EXCLUSIVE: Dave Z Martin (English Teacher, The Good Daughter) has joined the sophomore season of BET‘s Diarra From Detroit, from creator, executive producer, writer, and star Diarra Kilpatrick. In a recurring role, Martin will play Booker, a street-smart criminal.
Season 1 followed Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick), a divorcing schoolteacher who refuses to believe she’s been ghosted by her rebound Tinder date. Her determined search leads her into a decades-old mystery rooted in the Detroit underworld. As the case deepened, she enlisted the help of her coworkers, friends, and lovers, forming an unlikely crew that navigated danger and secrets.
In addition to Kilpatrick, Bryan Terrell Clark, DomiNque Perry and Jon Chaffin will return for Season 2.
During its linear run on BET in early 2025, the show ranked as the No. 1 new series on cable among Black viewers year-to-date and topped key demos, including Black adults 18-49 and 25-54, and total Black viewers 2+, according to Nielsen. Among all scripted cable series, it currently ranks second overall with Black audiences 18-49 & 25-54, just behind BET’s long-running hit Tyler Perry’s Sistas.
The series was renewed in April.
Produced by BET Studios and Khalabo Ink Society, Diarra From Detroit is executive produced by Kilpatrick, Kenya Barris and Miles Orion Feldsott. BET Studios is the studio.
Martin recurred in seasons 1 and 2 of FX/Hulu’s comedy series English Teacher. He also has a recurring role in Peacock’s upcoming limited series The Good Daughter. He is represented by Trademark Talent.