'Martin' Spinoff Gets First Look as Tommy Davidson Returns as Varnell Hill

LOS ANGELES (BAMM Network) — Nearly 30 years after Martin ended its original run, one of the sitcom's most memorable guest characters is getting his own series.

L-R: Martin Lawrence, Tommy Davidson in 'The Varnell Hill Show' _ Paramount+

Paramount+ this week released the first official images from The Varnell Hill Show, an eight-episode comedy starring Tommy Davidson as the flamboyant late-night television host he first portrayed on Martin in 1993.

The workplace comedy follows Varnell Hill as he tries to stay relevant in an evolving media landscape while navigating network executives, celebrity guests, a chaotic writers' room and the pressures of producing a successful talk show. According to Paramount+, the series will blend satire, fourth-wall breaks and behind-the-scenes television comedy.

Fans of the original sitcom can also expect a familiar face.

Martin Lawrence will reprise his role as Martin Payne in a guest appearance and serves as an executive producer on the series alongside longtime Martin collaborator Bentley Kyle Evans.

Davidson previously said returning to the role was an emotional experience.

"We shot eight of them... We've seen the editing and it's beautiful," Davidson said earlier this year, adding that reuniting with Lawrence after more than a decade "was emotional."

L-R: Martin Lawrence, Tommy Davidson in 'Martin' where Davidson played late night show host "Varnell Hill".

The cast also includes Kym Whitley, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Emmanuel Hudson, Chris Williams and Nick Cafero, with guest appearances from Deon Cole, Damon Wayans, Mike Epps, Ms. Pat and Omarion.

Varnell Hill originally appeared in a two-episode arc during the second season of Martin, quickly becoming a fan favorite with his oversized personality and signature catchphrases. Despite appearing in only two episodes, the character has remained one of the show's most requested spinoff ideas for decades.

The Varnell Hill Show premieres Sept. 1 on Paramount+, with the first two episodes debuting on launch day before new episodes are released weekly.