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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (; born July 15, 1986) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Black Manta in the superhero films Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023), Bobby Seale in the Netflix historical legal drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020), and Morpheus / Agent Smith in The Matrix Resurrections (2021). For his portrayal of Cal Abar / Doctor Manhattan in the HBO limited series Watchmen (2019), he won a Primetime Emmy Award. He also starred in episodes of The Handmaid's Tale (2018) and Black Mirror (2019). He made his Broadway debut in the Suzan-Lori Parks play Topdog/Underdog for which he received a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play nomination. He portrays the Marvel Comics character Simon Williams / Wonder Man in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Infobox

Born
(1986-07-15) July 15, 1986 (age 39)New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Education
University of California, Berkeley (BArch)Yale University (MFA)
Occupation
Actor
Years active
2012–present

Tables

· Filmography › Film
2017
The Vanishing of Sidney Hall
Role(s)
Duane Jones
Baywatch
Role(s)
Sergeant Garner Ellerbee
The Greatest Showman
Role(s)
W.D. Wheeler
2018
First Match
Role(s)
Darrel
Boundaries
Role(s)
Serge
Aquaman
Role(s)
David Kane / Black Manta
2019
Us
Role(s)
Russel Thomas / Weyland
Sweetness in the Belly
Role(s)
Aziz
2020
All Day and a Night
Role(s)
Big Stunna
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Role(s)
Bobby Seale
2021
Candyman
Role(s)
Anthony McCoy and Candyman
The Matrix Resurrections
Role(s)
Morpheus / Smith
2022
Ambulance
Role(s)
Will Sharp
2023
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Role(s)
David Kane / Black Manta
2026
The Adventures of Cliff Booth
Role(s)
TBA
Notes
Filming
TBA
Role(s)
By Any Means
Notes
TBA
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2017
The Vanishing of Sidney Hall
Duane Jones
Baywatch
Sergeant Garner Ellerbee
The Greatest Showman
Wheeler
2018
First Match
Darrel
Boundaries
Serge
Aquaman
David Kane / Black Manta
2019
Us
Russel Thomas / Weyland
Sweetness in the Belly
Aziz
2020
All Day and a Night
Big Stunna
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Bobby Seale
2021
Candyman
Anthony McCoy and Candyman
The Matrix Resurrections
Morpheus / Smith
2022
Ambulance
Will Sharp
2023
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
David Kane / Black Manta
2026
The Adventures of Cliff Booth
TBA
Filming
TBA
By Any Means
TBA
Post-production
Key · Filmography › Film
†
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
· Filmography › Television
2018
The Handmaid's Tale
Role(s)
Omar
Notes
Episode: "Baggage"
2019
Black Mirror
Role(s)
Karl
Notes
Episode: "Striking Vipers"
Watchmen
Role(s)
Cal Abar
Notes
Miniseries; 8 episodes
2026
Wonder Man †
Role(s)
Simon Williams / Wonder Man
Notes
Lead role; 8 episodes
TBA
Role(s)
Man on Fire †
Notes
John Creasy
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2016–2017
The Get Down
Clarence "Cadillac" Caldwell
Main role
2018
The Handmaid's Tale
Omar
Episode: "Baggage"
2019
Black Mirror
Karl
Episode: "Striking Vipers"
Watchmen
Cal Abar
Miniseries; 8 episodes
2026
Wonder Man †
Simon Williams / Wonder Man
Lead role; 8 episodes
TBA
Man on Fire †
John Creasy
Lead role
Key · Filmography › Television
†
Denotes series that have not yet been released
· Filmography › Theatre
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2022–2023
Topdog / Underdog
Booth
John Golden Theatre, Broadway debut
· Accolades
2020
Black Reel Awards
Role(s)
Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series
Notes
Watchmen
Primetime Emmy Awards
Role(s)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Notes
Won
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
Role(s)
Best Ensemble
Notes
The Trial of the Chicago 7
2021
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards
Role(s)
Best Ensemble
Notes
Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Awards
Role(s)
Best Ensemble
Notes
Nominated
Black Reel Awards
Role(s)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Notes
Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Role(s)
Best Acting Ensemble
Notes
Won
Detroit Film Critics Society Awards
Role(s)
Best Ensemble
Notes
Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards
Role(s)
Best Ensemble
Notes
Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards
Role(s)
Best Cast Ensemble
Notes
Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
Role(s)
Best Ensemble
Notes
Runner-up
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Role(s)
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Notes
Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards
Role(s)
Best Acting Ensemble
Notes
Nominated
2022
Critics' Choice Super Awards
Role(s)
Best Actor in a Horror Movie
Notes
Candyman
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Role(s)
Best Lead Performance
Notes
Won
2023
Drama League Awards
Role(s)
Distinguished Performance
Notes
Topdog/Underdog
Theatre World Awards
Role(s)
Outstanding Debut Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production
Notes
Won
Tony Awards
Role(s)
Best Leading Actor in a Play
Notes
Nominated
Year
Association
Category
Nominated work
Result
Ref.
2020
Black Reel Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series
Watchmen
Won
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Won
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Ensemble
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Runner-up
2021
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards
Best Ensemble
Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Awards
Best Ensemble
Nominated
Black Reel Awards
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male
Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Best Acting Ensemble
Won
Detroit Film Critics Society Awards
Best Ensemble
Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards
Best Ensemble
Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards
Best Cast Ensemble
Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
Best Ensemble
Runner-up
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards
Best Acting Ensemble
Nominated
2022
Critics' Choice Super Awards
Best Actor in a Horror Movie
Candyman
Won
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Best Lead Performance
Won
2023
Drama League Awards
Distinguished Performance
Topdog/Underdog
Nominated
Theatre World Awards
Outstanding Debut Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production
Won
Tony Awards
Best Leading Actor in a Play
Nominated

