Marvel’s latest casting shuffle feels like déjà vu in the best possible way. Just when everyone thought the Netflix-verse was gathering dust somewhere in streaming purgatory, Disney+ pulls another ace from its sleeve — and this time, they’re bringing back the queen of cynicism herself.
Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones is making her way back to our screens in “Daredevil: Born Again” Season 2. The whiskey-drinking private eye won’t be alone, though. Detective Sergeant Brett Mahoney (Royce Johnson) is tagging along, adding another layer of gritty authenticity to Hell’s Kitchen’s increasingly complicated landscape.
“I’ve known for almost two years,” Ritter recently spilled at the Winter Television Critics Association press tour. “Keeping it a secret has been absolute torture.” No kidding — especially with the rabid Marvel fandom dissecting her every social media post since 2025 kicked off. Those eagle-eyed fans probably noticed her suspicious number of New York check-ins lately, despite her claims of being elsewhere.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Season 1 of “Born Again” left viewers hanging with Matt Murdock and Karen Page plotting against Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk — who, by the way, has somehow managed to make his white suits even more menacing this time around. It’s like watching a chess match where half the pieces are wearing masks and leather jackets.
Speaking of leather… Jon Bernthal’s Punisher has already left his mark on the series. His brief but explosive appearances in Episodes 4 and 7 sent Disney+ engagement numbers through the roof, though rumor has it some scenes required creative editing to keep that coveted TV-14 rating. (The upcoming Punisher special might push those boundaries even further, but that’s tea for another time.)
What’s fascinating about this whole renaissance is how seamlessly these grittier characters are being woven into Disney+’s typically squeaky-clean universe. Remember when everyone thought Mickey Mouse would sand down all the rough edges? Well, looks like somebody in the House of Mouse finally realized that sometimes the best stories come with a few scratches and scuff marks.
The fans deserve credit for this one. As Ritter pointed out during last month’s surprise appearance at New York Comic Con, “This is all due to fan demand.” When your Twitter mentions are flooded with Jessica Jones GIFs for three years straight, even the most stubborn executives start paying attention.
While Mike Colter and Finn Jones remain conspicuously quiet about potential Luke Cage and Iron Fist returns — though Jones has been dropping hints like breadcrumbs across various podcasts — it’s clear that Marvel’s street-level heroes are having their moment. And honestly? The timing couldn’t be better. In an era of CGI-heavy spectacles, there’s something refreshingly raw about watching heroes who solve problems with old-fashioned detective work and the occasional roundhouse kick.
With production wrapped and Season 2 promising to be grittier than a dive bar at last call, one thing’s certain: Marvel’s finally embracing its darker side. And darling, it looks absolutely stunning in black.
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