*Comedy veteran Kym Whitley is set to star alongside Tommy Davidson in BET+’s upcoming series “The Varnell Hill Show,” a spinoff of the iconic 1990s sitcom “Martin.”
Whitley will portray Kim Jones, the loyal assistant and unofficial executive producer to Davidson’s Varnell Hill, a character he first played as a guest star on the original series, Deadline reports. The show offers a satirical take on the entertainment industry. First introduced in “Martin” as the flashy, smooth-talking talk show host, Davidson’s character quickly became a cult favorite. Now, after more than 30 years, Varnell is stepping into the spotlight in a series all his own.
Set behind the scenes of a long-running late-night talk show, “The Varnell Hill Show,” the new series blends satire, workplace comedy, and showbiz antics. It will explore Varnell’s quest to stay relevant in a fast-changing media landscape, all while navigating the high-stakes world of network politics, creative egos, and chaotic production schedules. Audiences can expect a vibrant mix of new characters, celebrity guest stars, and a unique style that includes cutaways and fourth-wall-breaking moments.
Martin Lawrence, co-creator and star of “Martin,” will also appear as Martin Payne in several episodes. “It’s going to be a funny show,” Lawrence told TMZ.
“Yeah, man, it’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re working on it. We’re putting everything together,” he added. However, Lawrence confirmed that his fan-favorite character Sheneneh Jenkins won’t return, stating, “No, I doubt that.”
Scroll to continue reading
“Did you miss me? Well, now you don’t have to!” Davidson said in a statement, hyping the show’s arrival on BET+. The series, now filming in Los Angeles, is co-created by Lawrence and Bentley Kyle Evans, who also serves as showrunner and wrote the pilot.
“Martin,” which ran from 1992 to 1997, remains a beloved sitcom available on BET+.
Whitley, known for roles in “Happy Gilmore 2,” “You People,” and series like “The Upshaws” and “The Neighborhood,” brings her comedic expertise to this nostalgic yet fresh spinoff.
