Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is an acclaimed American actor known for his powerful performances in film and television. He earned a degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, before pursuing acting at the Yale School of Drama. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Cadillac in the Netflix series The Get Down. His breakout film role came as the villain Black Manta in the DC Extended Universe film Aquaman. In 2019, he received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Doctor Manhattan in the HBO limited series Watchmen, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award. He further solidified his status as a leading man by starring in the title role of the 2021 horror film Candyman. Abdul-Mateen also appeared in the blockbuster The Matrix Resurrections as a reimagined version of Morpheus. His stage work includes a Tony Award-winning performance in the Broadway revival of Topdog/Underdog. He is known for his intense screen presence and ability to portray complex, multifaceted characters. Throughout his career, he has balanced roles in major studio franchises with challenging independent projects. He continues to be one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood today.