Tommy Davidson reprises his memorable talk-show host character nearly 30 years later, with Martin Lawrence returning for guest appearances.
Paramount+ has officially set a premiere date for The Varnell Hill Show, the comedy spin-off from the classic 1990s sitcom Martin. The streaming platform also released first-look images, giving audiences their first proper view of the series. Tommy Davidson returns as the flashy, self-absorbed talk-show host Varnell Hill, a character he first played in two episodes of the original series more than three decades ago. Martin Lawrence, who starred as Martin Payne in the original sitcom, serves as an executive producer and will appear in a guest capacity throughout the season.
The eight-episode debut season arrives on September 1, 2026, with a two-episode premiere. New episodes will drop every Tuesday, with the season finale scheduled for October 13, 2026. The series marks the first time Davidson’s Varnell Hill character has been given the leading role, transforming a minor but memorable antagonist from the original show into the star of his own workplace comedy.
First-Look Images Reveal a Flashy Return
Paramount+ released multiple first-look photographs on August 5, 2026, showing Davidson in character as Varnell Hill. The images depict Hill wearing a bright yellow suit, surrounded by his staff, and seemingly trying to manage the chaos of his late-night talk show. One photograph shows him standing next to Lawrence’s Martin Payne, who appears in a brown suit and hat. Other images introduce the ensemble cast, including Kym Whitley, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Nick Cafero, Emmanuel Hudson and Chris Williams.
Kym Whitley, who plays a key role in the spin-off, shared stills from the show on Instagram with the caption: “Y’all not ready for this one! #TheVarnellHillShow, premiering September 1st on #ParamountPlus #KymWhitley”. The social media post generated immediate buzz among fans of the original series, many of whom have waited years to see these characters return to the screen.
The Premise: A Talk-Show Host Fighting for Relevance
The Varnell Hill Show is set behind the scenes of a long-running late-night talk show hosted by the titular character. According to the official logline, the series follows Varnell “as he fights to stay relevant in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape”. The show will explore the chaos of running a television empire, with network executives pushing for modernization, a dysfunctional writers’ room, demanding celebrity guests, family drama, and Hill’s own oversized ego all creating problems.
“Nearly three decades after audiences first met him, Varnell Hill is stepping back into the spotlight – and he’s determined to prove he’s still the star of the show.”
The half-hour workplace comedy will offer a chaotic peek at what happens behind the cameras of a fictional late-night programme. Hill, who was first introduced in the second season of Martin, was originally portrayed as a rival to Martin Payne. The two characters had previously worked together at a Detroit radio station, and Hill’s success in the talk-show business got under Payne’s skin. That rivalry now forms the backdrop for the new series, with Lawrence’s character returning to stir things up.
Cast and Guest Stars
Tommy Davidson leads an ensemble cast that includes several familiar faces from the original Martin series. The main cast features:
- Kym Whitley – known for My Brother and Me
- Wendy Raquel Robinson – known for The Steve Harvey Show, playing the role of Rachel Perkins
- Nick Cafero – known for The Runarounds, playing Jonah
- Emmanuel Hudson
- Chris Williams – known for Upload, playing Tre
The guest line-up is equally impressive. Martin Lawrence makes special appearances throughout the season. Other guest stars include Ms. Pat, Deon Cole, Damon Wayans, Mike Epps and Omarion. The series is produced in association with BET Studios.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team
The Varnell Hill Show brings together a strong creative team. Bentley Kyle Evans serves as showrunner, writer, director and executive producer. Evans is a familiar name to Martin fans – he had a memorable character on the original series and has been deeply involved in developing this spin-off.
Martin Lawrence and Tommy Davidson also serve as executive producers. Additional executive producers include Jesse Collins and Dionne Harmon for Jesse Collins Entertainment, Stacy Lyles, Rae Proctor and Robert Lawrence for Runteldat Entertainment, and Mark Greenberg and Andrew Horne for Harvest Studios.
The series was originally greenlit by BET+ in April 2025 as a straight-to-series order. At that time, it was reported that the show would be a workplace comedy set behind the scenes of a late-night talk show. The project has since moved to Paramount+ for its global debut, though BET Studios remains involved in production.
The Legacy of Martin
Martin originally ran on Fox from 1992 to 1997. The sitcom starred Martin Lawrence as Martin Payne, a radio DJ in Detroit, and became one of the defining comedies of 1990s Black television. The show won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV New Comedy Series and received four NAACP Image Awards.
The original cast – Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II – reunited in 2022 for a 90-minute BET+ special filmed on the sitcom’s set. In 2024, the Primetime Emmys paid tribute to the cultural legacy of Martin with an onstage cast reunion.
Tommy Davidson’s Varnell Hill appeared in only two episodes of the original series, but the character made a lasting impression. Known for his over-the-top bragging about his luxurious lifestyle and achievements, Hill was first introduced in the sophomore season when Martin Payne reconnected with him after they had previously worked together at the same Detroit radio station.
Release Schedule and Where to Watch
The Varnell Hill Show will premiere globally on Paramount+ on September 1, 2026. The first season consists of eight episodes, with the first two episodes available on premiere day. Following the debut, one new episode will be released every Tuesday night until the season finale on October 13, 2026.
Since the show is a Paramount+ original, viewers will need an active subscription to watch. The streaming platform offers two tiers: the ad-inclusive Paramount+ Essential plan at $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year, and the ad-free Paramount+ Premium plan at $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year.
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What the Return Means for Fans
For fans of the original Martin sitcom, The Varnell Hill Show represents a chance to revisit a beloved universe nearly three decades after the show ended. The series brings back not only Davidson’s Hill but also Lawrence’s Payne in a guest role, recreating the rivalry that made their original episodes so memorable.
Davidson, in an interview for Rap Attack Official, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reprise the role, calling it a surreal experience to share the screen with his Martin co-star again. The show marks the first time the two actors have worked together on a scripted project since the 1990s.
The series also continues a trend of 1990s sitcoms receiving new life through spin-offs and revivals. With Paramount+ backing the project and a strong cast of both returning and new faces, The Varnell Hill Show aims to capture the same comedic energy that made Martin a cultural touchstone while exploring how a character like Varnell Hill navigates the modern entertainment industry.
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