Martin lovers will soon be able to enjoy new original episodes loosely based on the beloved series. A spinoff titled Varnell Hill has been greenlighted by BET+, and the show will be led by actor-comedian Tommy Davidson playing the titular character role.
Deadline exclusively reported on April 15 the upcoming show will see Davidson reprising the beloved character he played as a guest star on the iconic ’90s sitcom. Varnell Hill is co-created and executive produced by Martin co-creator, star, and executive producer Martin Lawrence and Martin executive producer/showrunner Bentley Evans. Jesse Collins also executive produce.
“Did you miss me? Well, now you don’t have to!” said Davidson in a statement. “I’m excited and honored to be a part of such a creative project with the brilliant mind of Martin Lawrence, over 30 years in the making. Fans have requested it and now it’s coming to BET+!”
According to the outlet, Varnell Hill is “a workplace comedy set behind the scenes of the long-running late-night talk show, The Varnell Hill Show.” It will delve into “the chaotic world of television production, the series explores Varnell’s journey to remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry and the corporate dynamics of network executives, business stakeholders, and creative teams involved in the making of the show.”
The forthcoming series has received an eight-episode straight-to-series order and promises to have exciting new characters and celebrity guest cameos.
WESTWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Actor Martin Lawrence and Tommy Davidson arrive at the screening of Columbia Pictures’ “Concussion” at Regency Village Theatre on November 23, 2015 in Westwood, California.
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
In closely related news, Martin is also set to receive an official prequel series, backed by Martin Lawrence himself. Last July, reports confirmed the forthcoming drama titled Young Martin was in the works courtesy of Lawrence’s production company, RunTelDat, in collaboration with Marvin Peart‘s WonderHill Studios. The show will tell the “origin story centering on Martin Payne, a charismatic teenager navigating the complexities of transitioning from youth to adulthood.”
The influential sitcom aired for five seasons on Fox from Aug. 27, 1992, to May 1, 1997. It took home the win at the 1993 People’s Choice Awards for Favorite TV New Comedy Series, and locked in three victories at the NAACP Image Awards between 1994 and 1995. Most recently, Martin fans were treated with a cast reunion at the 2024 Emmy Awards.
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