‘Young Martin’ Prequel Drama Series In Works From Martin Lawrence & WonderHill Studios
The Martin reunion was a standout moment at this year’s Emmy Awards, sparking nostalgia and bringing the iconic 90s sitcom back into the limelight. Building on this momentum, Martin Lawrence and his production company, RunTelDat, are collaborating with Marvin Peart’s WonderHill Studios to introduce a new hourlong drama series, Young Martin.
Young Martin offers a contemporary take on Martin Payne’s origin story, focusing on his teenage years. The character, originally portrayed by Lawrence on Martin, is reimagined as a charismatic teenager navigating the challenges of growing up. This new series pays tribute to the original show, which aired from 1992 to 1997 on Fox.
The dramatic approach of Young Martin mirrors the path taken by another 90s classic, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, with its recent reboot, Bel-Air, executive produced by Will Smith.
The executive producers of Young Martin include Martin Lawrence, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, and Stacy Lyles from RunTelDat, alongside Bob Yari, David McPherson, Rosa Peart, and Greg Martin from WonderHill Studios. Despite Yari and Peart parting ways, they continue to collaborate on this exciting project.
Young Martin is WonderHill Studios’ first TV project, underscoring their commitment to cultural authenticity. Marvin Peart, CEO of WonderHill, expressed his admiration for Martin Lawrence’s impact on television and the significance of bringing Martin Payne to a new generation.
“Martin was a show that defined culture and positivity, reflecting a real group of friends from our community. It’s an honor to partner with Martin and his younger self to share him with new fans,” Peart said.
During its five-season run, Martin, co-created by Lawrence with John Bowman and Topper Carew, won People’s Choice and NAACP Image awards. The series’ revival began with a highly rated 30th-anniversary reunion special on BET+ in 2022, featuring performances by Snoop Dogg and Bryan McKnight. The recent 75th Emmy Awards further celebrated Martin’s legacy with a set recreation and cast reunion.
Currently, Martin Lawrence is back on the big screen with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which has grossed $361 million worldwide, pushing the franchise past $1.2 billion globally. Lawrence is represented by IAG, Artists First, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman.
Young Martin promises to bring a fresh and engaging perspective to the beloved character, blending nostalgia with contemporary storytelling.
