Created by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest.
Wonder Man premiered on January 27, 2026.
Distributed by Disney+.
Wonder Man TV Series Review
Wonder Man is a refreshing Marvel series that focuses more on people than powers.
The story follows Simon Williams, a struggling actor whose life changes after gaining superhuman abilities.
Instead of constant action, the show explores fame, identity, and personal growth.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers a strong and emotional performance, while Ben Kingsley adds humor and heart.
The series blends comedy, drama, and light superhero moments in a calm, thoughtful way.
Wonder Man feels different from most Marvel shows, offering a slower pace and deeper character focus.
It is an enjoyable watch for viewers who like story-driven superhero tales.
CR Rating: 7:10.
Wonder Man Actors
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams / Wonder Man
DOB: July 15, 1986.
Bio: Emmy-winning American actor whose career bridges prestige television, blockbuster cinema, and theatre.
He studied architecture at the University of California, Berkeley before training at the Yale School of Drama (now the David Geffen School of Drama).
Role: Simon Williams is an ambitious Hollywood actor whose life takes a surreal turn when he develops ionic-based superpowers.
In Wonder Man, Simon is less interested in heroics than in being taken seriously as a performer, leading to a series that explores fame, identity, ego, and purpose within the MCU.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Abdul-Mateen has described Simon as introspective, offbeat, and emotionally conflicted, a deliberate contrast to traditional Marvel heroes.
Notable works: Watchmen, Aquaman, Candyman, The Matrix Resurrections.
X Mayo as Janelle Jackson
DOB: July 27, 1987.
Bio: American comedian, writer, and actor known for her sharp observational humor and confident screen presence.
She previously worked as a writer and correspondent for The Daily Show and has steadily expanded into scripted television, earning attention for scene-stealing comedic performances in series such as Loot and Swarm.
Role: Janelle Jackson is Simon Williams’ driven and no-nonsense talent agent.
She operates as Simon’s primary professional anchor, navigating auditions, industry politics, and the absurdities of Hollywood while trying to keep her client focused and employable.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Mayo’s background as a writer gives her performance a grounded comic timing that helps balance the show’s metafictional beats.
Notable works: The Daily Show (writer), Loot, Swarm.
Zlatko Burić as Von Kovak
DOB: May 13, 1953.
Bio: Croatian-born, Denmark-based actor with a long and respected career across European cinema, television, and international productions.
Known for his imposing screen presence and intellectual edge, he frequently collaborates with auteur filmmakers and excels at portraying complex authority figures, outsiders, and morally ambiguous power players.
Role: Von Kovak is a renowned but reclusive film director hired to helm the in-universe Wonder Man movie remake.
Intensely demanding and creatively uncompromising, Kovak subjects actors to psychological and emotional pressure in the name of “truth,” becoming a significant challenge for Simon Williams as both an artist and a person.
Episodes: 4 eps.
Interesting facts: The character deliberately leans into familiar auteur-director archetypes from European and prestige cinema.
Notable works: Triangle of Sadness, 2012, Pusher series.
Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery
DOB: December 31, 1943.
Bio: Academy Award–winning English actor whose career spans stage, film, and television.
Classically trained and renowned for his transformative character work, he achieved global acclaim with Gandhi (1982) and has since balanced prestige drama with bold, unconventional roles.
Role: Trevor Slattery returns as the eccentric, luck-prone actor infamous for once impersonating the Mandarin.
In Wonder Man, Trevor forms an unlikely bond with Simon Williams, acting as a chaotic mentor, emotional foil, and occasional opportunist.
Episodes: 7 eps.
Interesting facts: Kingsley’s Slattery arc has been described by producers as sincere and redemptive. Fans of Kingsley will spot a layered three-act structure for Slattery in the show.
Notable works: Gandhi, Sexy Beast, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Arian Moayed as P. Cleary
DOB: April 15, 1980.
Bio: Iranian-American actor, playwright, and director with a strong background in theatre and screen.
He is a Tony Award–nominated performer, recognized for his stage work, and gained widespread attention for his sharp, unsettling turn as Stewy Hosseini on HBO’s Succession.
Role: P. Cleary is an agent of the Department of Damage Control tasked with monitoring and evaluating superpowered individuals.
In Wonder Man, Cleary views Simon Williams less as a person and more as a potential liability, functioning as a procedural antagonist whose presence embodies the MCU’s expanding bureaucratic surveillance of enhanced beings.
Episodes: 5 eps.
Interesting facts: Moayed’s knack for quietly slimy or morally ambiguous roles makes Cleary feel plausibly bureaucratic and dangerous.
Notable works: Succession, Inventing Anna, Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Joe Pantoliano as Himself
DOB: September 12, 1951.
Bio: A veteran American character actor with a career spanning over 150 film and television roles.
He is widely recognized for The Goonies, Memento, The Matrix trilogy, and his Emmy-winning performance on The Sopranos. Known for his distinctive presence and versat
Role: Pantoliano plays a fictionalized version of himself, an old rival of Trevor Slattery, within Wonder Man.
His appearances offer a meta-commentary on Hollywood, adding comic friction, insider humor, and self-referential satire.
Episodes: 2 eps.
Interesting facts: Pantoliano leans into the fictionalized version of himself, poking fun at Hollywood rivalries and industry anecdotes.
Notable works: Memento, The Sopranos, The Matrix, The Goonies.
Byron Bowers as DeMarr Davis / Doorman
DOB: November 24, 1978.
Bio: American comedian and actor known for his sharp improvisational skills, surreal comedic sensibility, and versatile supporting roles across television, film, and stand-up.
