The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen is Born Again

When Daredevil (2015-2018) was canceled following its greatest season (Season Three) due to corporate disputes and the rise of Disney+, fans around the world were devastated. The show was dark, compelling, and featured beautifully-choreographed action sequences. After the cancellation, many feared that they would never see the show’s iconic characters again or receive closure on the final season’s cliffhangers. However, at San Diego Comic Con, fans’ prayers were finally answered: Matthew Murdock (Charlie Cox), a.k.a. Daredevil, would be returning in a new Disney+ show—a continuation of the original. Unfortunately, further announcements, including the absence of most of the original supporting cast, a lighter tone, and minimal Daredevil screen time, left fans deeply disappointed. Thankfully, Marvel brought in a new creative team that managed to turn the show into a surprisingly solid final product. While certainly weaker than any of the original seasons, largely due to a less compelling supporting cast, Daredevil: Born Again (2025) delivered excellent action, great legal cases, and two final episodes that show promise for Season Two. 

The show, set seven years after the original ended, opens with Murdock in a new era of his life. He is no longer a vigilante, estranged from his former friends, and runs a successful law firm outside of Hell’s Kitchen. This lifestyle seems to suit him, as he uses his legal skills to pursue justice within the system. However, this changes when Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), a corrupt member of New York’s elite arrested at the end of Daredevil, runs for and is appointed mayor. He quickly outlaws vigilantes and installs a corrupt police force, an issue that directly conflicts with a case Murdock takes on. His client, Hector Ayala (Kamar de los Reyes), also known as White Tiger, is accused of murdering a police officer—an act of self-defense the jury is unaware of. Throughout the season, Murdock repeatedly tries to work within the law, but with Fisk tightening control over New York, he realizes Daredevil must return. This turning point coincides with the arrival of Muse, a psychotic serial killer who quickly puts the people closest to Murdock in harm’s way. However, by the end of the season, both Murdock and Fisk have become their old selves again, recognizing that they can't hide who they are—Murdock as the flawed hero determined to save the city, and Fisk as the power-hungry manipulator who is simultaneously calculating and immature. 

Though the show succeeds in reviving Murdock and Fisk’s dynamic, the new supporting cast is undeniably lacking in comparison to Daredevil’s original ensemble. By nearly eliminating many key characters of the original show, such as Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), Daredevil: Born Again lost much emotional depth. Instead of honing in on established relationships, the season isolates Murdock, putting him alongside only a lackluster group of characters with little relevance. A few of these newcomers show some promise, such as Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva), Murdock’s new love interest, and Daniel Blake (Michael Gandolfini), a young, enthusiastic supporter of Fisk—but neither receive enough narrative weight to compel the audience with their storylines. Additionally, several other supporting characters fall flat, such as Cherry (Clark Johnson), who is introduced as a loyal ally to Murdock but becomes increasingly annoying as the season progresses, largely due to his disapproval of Daredevil. Fortunately, the new creative team does bring back some original cast members in a limited capacity. Though their roles are small, the reappearances of Karen and Frank help further the story and bridge the gap with the original show more cleanly. Additionally, though initially dulled by the show’s lighter tone, Murdock and Fisk quickly reclaim their former intensity, slipping back into their iconic roles and driving the season forward. Despite having a few minor highlights, such as Daniel and Heather, the new supporting cast doesn’t come close to the original, and serves as a constant reminder of the pitfalls the original creative team created. 

Thankfully, not all of what made the original Daredevil great was lost with this show. One area where Born Again still delivers is in its action—particularly the brutal, carefully-choreographed fight scenes that defined the original. By avoiding cuts and following the action in real time, the series highlights its intense choreography, making the physical toll on Daredevil feel visceral. While Daredevil: Born Again doesn’t match the same level of craft as its predecessor, it has several noteworthy fights. The opening scene, for example, features a one-take battle between Daredevil and Benjamin Poindexter (Wilson Bethel). However, the fight scenes in Born Again lack the fluidity and precision that made the original Daredevil stand out. In the original series, the choreography was known for its sharp, precise movements and long, continuous takes, especially in its iconic hallway sequences. Despite this, the show compensates by increasing the brutality of each fight. Bones snap, blood flies, and every punch thrown lands with weight—an intensity rarely felt in the MCU’s CGI-heavy action sequences. 

While Daredevil: Born Again isn’t perfect, or even on par with the original series, much can be forgiven due to the developmental issues behind the scenes. The supporting cast may be lacking, but the series succeeds in other key areas, especially in its action and tone. Moreover, the episodes created by the new team are easily the best of the season, featuring well-written dialogue, intense sequences, and a much darker atmosphere. With this new direction and the reintroduction of many original cast members, the next season shows promise to solidify Daredevil: Born Again as the greatest MCU television show.