# Marlon (TV series)
**Marlon** is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from August 16, 2017, to July 12, 2018, starring comedian [Marlon Wayans](https://www.edgepedia.org/marlon-wayans) as a fictionalized version of himself, a loving but immature divorced father co-parenting his two children with his organized ex-wife.[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon) • [2](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/marlon/Gedy8Tj5iMaRAsKj2VQ3P4/where-to-watch/) The series was created by Wayans and Christopher Moynihan and ran for two seasons of ten episodes each.[3](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/marlon/) • [4](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/marlon)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Network and run | NBC, August 16, 2017 to July 12, 2018; two seasons, 20 episodes[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon) • [2](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/marlon/Gedy8Tj5iMaRAsKj2VQ3P4/where-to-watch/) |
| Creators | Marlon Wayans and Christopher Moynihan, who also served as executive producers with Rick Alvarez and Michael Rotenberg[3](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/marlon/) • [1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon) |
| Premise | Loosely inspired by Wayans' real life; a divorced dad balances fatherhood, friendship, and a career as an internet superstar while co-parenting with his ex-wife Ashley[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon) |
| Main cast | Marlon Wayans (Marlon Wayne), Essence Atkins (Ashley Wayne), Notlim Taylor (Marley Wayne), Amir O'Neil (Zack Wayne), Bresha Webb (Yvette), Diallo Riddle (Stevie)[5](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/marlon/cast/1000645262/) |
| Critical reception | Metascore 55 (mixed or average) from 10 critics; Rotten Tomatoes 50% Tomatometer and 75% audience score; IMDb 7.0/10 from about 5,200 ratings[3](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/marlon/) • [1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5720168/ratings/) |
| Cancellation | NBC canceled the series after its second season wrapped in July 2018[7](https://www.thewrap.com/marlon-midnight-texas-canceled-by-nbc/) |
| Format | Multi-camera comedy, TV-PG, roughly 21 minutes per episode[4](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/marlon) |
## Premise and production
The show centers on Marlon Wayne, an exaggerated version of the comedian, who tries to give his children Marley and Zack a stable family life after an amicable divorce while sharing parenting duties with his ex-wife Ashley, a controlled and assertive counterpart to his over-the-top personality. His status as an internet superstar supplies recurring comic material, and his misguided fatherly advice often produces the opposite of its intended effect.[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon) • [8](https://www.justwatch.com/de/Serie/Marlon)
NBC ordered the series in May 2016, with [Essence Atkins](https://www.edgepedia.org/essence-atkins) cast as the ex-wife and Notlim Taylor and Amir O'Neil as the children; Christopher Moynihan signed on as writer and executive producer.[9](https://www.tvguide.com/news/marlon-a-new-sitcom-based-on-marlon-wayans-is-heading-to-nbc/) Production companies included [Universal Television](https://www.edgepedia.org/universal-television), Bicycle Path Productions, Baby Way Productions, and 3 Arts Entertainment.[10](https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbc-orders-sophomore-season-marlon-169006) NBC ordered a second season after the first.[10](https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbc-orders-sophomore-season-marlon-169006)
## Reception
The series debut drew the second most-watched new summer comedy premiere on the Big 4 broadcast networks in ten years, according to Nielsen figures reported at the time.[11](https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/marlon-off-to-solid-start-on-nbc/) Critical response was mixed. Metacritic assigned a Metascore of 55 based on 10 reviews, with 3 positive, 7 mixed, and none negative.[3](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/marlon/) Rotten Tomatoes recorded a 50% Tomatometer from 10 reviews against a 75% audience score.[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon) Viewers rated the show higher: IMDb users gave it 7.0 out of 10 across about 5,200 ratings.[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5720168/ratings/)
