Netflix has released the first teaser trailer and images for its upcoming series “Man on Fire,” giving viewers their first real look at Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the role of John Creasy. The streaming giant also confirmed the show will premiere globally on April 30, 2026 .
The seven-episode action drama is based on A.J. Quinnell’s book series and marks the third time the character has been brought to the screen. Denzel Washington played Creasy in Tony Scott’s 2004 film, while Scott Glenn took on the role in a 1987 adaptation .
What the Series Is About
“Man on Fire” follows John Creasy, a former Special Forces mercenary who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The character, once known for surviving the most dangerous situations, now struggles with severe PTSD and personal demons .
According to the official logline, Creasy wants to overcome his trauma and find a new path. But before he can adjust to this different life, circumstances pull him back into danger, forcing him to fight harder than ever .
The series moves the action to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, shifting from the Mexico setting of the 2004 film and Italy from the 1987 version . Filming took place in Brazil and Mexico City .
In the teaser, a narrator says Creasy’s “history looks impressive, but his best days are far behind him.” Abdul-Mateen’s character quickly responds, “You sure about that?” The footage shows him taking down enemies and walking away from explosions, warning someone, “You’re not going to survive this” .
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on Playing John Creasy
The Emmy-winning actor, known for “Watchmen,” “Candyman,” and the recent “Wonder Man” series, serves as both star and executive producer . He spoke about his approach to the character in recent interviews.
Abdul-Mateen explained he understands why viewers might connect with his version of Creasy. “We’re watching him do the best he can to survive,” he told Esquire in January. “And he’s really good at surviving under pressure. The hope is that we see the journey of a man who has gone from becoming consumed by the fire to consuming the fire himself and becoming the fire” .
The actor also addressed inevitable comparisons to Denzel Washington’s iconic performance. “I don’t worry about what people’s expectations are in terms of comparing myself to Denzel,” Abdul-Mateen said. “I have confidence in myself, and that’s a great company to be named alongside of” .
He emphasized that his Creasy is not a typical action hero. “Throughout the series, he’s never fully formed into an action hero. He is, at all times, the guy from Episode 1 who is struggling. To me, that makes him incredibly human, incredibly flawed” .
The Creative Team Behind the Series
Kyle Killen serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer. Killen, who worked on “Halo,” “Awake,” and “Lone Star,” called himself “a gigantic fan” of the 2004 film and said adapting Quinnell’s concept for television was “an incredibly fun property to play with” .
Steven Caple Jr. directs the first two episodes and also executive produces. Caple Jr. previously directed “Creed II” and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” . He worked closely with Abdul-Mateen to explore new dimensions of the character.
“We got a chance to tap into his vulnerability a lot,” Caple Jr. said about working with Abdul-Mateen. “When you meet Yahya, he’s like this 6’2″ dude, super handsome. So now we’re like, ‘Hey, no, we find you on the brink of the edge of not knowing how to perceive life anymore and who you are and lost’” .
Other directors include Vicente Amorim (episodes 3 and 4), Clare Kilner (episodes 5 and 6), and Michael Cuesta (episode 7) .
Full Cast and Character Details
The series features a strong ensemble cast alongside Abdul-Mateen II.
Billie Boullet plays Poe Rayborn, described as a young woman “growing at a rapid and confusing pace” who moves to Brazil when her parents relocate. After witnessing a terrifying event, she forms an alliance with Creasy . The character has been aged up from the child Pita Ramos in the 2004 film, allowing for a different dynamic. Boullet is 21 .
Alice Braga (“City of God,” “Queen of the South”) portrays Valeria Melo, a professional driver with family ties to a gang in a local favela. After Creasy hires her, she becomes his right hand in protecting a young girl and going after terrorists .
Bobby Cannavale (“Blue Moon,” “Only Murders in the Building”) takes on a guest role as Paul Rayburn, an ex-Special Forces soldier with a sharp ability to read people .
Scoot McNairy (“A Complete Unknown,” “True Detective”) plays Henry Tappan, an intelligent and manipulative CIA agent .
Paul Ben-Victor (“The Wire”) also stars in the series .
How the Series Connects to the Books and Films
The Netflix series draws from more source material than the previous films. While the 2004 movie was based solely on Quinnell’s 1980 novel, the show draws from multiple books in the Creasy series, including “The Perfect Kill,” “The Blue Ring,” “Black Horn,” and “Message From Hell” .
Deadline confirms the adaptation specifically uses “Man on Fire” and “The Perfect Kill,” the first two books in Quinnell’s five-book series .
Killen explained that reading the entire series opened up new possibilities. “You see the different ways that the Creasy character interacts with people. They’re always in need and he is always the solution to their problems, but it gives you a different perspective from just the one situation we have with Pita” .
The showrunner emphasized that the creative team has “a tremendous amount of reverence for the films,” but wants audiences to see this as “an entirely new and exciting property in its own right” .
Executive Producers and Production Companies
The series brings together major production companies and experienced executive producers.
New Regency Productions executives Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Natalie Lehmann serve as executive producers. Chernin Entertainment’s Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Tracey Cook are also on board. Killen and Scott Pennington executive produce for Chapter Eleven .
Additional executive producers include Ed McDonnell, Michael Polaire, and Stacy Perskie for RedRum.
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What the First Look Reveals
The teaser trailer and images released this week showcase the series’ Brazilian setting and action tone. Photos show Abdul-Mateen II in tense situations with Boullet’s character and Braga’s Valeria Melo .
Caple Jr. described the visual approach to Creasy’s journey. “For us, it was like uncovering that within our first block and seeing and setting up the pieces for where he was going to go on this journey and how Brazil would affect him, how Poe would affect him” .
Abdul-Mateen added that Poe’s character sees through Creasy in ways others don’t. “She can see through him. He can’t rock her to sleep with a fairytale. He’s dealing with the truth of the situation right in front of her eyes, and so she’s watching him. He is not as impenetrable” .
All seven episodes of “Man on Fire” will premiere on Netflix on April 30, 2026 .
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