In November 2018, Netflix pulled the plug on one of its hit television shows, “Daredevil” (2015-18). Viewers who loved the series were left devastated and doubted if they would see Charlie Cox’s portrayal of the iconic character on screen ever again.
However, after years of anticipation, fans of the original show can now finally witness a proper continuation of the man without fear in the form of “Daredevil: Born Again” (2025). Although there are only two episodes released, the series so far seems promising.
Episode One: “Heaven’s Half Hour”
Audiences jump back into the world of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), but he’s in a far different state compared to what fans previously saw in the finale of “Daredevil” third season. To quote Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), he’s “moved up in the world.”
He’s no longer affiliated with the law firm Nelson, Murdock & Page and is instead working alongside fellow attorney Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James) in profiling bigger clients. Murdock also is no longer the defender of New York City. After a brutal encounter with Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter/Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) at Josie’s Bar, he has since given up the mantle of being Daredevil.
Canonically, this is the same Murdock from the Netflix series but in a time where he is more exposed. The same can be said for Fisk, who is now running for mayor of New York. On the surface, all things look to be going his way except for his strained marriage with Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer).
There is a great scene featuring both Murdock and Fisk at a diner giving each other a fair warning if they ever resort to their old ways. Not only is this scene well-acted and contains well-written dialogue, but it cements Cox and D’Onofrio as two of the best modern castings for comic book characters.
Like Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man or Hugh Jackman as the Wolverine, Cox and D’Onofrio’s ability to slip back into these roles after many years of not playing them is admirable. The subtle tension between Murdock and Fisk in this scene is perfect. If one thing goes wrong, these two are battling it out.
All in all, this first episode is a perfect reintroduction into both Murdock’s and Fisk’s lives and where they are currently in terms of their status in New York City.
Episode Two: “Optics”
By the second episode, Murdock and Fisk have already broken their promise. Murdock and McDuffie decide to represent Hector Ayala (Kamar de los Reyes), who is accused of assaulting and killing an undercover cop. With the help of Cherry (Clark Johnson), Murdock’s paid investigator, he discovers Ayala is White Tiger, a vigilante who became prominent after Daredevil’s disappearance.
Believing he is innocent, Murdock still takes Ayala’s case and starts to track down using his radar sense the corrupt cop who brought Ayala in. Fisk is introduced to young journalist BB Urich (Genneya Walton), the niece to the late Ben Urich (Vondie Curtis-Hall), by his protégé Daniel Blade (Michael Gandfolfini).
She informs him that New York Police Department Commissioner Gallo (Michael Gaston) is aware of Fisk’s criminal past and plans to resign after Fisk becomes mayor. As a result, Fisk threatens Gallo’s family, forcing him to stay in office.
The two episodes show New York City and those who live in it well. Compared to the original show, this version of New York feels lived in and those who inhabit it are well-represented too. Occasionally, the show features man-on-the-street interviews conducted by BB asking random New York citizens questions regarding Fisk as mayor and Daredevil’s absence.
It gives the same vibe when Sam Raimi included the reactions of New Yorkers in all three of Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man films (2002-07). New York City as a setting has been used in a lot of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, but not to the great extent as it is used here.
