BET+ orders Martin spinoff Varnell Hill starring Tommy Davidson

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https://deadline.com/2025/04/martin-...ce-1236368616/

Davidson will reprise his beloved two-episode Martin talk show host character Varnell Hill 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, 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."

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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-whi...us-1236493336/

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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-var...ar-1236513393/

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"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-br...ll-1236545827/

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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.