References

  1. He played against future NFL player Marshawn Lynch.
  2. BuzzFeed UK
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slxs6yDRVZQ&t=6m21s
  3. calbears.com
    https://calbears.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/yahya-abdul-mateen/2228
  4. Men's Health
    https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a33502233/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-racism-social-justice-essay/
  5. W Magazine
    https://www.wmagazine.com/story/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-trial-of-the-chicago-7-watchmen-aquaman-interview
  6. People
    https://people.com/tv/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-five-things-to-know/
  7. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/movies/candyman-yahya-abdul-mateen.html
  8. New York Daily News
    http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-shines-netflix-article-1.2740011
  9. Gulf News
    http://gulfnews.com/leisure/television/meet-the-get-down-lead-actor-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-1.1874614
  10. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/yahya-abdul-mateen-candyman-feature-1213453/
  11. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cKWH42JPGg
  12. "Alpha Epsilon Lineage"
    https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~aphia/?page_id=27
  13. The Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-is-the-actor-to-know-this-fall-11567601090
  14. CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-get-down-star-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-went-from-architecture-to-acting/
  15. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/baz-luhrmanns-get-down-adds-798651
  16. GQ Middle East
    https://www.gqmiddleeast.com/culture/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-interview-2020
  17. TheWrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/get-down-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-disco-hip-hop-hats-exclusive-video/
  18. Variety
    https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/sidney-hall-review-sundance-logan-lerman-1201970212/
  19. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2016/03/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-baywatch-jacob-latimore-collateral-beauty-1201713044/
  20. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2016/10/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-the-greatest-showman-on-earth-dan-amboyer-brawl-in-cell-block-99-1201837652/
  21. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2016/07/ryan-kwanten-supercon-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-movies-1201782724/
  22. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/aquaman-finds-black-manta-villain-get-down-actor-970629
  23. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2018/07/jordan-peele-usyahya-abdul-mateen-ii-anna-diop-cast-1202429155/
  24. Variety
    https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mgm-jordan-peele-aquamans-yahha-abdul-mateen-ii-as-their-new-candy-man-1203144190/
  25. A.V. Club
    https://www.avclub.com/nia-dacostas-candyman-delayed-until-2021-1845036132
  26. Variety
    https://variety.com/2020/film/news/candyman-release-date-delayed-2021-1234733147/
  27. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2019/03/black-mirror-anthony-mackie-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-cast-in-season-5-1202579630/
  28. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2018/06/watchmen-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-sara-vickers-cast-damon-lindelofs-hbo-pilot-1202419601/
  29. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2020/09/watchmen-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-wins-emmy-outstanding-supporting-actor-limited-series-or-movie-hbo-news-1234580416/
  30. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/25/take-the-red-pill-matrix-4-laurence-fishburne-morpheus
  31. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2022/10/wonder-man-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-to-lead-marvel-series-for-disney-plus-1235159111/
  32. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wonder-man-marvel-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-cast-1235244373/
  33. Essence
    https://www.essence.com/love/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-watchmen-fun-facts-essence-yes-girl/
  34. Men's Health
    https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a33502233/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-racism-social-justice-essay/
  35. Collider
    https://collider.com/the-matrix-4-who-does-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-play-morpheus/
  36. "Black Reel Awards for Television – Past Winners"
    https://www.blackreelawards.com/black-reel-awards-for-television-brats
  37. "Yahya Abdul-Mateen II | Emmy Awards"
    https://www.emmys.com/bios/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii
  38. "2020 FFCC Award Winners"
    http://www.floridafilmcritics.com/2020/12/21/2020-ffcc-winners/
  39. AARP The Magazine
    https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/info-2021/awards-nominations.html
  40. Austin Film Critics Association
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210312170329/https://austinfilmcritics.org/2020-austin-film-critics-association-award-nominations-b7a391b56646
  41. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2021/02/one-night-in-miami-judas-and-the-black-messiah-nominations-21st-annual-black-reel-awards-1234696267/
  42. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2021-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-4144896/
  43. AwardsWatch
    https://awardswatch.com/detroit-film-critics-winners-nomadland-is-top-film-minari-delroy-lindo-also-score/
  44. "2020 Awards"
    https://www.georgiafilmcritics.org/p/2020-awards.html
  45. "The 4th Annual HCA Film Awards Nominees"
    https://hollywoodcriticsassociation.com/hca-film-awards/the-4th-annual-hca-film-awards-nominees/
  46. "2020 San Diego Film Critics Society Award Winners"
    https://www.sdfcs.org/2020-award-winners/
  47. "The 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards"
    https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/27th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards
  48. "The 2020 WAFCA Awards"
    http://www.dcfilmcritics.com/awards/2020.htm
  49. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2022/03/critics-choice-super-awards-2022-winners-listspider-man-no-way-home-squid-game-wandavision-1234981175/
  50. Fangoria
    https://www.fangoria.com/original/a-full-list-of-the-2022-fangoria-chainsaw-awards-winners/
  51. Some Like It Hot
    https://playbill.com/article/some-like-it-hot-annaleigh-ashford-leopoldstadt-more-win-2023-drama-league-awards
  52. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/article/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-darcy-carden-jodie-comer-more-are-2023-theatre-world-award-winners
  53. CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2023-tony-awards-nominations-major-categories/
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