So, the news is finally out, and honestly, it’s not exactly what people expected. If you grew up in the 90s, you probably have a mental highlight reel of Martin Payne screaming "Wha-zup!" or getting into it with Pam. But for the Martin Lawrence show new project, throw that laugh track in the trash. We aren't getting a multi-cam sitcom where Martin plays nine different characters in a wig. Instead, the upcoming series—officially titled Young Martin—is taking the Bel-Air route.
It's an hour-long drama. Yeah, you read that right.
Martin Lawrence himself is behind it, teaming up with WonderHill Studios to give us a "reimagined" origin story. It’s set in modern-day Detroit, not the 90s. We’re going to see a teenage version of Martin Payne navigating the world as a "spirited" kid with a lot of ambition. Basically, it’s trying to explain how the kid in the D became the man we met at WZUP radio years later.
What is Young Martin actually about?
The logline describes a teenager who is charismatic and funny but also dealing with some real-world stakes. In the original show, Martin’s background was mostly used for punchlines or quick references to his childhood. Now, those stories are becoming the meat of the series. We’re talking about a kid who’s got a magnetic personality but finds himself in "high-stakes situations."
✨ Don't miss: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
It’s interesting because they aren't just doing a period piece. By setting it in contemporary Detroit, the producers are clearly trying to hook a younger audience that might not even know who Sheneneh Jenkins is. It’s a gamble. Fans of the original might want that 90s nostalgia, but the creators seem more interested in making something that feels like Power or Bel-Air rather than a retro comedy.
Who is involved in the project?
Martin Lawrence is executive producing through his company, RunTelDat. He’s not going it alone, though. He’s got Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, and Stacy Lyles on board. On the studio side, Marvin Peart of WonderHill Studios is the big name driving this. Peart has been pretty vocal about how much Lawrence influenced his own career, so there’s a lot of respect for the source material here.
Casting is the big question mark. As of early 2026, we still haven't seen a confirmed face for the teenage Martin. It’s a massive role to fill. Whoever gets it has to balance that "quick wit" Lawrence is known for with the dramatic weight of an hour-long series. It’s a tough needle to thread. You can't just do an impression of Martin Lawrence; the audience will see through that in five minutes.
🔗 Read more: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
The Bel-Air effect and the shift to drama
Why go drama? Honestly, the success of Bel-Air changed everything for 90s reboots. It proved that you can take a goofy sitcom premise and turn it into a gritty, serialized story without losing the essence of the characters. Lawrence’s friend Will Smith paved the way for this.
There’s also the reality that a straight-up Martin reboot with the original cast is tough. Thomas Mikal Ford (Tommy) passed away in 2016, and while the rest of the crew is still close—they had that big reunion special on BET+ and showed up together at the 75th Emmys—it’s just not the same without the full squad. Young Martin lets the franchise live on without trying to recreate the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry of the original five.
Where can you watch it?
This is the tricky part. As it stands, the Martin Lawrence show new drama doesn't have a confirmed network home. It’s been in development with WonderHill, and they’ve been shopping it around. Given the current streaming landscape, you’d bet on a platform like Peacock, BET+, or maybe even Netflix, which saw a huge spike in Martin viewership when they added the original seasons back in 2024.
💡 You might also like: Album Hopes and Fears: Why We Obsess Over Music That Doesn't Exist Yet
While we wait for the show, Martin Lawrence is keeping busy. If you’re looking for the classic funny Martin, he’s currently on his "Y'all STILL Know What It Is!" tour throughout 2026. He’s hitting cities like Virginia Beach, Chicago, and Hollywood, Florida. It’s a reminder that even though he’s moving into the drama space as a producer, he’s still the king of stand-up.
What this means for the legacy of the original Martin
Some purists are going to hate this. There’s always a segment of the fanbase that thinks you should leave classic shows alone. And look, I get it. Martin was a cultural touchstone that defined Black television in the 90s. But if this new show can tackle themes of community, family, and the struggle of growing up in Detroit with some real depth, it might actually add something to the character.
It’s not replacing the sitcom. It’s just giving us a different lens to look through. If it’s half as good as the better episodes of Bel-Air, it could be a massive hit.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the original first: If you want to understand the "Easter eggs" that will inevitably show up in Young Martin, the original five seasons are currently streaming on platforms like Netflix and BET+.
- Track the tour: If the drama isn't your thing, catch Martin Lawrence live on his 2026 arena tour. Tickets are moving fast for the East Coast dates in particular.
- Keep an eye on Varnell Hill: There have also been talks of a spin-off featuring Tommy Davidson's character, Varnell Hill, which was reportedly green-lit for BET+. Between that and Young Martin, the "Martin-verse" is actually expanding quite a bit.