Man on Fire
Release poster
Genre Action thriller
Created by Kyle Killen
Based on Man on Fire
by A. J. Quinnell
Showrunner Kyle Killen
Written by Kyle Killen
Starring
  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
  • Billie Boullet
  • Scoot McNairy
  • Alice Braga
Music by Max Aruj
Country of origin United States
Original language English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 7
Production
Executive producers
  • Kyle Killen
  • Scott Pennington
  • Arnon Milchan
  • Yariv Milchan
  • Natalie Lehmann
  • Peter Chernin
  • Jenno Topping
  • Tracey Cook
  • Steven Caple Jr.
  • Michael Polaire
  • Edward L. McDonnell
  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
  • Stacy Perskie
Running time 42–59 minutes
Production companies
  • New Regency Productions
  • Chernin Entertainment
  • Chapter Eleven
  • Grey Skies Pictures
Original release
Network Netflix
Release April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)

Man on Fire is an American action thriller television series based on the 1980 novel by A. J. Quinnell. Kyle Killen is the showrunner and an executive producer of the series, which stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as an ex-mercenary out for revenge.

The series consists of seven episodes and was released on Netflix on April 30, 2026.[1]

Premise

As a Special Forces mercenary, John Creasy was someone you wanted on your team. However, after leaving the field, he finds making a fresh start difficult as he suffers PTSD from his dark past. His attempts at a fresh start are rudely interrupted by a need for revenge.

Cast

  • Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as John Creasy
  • Billie Boullet as Poe Rayburn
  • Scoot McNairy as Henry Tappan
  • Alice Braga as Valeria Melo
  • Bobby Cannavale as Paul Rayburn
  • Paul Ben-Victor as Moncrief
  • Thomás Aquino as Prado Soares

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date
1 "One" Steven Caple Jr. Kyle Killen April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)
2 "Two" Steven Caple Jr. Kyle Killen April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)
3 "Three" Vicente Amorim Kyle Killen April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)
4 "Four" Vicente Amorim Kyle Killen April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)
5 "Five" Clare Kilner Kyle Killen April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)
6 "Six" Clare Kilner Kyle Killen April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)
7 "Seven" Michael Cuesta Kyle Killen April 30, 2026 (2026-04-30)

Production

Development

Netflix ordered a new adaptation of Man on Fire by A. J. Quinnell in March 2023 from New Regency Productions and Chernin Entertainment. After having been previously adapted for film in 1987 and in 2004, this adaptation would be a television series that would also adapt the follow-up novel The Perfect Kill. Series creator Kyle Killen was hired as the showrunner and writer while also serving as an executive producer.[2][3]

Casting

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was cast as the lead in June 2024, and Steven Caple Jr. was hired to direct the first two episodes. Both of them joined the series as executive producers alongside Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, Natalie Lehmann, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, Scott Pennington, Ed McDonnell, Michael Polaire, and Stacy Perskie.[4] Additional cast members were announced through October 2024, including Billie Boullet,[5] Bobby Cannavale,[6] Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy, and Paul Ben-Victor.[7]

Filming

The series was shot in Mexico City where Abdul-Mateen was injured on set, forcing a brief production pause.[8] Max Aruj composed the score for the series.[9]

Release

Man on Fire was released on Netflix on April 30, 2026.[10]

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 55% approval rating based on 20 critic reviews.[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave a score of 61 out of 100 based on 18 critics, indicating "generally favorable".[12]

See also

  • Man on Fire, released in 1987.
  • Man on Fire, released in 2004, directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington.
  • Ek Ajnabee, a Hindi-language adaptation directed by Apoorva Lakhia and starring Amitabh Bachchan.[13]
  • Aanai, a Tamil-language adaptation, directed by Selvaa and featuring Arjun Sarja.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Video: "Man on Fire" - Official Teaser - Netflix | TheFutonCritic.com". The Futon Critic (Press release). March 10, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  2. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 28, 2023). "Man on Fire TV Adaptation Set at Netflix (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation.
  3. ^ "Man on Fire - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. June 3, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  4. ^ Cordero, Rosy (June 10, 2024). "Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to Star & EP Netflix's Man on Fire TV Adaptation; Steven Caple Jr. to Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  5. ^ Schneider, Michael (June 20, 2024). "A Small Light Star Billie Boullet Joins Cast of Netflix's Man on Fire". Variety. Penske Media Corporation.
  6. ^ Otterson, Joe (August 2, 2024). "Man on Fire Series at Netflix Casts Bobby Cannavale (Exclusive)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation.
  7. ^ Porter, Rick (October 8, 2024). "Netflix's Man on Fire Adds Trio to Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation.
  8. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 8, 2024). "Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Injured During Production Of Netflix Series Man On Fire". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  9. ^ "Max Aruj Scoring Netflix's 'Man on Fire' TV Series". Film Music Reporter. March 10, 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (March 10, 2026). "'Man On Fire' Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Bobby Cannavale Sets Netflix Release Date; Drops Teaser". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  11. ^ "Man on Fire: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  12. ^ "Man on Fire: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  13. ^ Vijayan, Vipin. "Amitabh rocks in Ek Ajnabee" Archived 2013-03-17 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  14. ^ "Let's take a look at Kollywood's several attempts in remaking foreign films". Deccan Chronicle. January 31, 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2023.