His timing and distinctive voice often elevate offbeat or darkly humorous material, making him a standout in ensemble casts.
Role: Bowers plays DeMarr Davis, the former Wilcox Club doorman who possesses phasing powers.
His origin story is central to the “Doorman Clause,” a fictional Hollywood rule banning powered individuals from acting.
Episodes: 1 episode.
Interesting facts: The Doorman subplot is intentionally surreal and comedic, and Bowers’ stand-up background helps ground the absurdity with precise timing and character nuance.
Notable works: Stand-up specials, TV guest appearances, supporting roles in comedy-dramas.
Josh Gad as Himself
DOB: February 23, 1981.
Bio: American actor, comedian, and Broadway star, widely recognized for his Tony-nominated work in The Book of Mormon and as the voice of Olaf in Frozen.
Gad frequently blends musical theatre, comedy, and film/TV work, and is known for self-aware, meta-humor when playing versions of himself.
Role: Gad portrays a fictionalized version of himself, a showbiz buddy who becomes entangled with DeMarr Davis/Doorman’s powers in a heist-film subplot.
His performance balances self-parody, comedic exaggeration, and genuine emotional beats.
Episodes: 1 episode.
Interesting facts: Gad has joked that he applied “method acting” ironically for this role.
Notable works: Frozen, The Book of Mormon (stage), various film/comedy projects.
Olivia Thirlby as Vivian
DOB: October 6, 1986.
Bio: American actress known for her breakout role in Juno and for strong, nuanced performances in both indie and mainstream projects, including Goliath and Above the Shadows.
She brings depth and emotional authenticity to complex supporting characters.
Role: Vivian is an actress and Simon Williams’ ex-girlfriend.
Her recurring appearances in Season 1 establish Simon’s Hollywood lifestyle, highlight professional and romantic pressures, and underscore the tension between his acting ambitions and personal life.
Episodes: 3 eps.
Interesting facts: Thirlby’s indie roots help anchor the show’s more grounded romantic beats against the surreal superhero material.
Notable works: Juno, Goliath, Above the Shadows.
Béchir Sylvain as Sanford Williams
DOB: September 16, 1981.
Bio: Haitian-American actor and writer with growing credits in film and television.
He brings authenticity and lived experience to the Williams family dynamic, helping flesh out Simon’s backstory.
Role: Sanford Williams is Simon’s late father.
Flashbacks to his life, including formative childhood trips to see the original Wonder Man film, inform Simon’s idolization of the character and his deep desire to pursue acting.
Episodes: 3 eps.
Interesting facts: The father figure scenes are used to ground Simon’s emotional motives and explain his attachment to the Wonder Man myth.
Notable works: Jurassic World Rebirth, Mountains.
Demetrius Grosse as Eric Williams
DOB: February 26, 1981.
Bio: American actor with a steady career across television and film.
He is known for playing grounded, pragmatic characters in dramas, combining emotional depth with a commanding presence.
Role: Eric Williams is Simon’s older brother. A stable, insurance-working figure, he serves as a foil to Simon’s chaotic Hollywood life.
His level-headed demeanor highlights the family dynamics, responsibilities, and expectations that shape Simon’s personal and professional struggles.
Episodes: 2 eps.
Interesting facts: Grosse’s experience in TV dramas allows him to play the credible “straight man” against Simon’s impulsive tendencies, grounding the series’ family scenes.
Notable works: Banshee, 13 Hours, multiple TV guest roles.
Jon A. Abrahams as Frank Preminger
DOB: October 29, 1977.
Bio: American actor and director with a career spanning both independent and studio films since the 1990s.
He is known for bringing grounded, recognizable character energy to supporting roles in comedies, dramas, and thrillers.
Role: Frank Preminger is DeMarr Davis’s agent.
Though a smaller role, he plays a key part in connecting the Doorman origin story to broader Hollywood dynamics, handling contracts, PR, and the practical consequences of powered individuals entering the film industry.
Episodes: 2 eps.
Interesting facts: Preminger’s scenes help translate the Doorman subplot into industry consequences (contracts, clauses, PR).
Notable works: Meet the Parents, House of Wax, indie/character films.
More Actors
• Ashley Greene as fictionalized version of herself.
• Phumzile Sitole as Lauren (director on the in-show set).
• Dane Larsen as Brent Willard (actor who played original Wonder Man).
• Shola Adewusi as Martha Williams (Simon’s mother).
• Charlotte Ross as Bridget (Wilcox Club owner).
FAQ – Wonder Man TV Series
What is Wonder Man about?
Wonder Man follows Simon Williams, a struggling Hollywood actor who discovers his superpowers while trying to land a role in a Wonder Man film remake. Alongside veteran actor Trevor Slattery, he navigates Hollywood, superhero identity and personal growth.
Is Wonder Man part of the MCU?
Yes. It is an official Marvel Cinematic Universe television miniseries and part of Phase Six.
Does Wonder Man have ties to other MCU stories?
Yes. Characters from earlier MCU projects like Trevor Slattery and Agent P. Cleary appear, connecting it to the wider MCU continuity and lore.
How many episodes are in Wonder Man Season 1?
The show consists of eight episodes, each released together on launch day.
Where can I watch Wonder Man?
Wonder Man is streaming exclusively on Disney+ worldwide.
Conclusion
Wonder Man stands out as a character-focused Marvel series that values storytelling over spectacle.
Its thoughtful approach, strong performances, and gentle humor make it feel fresh within the MCU.
By exploring identity, fame, and personal purpose, the show offers something different yet meaningful, making it a worthwhile watch for fans seeking a more grounded superhero story.