Best Of: ‘Wonder Man’ actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II / John Coltrane centennial

Tonya Mosley (0:00)

From WHYY in Philadelphia, this is Fresh Air Weekend, I'm Tonya Mosley. Today, actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. He's nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the Marvel series Wonder Man.

But two weeks after his nomination, Disney announced the series would not return for a second season. But getting laid off is how he found acting in the first place.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (0:24)

I keep on getting laid off and losing jobs. What's up with that? Every time I do it, it turns into something better. You know what I mean? So I wonder what this one is going to turn into.

Tonya Mosley (0:33)

Also, we'll hear from saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, son of jazz musician John Coltrane. He was two when his father died, and growing up, he was just known as Ravi.

Ravi Coltrane (0:45)

But as soon as I picked up the saxophone, suddenly I was John Coltrane's son.

Tonya Mosley (0:48)

Plus, Ken Tucker reviews a new album by the trio, The Womack Sisters, granddaughters of Sam Cooke and nieces of Bobby Womack. That's coming up on Fresh Air Weekend.

This is Fresh Air Weekend. I'm Tonya Mosley, and my guest today is Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. 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 booked his first major role in 2015, nearing 30, and since then he's performed on Broadway in Top Dog, Underdog, been cast as Black Manta in Aquaman, Bobby Seale in The Trial of the Chicago 7, the lead in Candyman, and won an Emmy for playing Dr. Manhattan in HBO's Watchmen. 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 Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, welcome to Fresh Air.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (2:12)

What's up? What's up? What's up? Thank you. I'm happy to be here.

Tonya Mosley (2:15)

Why are you laughing?

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (2:17)

You know, I don't really reflect back so far, that far, you know. When first you say my name and then you go through and you tell the story. And then when you end it off, you say, and he just lost his job.

And now he's sitting in front of me and he just lost his job. And I just thought that that was so, so funny the way that I'm being talked about right now.

Tonya Mosley (2:42)

But you know, I mean, there's so much to talk about. The thing about it is, when Marvel approached you, you said, I only have one Marvel dollar to spend.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (2:51)

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Tonya Mosley (2:52)

Yeah. You asked yourself whether Wonder Man was the actual role that you were going to spend that dollar.

I'm really curious. I thought that was a really interesting way to talk about entering the Marvel Universe and being a part of something that's so big. How are you reflecting on it now that you have spent that dollar and you've gone through this journey on this show that is highly respected?

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (3:16)

Yeah. So far, a dollar well spent, for sure. Look at the experience that I had. I got to put it out. Now, when I said that, I was talking about fun and longevity. I was talking specifically against a one-off.

Tonya Mosley (3:31)

A role that is going to stand the test of time and not be a one-off.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (3:35)

At the same time, something that was worth my time and something that I enjoyed. That's what a dollar well spent would be. Now, when I flash to present day and I do reflect back, boy, of course, it was a dollar well spent.

I got to make a fantastic show and I got to play a fantastic character who many people related to.

Tonya Mosley (4:02)

Wonder Man is not a typical Marvel story. There's almost no action. It's a comedy.

It's a comedy about auditioning, shot like an indie film. Yeah. The hero's battles are with casting directors and in his own head. Your character, Simon Williams, he's a working actor in Los Angeles. Years in without a break, when a reclusive director announces a remake of this cheesy 80 superhero. Have you ever wanted a role as bad as Simon wanted Wonder Man?