Martin spin-off The Varnell Hill Show
A new spin-off from the 1990s sitcom Martin, titled The Varnell Hill Show, begins airing on September 1, 2026, on Paramount+.
The 1990s sitcom Martin is launching a spin-off series next week. Titled The Varnell Hill Show, it premieres on Paramount+ on September 1, 2026, according to a report by ScreenRant.
Tommy Davidson returns to play Varnell Hill, a character he first portrayed in a two-part episode during Martin's second season. In the original series, Varnell Hill was the broadcast rival of Martin Payne, the radio and later TV host played by Martin Lawrence. The new show shifts focus to Varnell's life and career.
The Connection to Martin
The spin-off is connected to the original sitcom through the competitive relationship between the two hosts, Martin Payne and Varnell Hill. Martin Lawrence, who is credited as an executive producer on the new series, will reprise his role in a guest capacity. The show will largely feature a new cast of characters, following a familiar format where Varnell deals with the complexities of his life as a host and interviews prominent individuals.
However, the setting is modern. This means Varnell faces a rapidly changing landscape for traditional TV formats like the late-night hosted show. The Varnell Hill Show will showcase the serious challenges the character faces in this new industry environment.
Cast and Details
The report confirms the main cast and release details for the new series. The information is presented in the table below.
Cast
- Tommy Davidson as Varnell Hill
- Kym Whitley
- Wendy Raquel Robinson
- Nick Cafero
A Second Planned Spinoff
The Varnell Hill Show is reportedly the second project discussed to revive the Martin franchise. Previously, another series titled Young Martin was announced. Martin Lawrence was also set to be an executive producer on that project, which was described as a more dramatic and gritty prequel about Martin Payne's life before his radio career.
ScreenRant notes there have been few updates about Young Martin, but there have been no confirmations that it is no longer in development. The prequel was expected to follow a grounded approach, similar to how the Bel-Air series built on the mythology of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The report states it would update the concept with details for young audiences. The future of Young Martin remains uncertain, but its development was part of a broader plan to expand the world of the original sitcom.
