What to know about ‘Wonder Man’ before watching Marvel’s new series

Marvel Studios has kicked off 2026 with a new MCU series that takes a different approach from its recent multiverse-heavy projects. Wonder Man, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, is now streaming on Disney+ and centres on a character many casual Marvel viewers may not immediately recognise.

Here is everything you need to know before watching.

When does ‘Wonder Man’ release and how to watch

Wonder Man is now streaming on Disney+.

The series consists of eight episodes, all of which were released at once, allowing viewers to binge the full season from launch day. The show is available globally on the platform.

What is ‘Wonder Man’ actually about?

Unlike recent Marvel projects built around universe-spanning threats, Wonder Man is a grounded, character-driven series with a satirical edge.

The story follows Simon Williams, an actor struggling to break into Hollywood who secretly possesses superhuman abilities. While trying to land a major role in a superhero film, Simon must balance his ambition, his powers and the realities of the entertainment industry.

Marvel has positioned the series under its Marvel Spotlight banner, which focuses on smaller stories that do not require deep knowledge of the wider MCU.

Who is Simon Williams?

Simon Williams, also known as Wonder Man, first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1964 and was originally introduced as a villain before becoming a superhero and eventual Avenger.

In the comics, Simon gains ionic powers that grant him super strength and near-invulnerability. Over time, the character develops a parallel career in acting, a trait that becomes central to his identity.

The Disney+ series adapts this idea loosely, focusing far more on Simon’s life as an actor than on his comic-book origins. Viewers do not need prior knowledge of the character to follow the story.

Why Trevor Slattery is back

Wonder Man also marks the return of Trevor Slattery, played by Ben Kingsley, a character first introduced in Iron Man 3.

Slattery was revealed in that film to be an actor hired to impersonate the Mandarin, a twist that later became a major talking point among Marvel fans. The character returned years later in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, where he was reintroduced as a comic relief figure.

In Wonder Man, Trevor is back in Hollywood and becomes involved in Simon Williams’ attempt to make his big break, reuniting Kingsley with director Destin Daniel Cretton.

Why Marvel is betting on this series

The series arrives after years of delays linked to industry strikes and Marvel’s broader creative reset. With superhero fatigue often cited by audiences, Wonder Man represents a shift towards lower-stakes, character-focused storytelling.

Rather than setting up major MCU events, the show focuses on performance, tone and character, positioning it as a lighter entry point into Marvel’s 2026 slate.