‘Wonder Man’ Star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Speaks Out Over Season 2 Cancellation After Show Was Renewed

After reports circulated on July 30 that Marvel’s critically acclaimed show “Wonder Man” had been reportedly canceled, its star took to social media to respond. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who plays main character Simon Williams, confirmed in a social media post that the show would not be returning after one season, saying, “that’s life, right?” The news comes just months after the show announced that it had been renewed for a second season. The Marvel star thanked fans of the show, which debuted in January. “Word just dropped that Wonder Man won’t be coming back for Season 2. (And if you don’t knowww, now ya knoww! 😬)” Abdul-Mateen II, 40, wrote. “Everything will shake out. I wanted to say thank you to everybody who WATCHED the show, ENJOYED the show, and SHARED that they enjoyed the show in some way or other.” Marvel did not immediately respond to TODAY.com’s request for comment. The show, which ran for eight episodes, followed aspiring Hollywood actor Simon Williams as he attempts to make it in the entertainment industry. Along the way, he meets actor Trevor Slattery, played by Ben Kingsley, whose colorful past has placed him in a rather difficult spot in his career. After getting the chance to star in iconic director Von Kovak’s remake of superhero film “Wonder Man,” Simon grows closer to Trevor. And the two navigate the industry while also working through secrets of their own. Abdul Mateen said plainly that the “show worked.” He also acknowledged the positive reception from fans and said that he had been following viewers’ reactions. As of Aug. 1, the show scores a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. “The show worked. And that’s my favorite thing about it,” he said. “I could see it on the faces of the Youtube Reactors (because I watched along with y’all this time. Shoutout to y’all) and I can see in the messages I get saying how the show reminded some of you not to give up, and I feel it in the genuine love shared when I bump into some of you all during the day.” Abdul Mateen, whose performance in the Marvel show earned him an Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, said he was proud to be a “part of something cool.” “Thank you for watching… And uhh… See you at the EMMYS. 🫡✌🏾” he wrote. The news came as a shock to fans. In March, Marvel announced that the show would be returning for a second season. And during an April panel hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, several of those involved touched on what the then-upcoming season would look like. Writer Andrew Guest told the crowd that writing had already begun. “Simon still has super powers. It is still about this relationship, about two artists, and our industry,” Guest said. “That is essentially what we want to maintain.”