‘Exclusive First Look: “Born Again” Teases Explosive Conflict’

Key Takeaways

• Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones is set to return in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, with a dynamic similar to Jon Bernthal’s Punisher in season 1.
• The season will explore the war for the soul of New York City, with Matt Murdock assembling a team to overthrow Mayor Wilson Fisk’s tyrannical regime.
• New characters, including Matthew Lillard’s Mr. Charles and Lili Taylor’s Governor Marge McCaffrey, will be introduced, adding to the complexity of the story.
• The season will delve into dark themes, with a focus on the struggle for power and the consequences of rebellion.
• Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page will take on a more prominent role, showcasing a new side of her character.
• The Punisher TV special will connect to the events of Daredevil: Born Again season 2, with Frank Castle’s story continuing in a separate Disney+ event.

Introduction to the New Season
The highly anticipated second season of Daredevil: Born Again is set to premiere on Disney+ in March, and Entertainment Weekly has given fans a sneak peek at what’s in store. The new season will see the return of Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, who will join forces with Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock to take down the tyrannical regime of Mayor Wilson Fisk. The dynamic between the two characters was first introduced in the 2017 miniseries event The Defenders, and Cox has expressed his excitement to revisit their relationship. "Just by the nature of who Jessica is and who Matt is, they both give as much as they get," he says. "I’m not sure we were aware of it when we were shooting it. So we’ve been really waiting for this opportunity for so long now to put these two on screen together and have more fun with them."

The War for New York City
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again saw Mayor Wilson Fisk rise to power, outlawing vigilantism and painting Matt Murdock as America’s Most Wanted. Now, Matt is in "Nick Fury mode," assembling a team capable of overthrowing Fisk’s regime. This team will include Jessica Jones, who will bring her unique skills and perspective to the fight. Brad Winderbaum, the head of Marvel Television, confirms that Ritter’s role will be comparable to Jon Bernthal’s Punisher in season 1, with a focus on the dynamic between the two characters. "We both talked about it being important to play some of the hits, as it were, make sure that we have that same dynamic," Cox says. "Tongue in cheek, take the piss out of each other, but also get down to business and make sure that we’re serving the story appropriately."

New Characters and Storylines
The new season will also introduce several new characters, including Matthew Lillard’s Mr. Charles and Lili Taylor’s Governor Marge McCaffrey. Lillard’s character is described as a "delicious" part, while Taylor’s Governor McCaffrey will play a key role in the story. The season will also see the return of Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page, who will take on a more prominent role. "Her role is the best it’s ever been," Cox says. "She is a badass in season 2. We get to see a side of Karen Page which I think Charlie and also Matt Murdock have always known is beneath that surface." The Punisher TV special, currently in development with Jon Bernthal and director Reinaldo Marcus Green, will also connect to the events of Daredevil: Born Again season 2, with Frank Castle’s story continuing in a separate Disney+ event.

Themes and Tone
The second season of Daredevil: Born Again will delve into dark themes, with a focus on the struggle for power and the consequences of rebellion. Winderbaum teases "a lot of heavy themes" and "a lot of dark moments and tragic events" are on the way. The season will also explore the idea of Daredevil as a revolutionary, with Matt Murdock taking on the role of a rebel leader. "Daredevil is a revolutionary in this season," Winderbaum says. "He’s a rebel and it’s fun to see him go up against the power of the city." The show’s use of the French Revolution as a reference point during filming adds to the sense of scope and scale, with the rebellion taking longer than expected to unfold. "It feels like one misstep and loved ones disappear," Cox describes. "You are taken, there’s no way out. It’s a very claustrophobic world."

Conclusion and Future Developments
The second season of Daredevil: Born Again promises to be an exciting and action-packed ride, with a focus on the war for the soul of New York City. With the return of Jessica Jones and the introduction of new characters, the season is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of the Marvel universe. Winderbaum confirms that seasons 1 and 2 are two sides of the same coin flip, with the team already developing season 3. "It all feels like one story," he says. "It is one giant, amazing tapestry that Dario is weaving together here in this New York landscape." With the Punisher TV special and other Disney+ events on the horizon, the future of the Marvel universe is looking bright. Daredevil: Born Again returns in March on Disney+, and fans won’t want to miss it.