time in his presence. I’m a man of many talents and I am always creating something. Whether it’s training my acting chops, producing and writing new music, developing my own shows and movies, I have a million ideas and the gifts to make them happen. I’m always shooting in the gym. Within all the hustle and bustle of being an artist I rely on my time with friends and
family to ground me and keep me steady on my journey. So me posing within the frame, everything curated with top notch execution, and then all the activity outside the frame shows the behind the scenes of the success.
It shows the dedication to my craft and how much effort and consistency goes into the final product. More specifically what it takes for me to do what I do.
You’re entering Hollywood at a time when the idea of the “breakout star” has changed. Do you want to be famous, or do you want to be great—and do you think those two things are still connected?
My focus has and will always be about being great. Good isn’t enough I strive for greatness. I care about elevating and sharpening my blade. I don’t focus too hard on fame because I know when I do my job correctly the blessings will follow. Of course, I look forward to certain opportunities and milestones but again, I know they will come in due time as long as I stay focused. My gift will make room for me.
What is something you’ve learned about yourself through acting that you genuinely didn’t expect to discover?
Let’s see. I would have to say I learned how many emotions I bottled up. Acting taught me how to be more comfortable with crying and other feelings that don’t stem from happiness especially . I learned I instinctively fight the side of the emotional wheel that we don’t view as positive so as I began to dive deeper into living in truth while acting I had to allow myself to let the emotions flow. All of them. That’s been an unexpected but freeing discovery thanks to acting.
You have two major series arriving at what feels like a pivotal moment in your twenties. When you imagine yourself at 30, what do you hope 26-year-old Joshua will have been brave enough to do?
30 year old Joshua will hope that his 26 year old self was brave enough to see his concepts for TV and Film through. I have some amazing ideas for projects that I have begun to flesh out and I want to make sure that I stick with. Sometimes the thoughts of “Is this idea even good enough? Are my writing skills up to par? Can I really get a TV show or Film made?” Form in my mind. 30 year old me will hope that I was brave enough to cut through the noise in my head and allow myself to bring my visions to life, knowing that there are some brilliant projects floating around in this brain of mine.
Let’s forget the résumé for a moment. If someone met Joshua Suiter for the very first time and had one afternoon to understand who you are, where would you take them, what would you eat, what would you play in the car, and what would you want them to know about you?
Oh this is good! If I only have an afternoon I’m going to take my guest and I to a restaurant on a beautiful beach that’s playing live music or have a fantastic DJ that controls the crowd and keeps you engaged. I’ll probably get me a nice steak. Have the chef cook that bad boy to about Medium and it will be rich with flavor. Once the meal is finished we can walk out on the sand and kick it on the beach chairs. Maybe even go float in the water after the itis wears off. Since I only have an afternoon I want to share my love for the water and the beach along with my love for music. I’m either going to spin my “Summer Solstice” playlist in the car or my “Oldies” playlist. One thing about me, I’ve got some fire playlists. While we’re at it, let’s say we’re riding in a convertible. A 1992 or 2006 Mercedes SL500 to be exact. I’d want whoever I’m meeting with to know how much I love God and how much I love to have fun in life. Anything that I do I aim to excel and to have joy while I’m doing what I do. I feel like that’s a great takeaway anybody can get from even one conversation with me. That’s honestly a dream afternoon right there.
