You probably thought you’d seen the last of Martin Lawrence on the small screen back in 2014 when Partners quietly faded away. Or maybe you've just been waiting for Bad Boys 5 to keep the adrenaline going. But then something weird started popping up on timelines: Martin Lawrence in Demascus.
No, he didn't suddenly decide to film a travelogue in Syria. And no, it’s not a typo for some obscure Oregon suburb. We’re talking about one of the strangest, most "Hollywood" stories of the last few years—a show that was finished, killed for a tax break, and then miraculously brought back from the dead by a platform most people used to ignore.
What is Demascus, anyway?
Let’s get the record straight because the name confuses everyone. Demascus (spelled with an "e") is a sci-fi comedy series created by the brilliant playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm. It’s not about a city. It’s about a 33-year-old Black man named Demascus, played by Okieriete Onaodowan (the guy who originated Hercules Mulligan in Hamilton).
The plot is kinda wild. Demascus uses this experimental "digital psychiatry" technology to live out alternate versions of his own life. Think Sliding Doors but with a lot more social commentary and a healthy dose of "what if?"
Martin Lawrence doesn't play the lead. He plays Uncle Forty, the irascible, aging patriarch of the family. He’s in a handful of episodes, and honestly, seeing him play a character with actual vulnerability—a man dealing with failing health while trying to maintain his status—is a side of Martin we haven't seen since the "lean" years.
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The AMC Heartbreak and the Tubi Resurrection
Hollywood is a brutal business. Back in 2022, AMC was all-in on Demascus. They finished the whole six-episode season. Martin Lawrence had filmed his scenes. The posters were basically ready.
Then, in early 2023, the floor fell out. AMC was looking to cut $400 million in costs. In a move that felt incredibly cold to the creators, they canceled the show before it even aired. It wasn't because it was bad; it was because they could write it off on their taxes. For two years, the show sat in a digital vault. It was a ghost.
But then came Tubi.
In August 2025, the "free" streaming service that everyone used to make fun of stepped in. They cut a deal with AMC Networks to rescue a handful of shows, and Demascus was the crown jewel. It finally premiered as a Tubi Original.
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Why people are still talking about it in 2026
The reason this matters is because of the "Martin Effect." For a long time, Martin Lawrence was the king of the multicam sitcom. But in Demascus, he’s doing something different. He's a guest star, but he’s the emotional anchor.
- Uncle Forty is messy. He’s not just a punchline machine.
- The technology is the hook. Seeing how Martin’s character reacts to the sci-fi elements of the show creates a great contrast between "old school" and "new world."
- The cast is stacked. You've got Janet Hubert (the original Aunt Viv) as a witty psychotherapist and Lynn Whitfield. It’s a powerhouse of Black acting royalty.
Fact-Checking the "Syria" Rumors
Let's address the elephant in the room. If you search for "Martin Lawrence in Damascus," you might stumble upon history articles about T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) entering Damascus in 1918.
That is not our Martin.
Our Martin was born in Frankfurt, West Germany, and raised in Maryland. He has been busy doing stand-up in places like Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for his "Y'all Know What It Is" tour, but he hasn't been filming a biopic in the Middle East. If you see a headline about him "conquering Damascus," it's either a very confused history student or someone talking about his scene-stealing performance in the Tubi show.
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How to actually watch it
If you want to see what all the fuss is about, you don't need a subscription. That’s the beauty of the Tubi deal. You can literally just download the app and search for Demascus.
- Expect the unexpected. This isn't Martin 2.0. It’s a sci-fi show that happens to be funny.
- Look for the Thanksgiving episode. Episode 4 is where Martin really shines as Uncle Forty.
- Appreciate the "Uncle Forty" arc. It's a recurring role, appearing in three of the six episodes, but the impact is huge.
The journey of Demascus from a tax-write-off casualty to a streaming success is proof that good content eventually finds a home. Martin Lawrence didn't need a comeback, but this show gave him a chance to remind everyone that he’s got layers way beyond the slapstick.
To get the most out of your viewing, start with the first episode to understand the digital psychiatry mechanic. The show works best when you follow the "What If" scenarios from the beginning, rather than jumping straight to Martin's scenes. It’s a short binge—only six episodes—so it's a perfect weekend watch.