Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will both have dramatic series from their classic sitcoms.

Following the success of “Bel-Air,” which reimagined Will’s life with a dramatic twist, Martin Payne is now set for a similar revival.

The hour-long drama “Young Martin,” a contemporary reimagining of Martin Lawrence’s beloved 1990s sitcom character, is in development by the veteran actor himself, as reported by Deadline.

Set in present-day Detroit, the series chronicles the life of young Payne, described as a “spirited teenager whose journey is marked by ambition, humor, and genuine compassion for those around him,” according to the official logline.

“Youth Martin” will explore themes of family, friendship, and the challenges of balancing adolescence and adulthood. With Martin’s “quick wit and magnetic personality,” he often finds himself in high-stakes situations, forcing him to confront various obstacles and emotions while striving for success.

The series does not yet have a network attached.

THE ORIGINAL MARTIN

The original “Martin,” which aired for five seasons from 1992 to 1997 on Fox, followed the titular radio talk show host as he navigated his relationship with girlfriend Gina (Tisha Campbell) and friends Tommy (Thomas Mikal Ford), Cole (Carl Anthony Payne II), and Pam (Tichina Arnold).

In 2022, the surviving cast members reunited for the BET+ special “Martin: The Reunion,” sharing behind-the-scenes stories and discussing the show’s enduring legacy. Original cast member Thomas Mikal Ford passed away in 2016.

“Young Martin” is executive-produced by Martin Lawrence, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, and Stacy Lyles under the RunTelDat banner, along with Bob Yari, David McPherson, Rosa Peart, and Greg Martin for WonderHill Studios.

YOUNG MARTIN

“Young Martin” is a contemporary origin story centered on Martin Payne, a charismatic teenager navigating the complexities of transitioning from youth to adulthood. It reimagines the character played by Lawrence on “Martin,” paying homage to the original show.

Set in modern-day Detroit, “Young Martin” follows Martin Payne, a spirited teenager whose journey is characterized by ambition, humor, and a genuine compassion for those around him. The show will explore themes of family, friendship, and life as the young Payne balances the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood. Martin’s quick wit and magnetic personality draw him into high-stakes situations, where he must confront obstacles, emotions, and ultimately, find his path to success.

MARTIN REUNION

The recent reunion of the “Martin” cast was a highlight of this year’s Emmy Awards, tapping into nostalgia and bringing the 90s sitcom back into the pop culture conversation. The beloved comedy is now looking for a more permanent return with “Young Martin,” a new hour-long drama series from Martin Lawrence and his production company, RunTelDat, in collaboration with Marvin Peart’s WonderHill Studios.

MARTIN LAWRENCE BRAINCHILD

The executive producers of “Young Martin” include Lawrence, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, and Stacy Lyles from RunTelDat, along with Bob Yari, David McPherson, Rosa Peart, and Greg Martin for WonderHill Studios. This collaboration marks WonderHill Studios’ inaugural TV project, emphasizing cultural authenticity.

“Out of all the hit shows during the 90s, there was only one ‘Martin’ — a show that defined culture and positivity. ‘Martin’ reflected a real group of friends from our community that wound up on TV screens all over the world,” said WonderHill CEO Marvin Peart. “I respected and revered Martin Lawrence for creating Martin Payne and what he did for African Americans on television, both in front of and behind the camera. In many ways, he influenced my path in the entertainment industry, and it’s an honor to partner with Martin and his younger self to share him with the next generation of fans.”

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