Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Marvel Studios' latest series, Wonder Man, officially premiered in its entirety on Disney+ starting January 27, 2026.
The eight-episode series stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man, alongside Sir Ben Kingsley, who reprises his role as Trevor Slattery.
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A grand launch event was held at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on January 22, 2026, marking the milestone debut in Phase Six of the MCU.
Created by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest, with Guest serving as showrunner, the series offers a blend of action-adventure, comedy, and superhero genres.
Launched under the "Marvel Spotlight" banner, Wonder Man focuses on a more grounded, character-driven narrative, with more personal stakes than the broader MCU continuity.
Early reviews for the Wonder Man series have been generally positive, with many critics praising its character-centric approach and intelligent writing.
The series has captivated audiences with its story of Simon Williams, a struggling actor in Hollywood while hiding his superpowers, and its exploration of Trevor Slattery's life.
Wonder Man Series: A Breath of Fresh Air in the MCU
The Wonder Man series has received positive reviews from critics since its release, gets 90 Tomatometer Score and 86 Popcornmeter Score in Rotten Tomatoes.
Malcolm McMillan of Tom's Guide even called it a "must-watch" that made viewers question whether the series even needed the MCU.
Kimberly Potts of the Los Angeles Times noted that the series was more of a "love story" reminiscent of "Midnight Cowboy" than a Marvel movie, with a dash of superhero action.
The chemistry between Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley was often highlighted as one of the series' key strengths, creating a compelling dynamic between Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery.
Time Magazine even called it "the best Marvel Disney+ series" due to its focus on character arcs rather than flashy fight scenes.
However, some criticism has also been raised regarding the underdeveloped female characters and the half-hour episode length, which limits character development.
Wonder Man: Will There Be a Second Season?
As of January 2026, Marvel Studios has not officially renewed Wonder Man for a second season. The eight-episode first season premiered on Disney+ on January 27, 2026.
Co-creator and showrunner Andrew Guest stated that the decision for a second season will depend largely on "how the audience responds to the series" and viewership.
Guest added that their goal when creating the series was for it to feel "continuous," but also "satisfying in the end." He also stated, "If there's an audience and a fanbase that demands more of Simon and Trevor, I think we'll get more of both of them."
MCU precedent suggests the series was originally envisioned as a "limited series," making a second season highly unlikely.
Only a few Marvel series, such as Loki and Daredevil: Born Again, have continued beyond their first seasons.
If a second season is approved, the estimated release date is mid-2027 or 2028, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley likely returning.
Wonder Man: From Villain to Hero
The character of Wonder Man, or Simon Williams, first appeared in Marvel comics in October 1964 in The Avengers #9, created by Stan Lee, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby. Simon was the son of wealthy industrialist Sanford Williams, owner of Williams Innovations.
After his father's death, Simon took over the company, but faced financial ruin due to competition from Stark Industries and the criminal activities of his brother, Eric Williams.
In desperation, Simon was caught embezzling funds.
He was later introduced as a villain imbued with "ionic" energy by Baron Zemo to infiltrate and destroy the Avengers.
His ionic powers granted him superhuman strength and invulnerability, although they initially had life-threatening side effects.
Although initially a supervillain, Simon Williams was later reborn as a superhero and joined the Avengers team.