Has the Varnell Hill spinoff series been filmed?

Yes, eight episodes of the 'Varnell Hill' spinoff series have been filmed and are in post-production.

Who did Tommy Davidson reunite with for the Varnell Hill series?

Tommy Davidson reunited with Martin Lawrence for the 'Varnell Hill' series, marking their first on-screen collaboration in approximately 14 years.

Is the Varnell Hill character based on Donnie Simpson?

While not explicitly confirmed, Tommy Davidson suggested that the character of Varnell Hill was inspired by DJ Donnie Simpson's pioneering career in bringing DJs to television.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Tommy Davidson Confirms 'Varnell Hill' Spinoff is Officially Filmed

Tommy Davidson Confirms 'Varnell Hill' Spinoff is Officially Filmed

30 Jan

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Summary

Eight episodes of the 'Martin' spinoff 'Varnell Hill' have been filmed.
Tommy Davidson and Martin Lawrence reunited after 14 years for the project.
The Varnell Hill character is rumored to be based on DJ Donnie Simpson.

Tommy Davidson Confirms 'Varnell Hill' Spinoff is Officially Filmed

Actor Tommy Davidson, 62, has confirmed that a spinoff series centered on his "Martin" character, Varnell Hill, has been filmed. Eight episodes of the show, intended for BET+, are now in post-production. This project marks a significant reunion for Davidson and Martin Lawrence, as they collaborated on-screen for the first time in approximately 14 years.

The idea for the "Varnell Hill" series originated from a conversation about the scarcity of Black late-night hosts, prompting Davidson to reconnect with Lawrence. While Lawrence initially expressed some hesitation, he ultimately agreed to the project, which Davidson described as "bomb." The character of Varnell Hill, a fictional talk show host from season two of "Martin," is reportedly inspired by pioneering DJ Donnie Simpson. However, Davidson clarified that while Simpson paved the way for DJs on camera, Varnell Hill was intentionally portrayed as a more exaggerated and "phony" personality. The development process for "Varnell Hill" took five years, culminating in a deeply emotional table read for Davidson, who described it as overwhelming. He expressed profound gratitude for Lawrence's support and for the opportunity to lead a starring role, surrounded by colleagues he has known for decades.