View Full Version : BET+ orders Martin spinoff Varnell Hill starring Tommy Davidson


TMC
04-15-2025, 06:24 PM
https://deadline.com/2025/04/martin-spinoff-varnell-hill-tommy-davidson-bet-plus-lawrence-1236368616/

Davidson will reprise his beloved two-episode Martin talk show host character Varnell Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5cpvs1a8pE) from the two-part 1993 episode "Hollywood Swinging" for the spinoff series co-created and executive produced by Martin co-creator, star and executive producer Martin Lawrence and Martin executive producer/showrunner Bentley Evans, reports Deadline's Nellie Andreeva, adding: "There is no confirmation of Lawrence appearing on the show but I hear he is poised to reprise his Martin Payne role in multiple episodes. The announcement comes on the 35th anniversary of In Living Color (https://people.com/where-is-the-cast-of-in-living-color-now-11715669), on which Davidson was an original cast member." Andreeva adds: "Varnell Hill, which has received an eight-episode straight-to-series order, is a workplace comedy set behind the scenes of the long-running late-night talk show, ‘The Varnell Hill Show.’ Delving 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. A blend of satire, humor, cutaways, and fourth-wall breaks, Varnell Hill will feature a mixture of exciting new characters and celebrity guest cameos."

JamesG
08-21-2025, 02:51 AM
Kym Whitley Joins "Varnell Hill"
by Nellie Andreeva
August 20, 2025


Comedy veteran Kym Whitley has been cast as a series regular opposite Tommy Davidson in the upcoming BET+ series "The Varnell Hill Show", a spinoff from Martin Lawrence’s hit 1990s sitcom "Martin".

Whitley will play Kim Jones, Varnell’s (Davidson) longtime assistant, emotional bodyguard, professional fixer, and the talk show’s unofficial executive producer.

https://deadline.com/2025/08/kym-whitley-martin-spinoff-series-varnell-hill-bet-plus-1236493336/

JamesG
09-10-2025, 04:08 AM
Nick Cafero Joins "The Varnell Hill Show" as Series Regular
by Matt Grobar
September 9, 2025


Newcomer Nick Cafero has landed a series regular role in "The Varnell Hill Show", the forthcoming spinoff of classic Fox sitcom "Martin" at BET+.

In his first series regular role, Cafero will play Jonah Michaelson, the newly self-appointed interim CEO of Mammoth Group. The ultimate nepo baby, Jonah is desperate to prove he belongs.

https://deadline.com/2025/09/the-varnell-hill-show-casts-nick-cafero-series-regular-1236513393/

JamesG
09-17-2025, 02:40 AM
"SEAL Team’s" Neil Brown Jr. Cast in BET+’s "Varnell Hill"
by Rosy Cordero
September 16, 2025


Neil Brown Jr. (SEAL Team, Insecure) has joined the recurring cast of BET+‘s "Martin" spinoff series "Varnell Hill".

He will will play Thad Metcalf, the kind of guy who name-drops The Harvard Lampoon within three minutes of meeting you, not to flex, but because he genuinely thinks you’ll be impressed. He’s whip-smart, overly literal, socially awkward, and armed with more obscure comedy references than charm.

Thad is a former SNL writer with impeccable credentials and zero people skills.

https://deadline.com/2025/09/neil-brown-jr-cast-bet-martin-spinoff-series-varnell-hill-1236545827/

TMC
05-04-2026, 07:44 PM
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Tommy Davidson breaks down how his iconic Varnell Hill character was created on Martin and confirms that a spinoff is officially on the way.