Netflix dropped all seven episodes of the action thriller series Man on Fire on April 30, 2026. The show brings a fresh take on A.J. Quinnell’s book series, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stepping into the role of John Creasy, a former Special Forces mercenary fighting severe PTSD.
The series follows Creasy as he struggles to overcome his personal demons while protecting a teenage girl in Rio de Janeiro. Viewers have been spotting familiar faces throughout the cast, many of whom have appeared in major movies and TV shows over the years.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II: From Superhero Worlds to Broken Hero
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays John Creasy, a broken former elite mercenary who once survived the toughest situations. The character now deals with deep trauma and alcohol problems after a failed mission. The Emmy-winning actor brings serious range to the role, a key reason showrunner Kyle Killen chose him.
“It’s not that I saw one thing and said, ‘That’s John Creasy.’ It’s that I saw his range, and realized, ‘That’s what John Creasy needs,’” Killen explained.
Abdul-Mateen won an Emmy for playing Dr. Manhattan in HBO’s Watchmen. He also played the villain Black Manta in both Aquaman movies. Fans know him as Morpheus in The Matrix Resurrections and Simon Williams in Marvel’s Wonder Man series. His other credits include Candyman, Us, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Michael Bay’s Ambulance.
One fan wrote online, “I’m only 2 episodes in. I could binge-watch this one. Between Marvel’s Wonder Man and now the Man On Fire series, this dude is really showing off his acting chops in 2026.”
Billie Boullet: From Anne Frank to Poe Rayburn
Billie Boullet plays Poe Rayburn, the teenager Creasy must protect. Poe is forced into hiding in Brazil after she witnesses a terrifying crime. The 21-year-old actress earned a Critics Choice Award nomination for playing Anne Frank in the Hulu series A Small Light. She also appeared in the BBC series The Worst Witch.
Abdul-Mateen praised his young co-star’s work on set. “Billie is just so smart. She asked all of the right questions, the challenging questions, and so she was an excellent scene partner. We just trusted each other,” he said.
Bobby Cannavale: The Emmy-Winning Scene Stealer
Bobby Cannavale plays Paul Rayburn, an old CIA operative friend who invites Creasy to stay with his family in Brazil. Rayburn tries to help Creasy get back to normal life by believing in him when no one else does.
Cannavale won a Primetime Emmy for playing gangster Gyp Rosetti on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. His long list of credits includes Vinyl, Mr. Robot, Homecoming, and Nine Perfect Strangers on TV. On the movie side, he has appeared in Ant-Man, Chef, Blue Jasmine, The Irishman, and MaXXXine.
Alice Braga: Adding Brazilian Authenticity
Brazilian actress Alice Braga plays Valeria Melo, a Rio cab driver who knows the city better than anyone. She becomes a key helper for Creasy, guiding him through dangerous streets while trying to leave the country with her own daughter. Her Brazilian background helped the production stay true to local culture.
“She was always advocating for authenticity, saying, ‘OK, we’ve got to say it like this because this is how it would land more to the Brazilian fans,’” Abdul-Mateen explained. “I think a lot of the things that we were able to get right were due to having her be a part of the team.”
Braga appeared in City of God, one of Brazil’s most famous films. She starred opposite Will Smith in I Am Legend and played a role in The Suicide Squad. She also led the Netflix series Queen of the South and appeared in Apple TV’s Dark Matter.
Scoot McNairy: The Character-Driven Actor
Scoot McNairy plays Henry Tappen, the Deputy Director of the CIA and another of Creasy’s former colleagues. Tappen gets pulled into Creasy’s personal war very quickly.
“He’s such a smart and adaptable actor. He really wanted to understand what made this person tick. He’s looking at geopolitical consequences, not individual harms,” Killen said about McNairy’s approach to playing Tappen.
McNairy won a Screen Actors Guild Award with the cast of Argo. His TV work includes Halt and Catch Fire, True Detective, and Narcos: Mexico. On film, he has appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Speak No Evil, Nightbitch, and A Complete Unknown.
Paul Ben-Victor: The Wire Fans Know This Face
Paul Ben-Victor plays Moncrief, another character in Creasy’s world. Viewers know him best from The Wire, where he played a memorable role. He also appeared in True Detective and The Irishman.
Thomás Aquino and the Brazilian Cast
Thomás Aquino plays Prado Soares, the right-hand man to Brazil’s president. He appeared in the Academy Award-nominated film The Secret Agent. Jefferson Baptista plays Livro, a young man from the favelas who becomes friends with Poe. Iago Xavier plays Vico, a street-smart and dangerous gang leader who controls a favela in Rio.
The series also includes Alex Ozerov-Meyer as Ivan, an old colleague who joins Creasy’s mission. He has appeared in The Americans, Orphan Black, and Blindspot.
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The Original Man on Fire Films
This is not the first time Man on Fire has been adapted for the screen. The 1987 film starred Scott Glenn as Creasy, alongside Joe Pesci and the late Danny Aiello. The 2004 version featured Denzel Washington as Creasy and a young Dakota Fanning as the girl he protects. The new Netflix series reimagines the story with a seven-episode arc and a different approach to the characters.
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