The 39-year-old actor has played a DC villain, a Marvel superhero, a Matrix legend, and an Emmy-winning Doctor Manhattan in just a few years. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II went from a supporting role in Netflix’s “The Get Down” to leading some of the biggest franchises in Hollywood. His resume now includes DC Comics, Marvel Studios, The Matrix, HBO, and major horror reboots. Here is a look at the key roles that turned this Yale-trained actor into the most in-demand franchise star working today.
From Cadillac to Doctor Manhattan: The Early Roles That Started Everything
Abdul-Mateen II first caught attention playing Cadillac in Netflix’s “The Get Down” (2016-2017). The show, created by Baz Luhrmann, told the story of hip-hop’s birth in the Bronx. His performance as a club owner opened doors to bigger projects. He followed that with small parts in “Baywatch” (2017) and “The Greatest Showman” (2017) before landing his first major franchise role.
But the breakthrough came in 2019 with HBO’s “Watchmen.” Abdul-Mateen II played Cal Abar, who turned out to be Doctor Manhattan in a shocking reveal. The performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. It proved he could handle complex, layered characters in big-budget productions.
Black Manta in DC’s Aquaman Films: Playing One of Comic Book Cinema’s Best Villains
Abdul-Mateen II joined the DC Extended Universe as David Kane, also known as Black Manta, in 2018’s “Aquaman.” He returned for the sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (2023). He played the villain who wants revenge against Jason Momoa’s Aquaman for his father’s death.
“BLACK MANTA. Back Under Construction.” – Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, sharing a gym photo before filming the sequel.
The character has become a fan favorite. DC producer Peter Safran confirmed there are plans for Black Manta to play a large role in the future of the DC franchise.
Morpheus in The Matrix Resurrections: Taking Over an Iconic Role
In 2021, Abdul-Mateen II took on one of the riskiest roles of his career. He played Morpheus in “The Matrix Resurrections,” a character made famous by Laurence Fishburne in the original trilogy. The film showed Abdul-Mateen II’s Morpheus offering Neo the red or blue pill, just as Fishburne did.
The actor later explained that his version was a different iteration of the character. He focused on paying tribute to Fishburne’s work while creating something new. He also played Agent Smith in the same film, showing his range by playing two major characters.
Anthony McCoy in Candyman: Leading a Horror Reboot
Abdul-Mateen II starred as Anthony McCoy in the 2021 “Candyman” sequel, produced by Jordan Peele. The film was a direct follow-up to the 1992 horror classic and earned $22 million in its opening weekend. Director Nia DaCosta chose Abdul-Mateen II to play an artist who becomes connected to the Candyman legend. The role showed he could anchor a horror franchise while dealing with heavy social themes.
Bobby Seale in The Trial of the Chicago 7: Drama Credentials
Between all the franchise work, Abdul-Mateen II proved he could handle serious drama. He played Bobby Seale, the co-founder of the Black Panther Party, in Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (2020). The film received a SAG Award for its ensemble cast. Abdul-Mateen II studied Seale’s interviews to prepare for the role, especially the scene where his character gets shackled in court.
“I wore that like a badge of honor.” – Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on playing Bobby Seale.
Simon Williams in Marvel’s Wonder Man: Joining the MCU
Abdul-Mateen II made the jump from DC to Marvel with “Wonder Man,” the Disney+ series that premiered on January 27, 2026. He plays Simon Williams, a struggling Hollywood actor who auditions to play a superhero. The series has eight episodes and falls under Marvel’s “Spotlight” label, meaning viewers do not need deep MCU knowledge to enjoy it.
The actor was careful about joining Marvel. He said he only gets one chance to spend his “Marvel dollar” and wanted to make sure “Wonder Man” was the right fit. The show also brings back Sir Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, first seen in “Iron Man 3”.
John Creasy in Netflix’s Man on Fire: Taking on a Denzel Washington Role
Abdul-Mateen II is set to star as John Creasy in Netflix’s “Man on Fire” TV series. The show is based on A.J. Quinnell’s book series, which inspired the 2004 film starring Denzel Washington. The first look image released in January 2026 showed Abdul-Mateen II in the role. He plays a former Special Forces mercenary dealing with PTSD.
The supporting cast includes Bobby Cannavale, Alice Braga, and Scoot McNairy. Steven Caple Jr., who directed “Creed II,” helmed two episodes. The seven-part first season is expected to arrive sometime in 2026.
Broadway and Tony Nomination: Stage Credentials
Abdul-Mateen II made his Broadway debut in the revival of Suzan-Lori Parks’ play “Topdog/Underdog.” The performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Play. He performed at the Golden Theatre in 2022 alongside actor Corey Hawkins. The stage success added another layer to his resume, proving he could handle live theater as well as blockbuster movies.
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What Else Is Coming: Cliff Booth, By Any Means, and House of Games
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has several major projects in the works. He joined the cast of David Fincher’s “The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” a spin-off of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” The film stars Brad Pitt and will stream on Netflix.
He is also starring opposite Mark Wahlberg in “By Any Means,” a crime thriller set during the Civil Rights era. Paramount Pictures set a theatrical release date of September 4, 2026 for the film. Additionally, he will star alongside Viola Davis in a reimagining of David Mamet’s “House of Games” for Amazon MGM Studios. Both actors will also produce the project through their respective companies.
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