Tubi has unveiled the official trailer for its upcoming original sci-fi comedy series Demascus, and it’s unlike anything else on television. Blending sharp humor with speculative storytelling, the genre-bending limited series stars Station 19’s Okieriete Onaodowan in the title role, alongside Martin Lawrence in a rare recurring role, Janet Hubert, Caleb Eberhardt, and Shakira Ja’nai Paye.
Originally developed by AMC before being shelved in early 2023, Demascus is finally making its way to screens thanks to a new partnership between AMC Networks and Tubi. The six-episode half-hour series will premiere on August 7, 2025, and is already generating buzz for its fresh take on identity, therapy, and the complexity of the Black male experience.
A Second Chance for a Shelved Story
Created by playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm, Demascus follows a 33-year-old Black man who undergoes an experimental, reality-bending therapy in search of life’s most elusive question: What does it take to be a good man today?
Tubi describes the show as “a comedic, genre-defying, coming-of-age story that explores the gulf between Black male perspectives.” What begins as an introspective journey quickly unravels into something more thrilling—and more dangerous—as Demascus navigates alternate realities that promise transformation but come with unexpected consequences.
“Demascus started out as a play,” Chisholm revealed in a 2023 SXSW Q&A. “I sort of fell in love with the character because it was me, my wife, the people I know. And I had never seen them anywhere.”
A Bold New Move from Tubi
This marks Martin Lawrence’s first television role since 2014’s Partners, and the series continues Tubi’s growing investment in unconventional, diverse storytelling. In recent months, the free ad-supported streamer has not only funded and premiered completed indie projects through Kickstarter collaborations, but also launched a content creator collective and a push to acquire shelved content with untapped potential.
Produced by AMC Studios, Demascus is executive produced by Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul‘s Mark Johnson and Myki Bajaj via Gran Via Productions. Kirk A. Moore (American Crime, For Life) and Chisholm serve as co-showrunners.
Watch the Trailer
The newly released trailer gives viewers a first look at the world of Demascus, packed with slick visuals, existential humor, and a layered portrayal of identity. From awkward therapy sessions to alternate timelines and mind-warping encounters, it’s clear this isn’t your average sci-fi series.