Official Trailer
Rating: 8.2/10 | Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Crime | Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 17 | Status: Returning Series
Starring: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Wilson Bethel, Deborah Ann Woll, Margarita Levieva
Okay, so I just finished binging both seasons of Daredevil: Born Again and I need to talk about it because this show is genuinely great. Like, it’s the kind of thing that makes you remember why you loved the original Netflix series in the first place. Charlie Cox is back as Matt Murdock, Vincent D’Onofrio is back as Wilson Fisk, and somehow they made it all work. This isn’t just fan service. This is actually a solid continuation that respects what came before while doing its own thing.
Season 1
Season 1 opens with Matt having hung up the mask for a year. He’s trying to be normal, running his law firm, trying to help people the legal way. Meanwhile, Wilson Fisk has gone full politician and gotten himself elected mayor of New York City. The whole premise is brilliant because it flips the script. Instead of a masked vigilante vs. a crime boss, you’ve got a lawyer vs. a guy in a suit who’s technically the most powerful person in the city.
The first episode, “Heaven’s Half Hour,” sets everything up perfectly. There’s this quiet tension throughout where you’re just waiting for everything to explode. Matt thinks he’s done fighting. He’s wrong. By episode two, he’s got a new client who’s hiding something, and Fisk is starting to uncover pieces of his past.
The trial of Hector Ayala in episode three is where things start getting interesting. The show does a really good job of making you care about the legal cases while also knowing that there’s something bigger happening in the background. What works best about season one is that it takes its time. It doesn’t rush into action for action’s sake. The writing is tight, and the character work is solid.
My only complaint is that the middle episodes feel a little slow in places. There are moments where you’re waiting for something to pop off and it just doesn’t quite happen yet. But that’s more of a personal pacing thing than a flaw with the show. By the end of season one, everything comes together and you’re absolutely locked in for what comes next.
Season 2
Season 2 jumps straight into chaos. Daredevil is back, he’s causing problems for Mayor Fisk, and Fisk is not having it. He’s got the entire city looking for this vigilante. The scale feels bigger this time around. It’s not just Hell’s Kitchen anymore. It’s all of New York, and Fisk has the power of the mayor’s office backing him up.
“The Northern Star” introduces this mysterious player from Washington, and I’m not going to spoil anything but it adds a new layer to the conflict. It’s not just Matt vs. Fisk anymore. There are other forces at play. Season two only has eight episodes compared to season one’s nine, which I think works better for the pacing actually. The show knows what it wants to do and it doesn’t waste time getting there.
The character work in season two is where things really shine. Matt and Karen Page find new allies, which was something I was actually curious about. Their relationship needed some development, and the show handles it well. Without spoiling anything, there’s genuine growth there that feels earned.
Season two is tighter than season one overall. Less filler, more payoff. Some of the best scenes in the entire show happen here. Cox and D’Onofrio are firing on all cylinders. They play off each other perfectly. There’s this mutual respect mixed with hate that makes their scenes crackle.
The Cast
Charlie Cox carries this show. Like, genuinely, he is the heart of it all. He brings this quiet intensity to Matt that’s different from the Netflix series but just as good. He’s older now, more tired, but also more determined. When he’s in a scene, you can’t look away.
Vincent D’Onofrio as Fisk is terrifying in a totally different way than before. He’s not a street-level crime boss anymore. He’s a politician. He’s public-facing. He has to be careful. But you can see this barely contained rage bubbling under the surface. It’s a smarter version of Fisk and D’Onofrio plays it perfectly.
Wilson Bethel as Bullseye is solid, though he’s used more sparingly than you might expect. Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page gets more to do this time around, which is great because season one didn’t give her much. She’s a real player in season two. Margarita Levieva shows up and brings something interesting to the table too. The supporting cast really rises to the occasion.
The Bottom Line
Is Born Again worth watching? Absolutely. If you loved the original Daredevil series, you’ll appreciate this. If you’re new to it, you can jump in here and you’ll be fine, though you might want to catch up on the Netflix series first for some context. This show respects its audience. It doesn’t insult you with exposition dumps. It trusts you to keep up.
Season one is good and builds something great. Season two pays off on that investment and then some. Is it perfect? No. There are still moments that feel like they drag a little. Some supporting plots don’t land quite as hard as others. But overall, this is a show that knows what it’s doing and executes well on its vision.
If you’re on the fence about it, just go watch the first three episodes. By the end of the third one, you’ll know if this is for you. I’m betting it will be. Have you watched it yet, and if so, what did you think of how they brought back these characters?
Episode Guide
Season 1 (9 Episodes)
Episode 1: Heaven's Half Hour (7.9/10)
Matt Murdock gives up the mask. Wilson Fisk has his sights set to new heights.
Episode 2: Optics (8.3/10)
Matt Murdock gets a new client who's more than he claims to be. Fisk learns the power of optics.
Episode 3: The Hollow of His Hand (8.3/10)
The trial of Hector Ayala begins. Fisk's old business associates seek to claim his vacant mantle.
Episode 4: Sic Semper Systema (7.9/10)
Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk's darker halves fight to be unleashed.
Episode 5: With Interest (8/10)
A day in the life of Matt Murdock gets intense, forcing him to team up with a familiar face.
Episode 6: Excessive Force (8.4/10)
When a serial killer terrorizes the streets of New York, the city needs a savior.
Episode 7: Art for Art's Sake (8.2/10)
Daredevil is back and races Fisk to stop Muse from killing again.
Episode 8: Isle of Joy (8.6/10)
At his inaugural Black and White Ball, Mayor Fisk tightens his grip on New York City.
Episode 9: Straight to Hell (8.4/10)
Mayor Fisk becomes Mayor Kingpin, and Daredevil is unleashed as chaos takes over the city.
Season 2 (8 Episodes)
Episode 1: The Northern Star (8.3/10)
Daredevil is in hiding, but he isn't laying low. A shadowy player from Washington, D.C. emerges.
Episode 2: Shoot the Moon (7.9/10)
Fisk tries a new tactic to lure Daredevil out of hiding.
Episode 3: The Scales & the Sword (7.6/10)
Matt Murdock and Karen Page find new allies.
Episode 4: Gloves Off (8.3/10)
Bullseye adopts a new morning routine. Fisk takes the ring.
Episode 5: The Grand Design (8.4/10)
The Anti-Vigilante Task Force intensifies its search for Daredevil and Bullseye.
Episode 6: Requiem (8.6/10)
Fisk's operation is dealt an irrevocable blow. The resistance spills over into the streets.
Episode 7: The Hateful Darkness (8.3/10)
A trial close to Matt Murdock's heart grabs the city's attention.
Episode 8: The Southern Cross (7.8/10)
The city and its heroes enter an unprecedented era.
Where to Watch
Stream on: Disney Plus, Hulu, JioHotstar