‘Wonder Man’ star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on cancellation and confidence

This is Fresh Air. I'm Tanya Mosley, and my guest today is Yahya Abdul Mateen the second. He's nominated for an emmy for the Marvel series Wonder Man. He plays Simon Williams, a struggling actor with a secret. He has real superpowers. And if anyone finds out, he doesn't just lose his career, he loses his freedom. Abdul Mateen grew up in both New Orleans and Oakland, studied architecture at UC Berkeley, and worked as a city planner until a layoff sent him to the Yale School of Drama.

He book his first major role in twenty fifteen, nearing thirty, and since then he's performed on Broadway and Top Dog Underdog, been cast as Black Manta and Aquaman, Bobby Seal in the Trial of the Chicago Seven. The lead in Candyman and won an Emmy for playing Doctor Manhattan and HBO's Watman. Wonder Man made him the lead in his very own Marvel series. And then two weeks after his emmy nomination, Disney canceled the show. A few months after a second season had already been announced.

And Yaya Abdul Mateen the second, welcome to fresh air. What's up, what's up, what's up. Uh thank you, I'm happy to be here. Why are you laughing? You know, I don't really reflect back.

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