While there is good news that Jon Bernthal is back as The Punisher, with that comes the bad news that both Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson won’t be back as their respective characters in the MCU’s Daredevil: Born Again series which also stars Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio from the Marvel Netflix series.
In THR‘s report how Jon Bernthal is returning as Frank Castle, the site reports that other actors from the Netflix Daredevil series are not expected to return which includes Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, and Elden Henson as Matt Murdock’s friend and law partner, Foggy Nelson. It’s said the characters are not on the roll call for the Daredevil: Born Again series.
Why Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson are not returning while Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthal, and Vincent D’Onofrio will be back is unknown but what could be happening is either that Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios are going to recast or simply that the characters will not be a part of the story in the Disney Plus series.
Deborah Ann Woll appeared in 39 episodes of the Netflix Daredevil series from 2015 to 2017 with Charlie Cox, five episodes of The Punisher series with Jon Bernthal, and was featured in the Netflix Defenders crossover.
Likewise, Elden Henson appeared as Foggy Nelson in 38 episodes of Daredevil, in one episode of Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, and in five episodes of The Defenders.
What do the fans think of the news?
Fans aren’t happy the actors are not appearing in Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again series coming to Disney Plus which is 18 episodes long, as obviously Feige will need a lot of content to fill, so why aren’t Karen Page and Foggy Nelson appearing in the series? Again, unless they are getting recast, which will certainly upset the fans (or the story doesn’t take play in NYC, though it is currently filming there).
Mark Millar, the creator behind Marvel Comics’ Civil War, Kick-Ass, and more, isn’t happy with the news.
“If this is true it’s an insane move by Disney. These guys were beautifully cast and their chemistry with Charlie was fantastic. Anyone else will feel like a second choice,” tweeted Millar.
If this is true it's an insane move by Disney. These guys were beautifully cast and their chemistry with Charlie was fantastic. Anyone else will feel like a second choice. https://t.co/9lol3ILG1J
— Millarworld (@mrmarkmillar) March 8, 2023
Fans responded with similar comments in the thread.
Couldn't agree more. I'm a big fan of the Netflix Marvel shows, but have zero faith in Disney to give us something remotely on that same level. This announcement goes a long step to proving my trepidation right.
— Geeky_Viking (@geeky_viking) March 8, 2023
That is very disappointing. Great actors doing a great job. It makes me doubt the new series.
— dean (@neuroheaven) March 8, 2023
Perfectly cast. They were both incredible in their roles. I was really looking forward to everybody coming back.
— Joshua Elliot Brua (@NappyBrua) March 8, 2023
It'd be even worse if they just don't include them as characters. Daredevil without a Foggy Nelson could be a rough watch
— Robbie G (@dirty_raccoon) March 8, 2023
Daredevil was one of my favourite shows, this is rubbish news 🙁
— Rogue Monkey Digital Media (@roguemonkeydm) March 8, 2023
It's an awful move. Truth be told, I hope Disney just casts literally the same actors from the shows.
— Lorenz De Guzman (@lorenzdeguzman9) March 8, 2023
I feel dirty suggesting this, and I really shouldn't, but recent Disney output suggests that the leading cast must be diverse.
— NL Callaghan (@AnoNymou5_Acct) March 8, 2023