Critics frequently singled out Wayans' performance. [Entertainment Weekly](https://www.edgepedia.org/entertainment-weekly) called the show "a satisfying throwback to '90s-era family sitcoms," scoring it 83, while [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-hollywood-reporter)'s Daniel Fienberg judged that "Marlon is too much Marlon," scoring it 40.[12](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/marlon/critic-reviews/) The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus for season 1 held that Wayans is "an engaging comedian and performer" whose humor is "ill-served by the conventionality of this square sitcom."[13](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon/s01)
## Cancellation and distribution
NBC canceled Marlon after its second season, which concluded in July 2018; the finale, "Funeral Party," aired July 12, 2018.[7](https://www.thewrap.com/marlon-midnight-texas-canceled-by-nbc/) • [2](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/marlon/Gedy8Tj5iMaRAsKj2VQ3P4/where-to-watch/) Although it aired on NBC in the United States, Netflix carried the international rights exclusively, so the series was labeled a Netflix Original outside the US. Netflix US added season 1 on June 14, 2018, and season 2 exactly a year later, then removed both on June 14, 2023.[14](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/leaving-soon/comedy-series-marlon-leaving-netflix-in-june-2023/)
As of late 2026, the series is not included with any subscription streaming service in the tracked regions; it is available for digital purchase on Amazon Video, the Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home, with US season prices starting around $12.99.[4](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/marlon) • [15](https://www.flickfinder.net/tv/marlon-2017-71887)
## Cast notes
Diallo Riddle, who played Marlon's friend Stevie in all 20 episodes, was later described by Time as "a bright spot" in the short-lived sitcom before he co-created South Side and Sherman's Showcase.[5](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/marlon/cast/1000645262/) • [16](https://time.com/5629222/south-side-shermans-showcase-tv-show-writers/) [Gregg Wayans](https://www.edgepedia.org/gregg-wayans), brother of the star, appeared in three episodes in multiple roles, and Dwayne Wayans composed the theme music.[17](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5720168/fullcredits/)
## References
1. [Marlon, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon)
2. [Where to Watch Marlon, Moviefone](https://www.moviefone.com/tv-shows/marlon/Gedy8Tj5iMaRAsKj2VQ3P4/where-to-watch/)
3. [Marlon Reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/marlon/)
4. [Marlon, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/marlon)
5. [Marlon, Full Cast & Crew, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/marlon/cast/1000645262/)
6. [Marlon (2017–2018) Ratings, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5720168/ratings/)
7. ['Marlon,' 'Midnight, Texas' Canceled by NBC, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/marlon-midnight-texas-canceled-by-nbc/)
8. [Marlon, JustWatch (Germany)](https://www.justwatch.com/de/Serie/Marlon)
9. [Marlon, A New Sitcom Based On Marlon Wayans, Is Heading to NBC, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/news/marlon-a-new-sitcom-based-on-marlon-wayans-is-heading-to-nbc/)
10. [NBC Orders Sophomore Season of 'Marlon', Broadcasting+Cable](https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbc-orders-sophomore-season-marlon-169006)
11. ['Marlon' Off To Solid Start On NBC, TV News Check](https://tvnewscheck.com/uncategorized/article/marlon-off-to-solid-start-on-nbc/)
12. [Marlon critic reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/marlon/critic-reviews/)
13. [Marlon: Season 1, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/marlon/s01)
14. [Comedy Series 'Marlon' Leaving Netflix in June 2023, What's on Netflix](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/leaving-soon/comedy-series-marlon-leaving-netflix-in-june-2023/)
15. [Where to watch Marlon (2017), FlickFinder](https://www.flickfinder.net/tv/marlon-2017-71887)
16. [This Late-Night Comedy Duo Created Two of the Summer's Funniest New Shows, Time](https://time.com/5629222/south-side-shermans-showcase-tv-show-writers/)
17. [Marlon (TV Series 2017–2018) Full cast & crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5720168/fullcredits/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Scripted television and comedy series › Sitcom and comedy series › American sitcoms and comedy series › 2010s and later network sitcoms*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 20, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 20, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license