Get ready for a blast from the past as Martin Lawrence, the iconic star of the 90s sitcom “Martin,” gears up to produce an exciting prequel drama series centered around his beloved character, Martin Payne.
Titled “Young Martin,” the hourlong drama series is a collaboration between Lawrence’s production company, RunTelDat, and Marvin Peart’s WonderHill Studios. Set to be an origin story, the show will delve into the life of a charismatic teenage Martin Payne as he navigates the challenges of transitioning from youth to adulthood, while paying homage to the original beloved character from “Martin.”
Through themes of family, friendship, and the journey of self-discovery, “Young Martin” promises to offer a fresh perspective on the iconic character, providing a deeper insight into his formative years. Marvin Peart, CEO of WonderHill Studios, expressed his admiration for the original show, highlighting how “Martin” had a significant impact on culture and representation during the 90s.
Peart praised Martin Lawrence for his role in bringing Martin Payne to life and acknowledged the positive influence the character had on African American representation both in front of and behind the camera. The collaboration to bring “Young Martin” to the screen is seen as an opportunity to introduce a new generation of fans to the timeless charm of the character.
Notably, Lawrence’s venture into producing a comedy-to-drama adaptation follows in the footsteps of Will Smith’s successful reboot of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in 2022, with the reimagined series “Bel-Air” garnering widespread acclaim and gearing up for its highly anticipated third season premiere on August 15, 2024.
Written by
Derek Chan
