5 days Ago By Anthony Maglio
Finally, fans are getting more Martin . Sort of. BET+ has greenlit Varnell Hill , a workplace-comedy series based on Tommy Davidson ‘s character on Martin ; Davidson will reprise the role.
It’s a straight-to-series order — we can consider five seasons of Martin one long pilot. Martin Lawrence , the Martin of Martin , is co-creator and will executive produce Varnell Hill . Bentley Evans is the other co-creator, and will showrun as well as executive produce.
No word yet on if Lawrence will appear as radio/TV personality Martin Payne. Varnell Hill will be set behind the scenes of long-running late-night talk show, The Varnell Hill Show . How long-running? Hill was doing this back in 1993.
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,” according to the BET+ logline. “With its blend of satire, humor, cutaways, and fourth-wall breaks, the show promises to engage audiences in a fresh and innovative way.” Production has not yet begun and we do not yet have a premiere date.
Davidson only played the character twice on Martin . Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Andy Horne, Stacy Lyles, Robert Lawrence and Rae Proctor will also serve as executive producers on Varnell Hill . Rose Catherine Pinkney and Jason Harvey will executive produce for BET+.
“Did you miss me? Well, now you don’t have to! 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,” Davidson said in a statement. “Fans have requested it and now it’s coming to BET+!” The original Martin also starred Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Thomas Mikal Ford and Carl Anthony Payne..
