How Much "MCU Homework" Do You Have To Do Before Daredevil: Born Again?
Daredevil: Born Again is the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first TV series of 2025, and the project continues some threads from previous releases. The idea of having to do homework to enjoy the MCU's new releases has become one of the most criticized aspects of the franchise. However, with a shared universe that has been going strong for 17 years and counting, that has come to be expected. Still, with an elevated number of projects in recent years now that Marvel Studios has added live-action series, Special Presentations, and animation to the MCU, the criticism has grown.
While certain projects do not have to connect with multiple MCU shows, one such as Daredevil: Born Again simply cannot exist without doing so. The reason for that is quite simple. While Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock is back for a fresh tale in the MCU, Daredevil: Born Again's cast brings back many characters from Netflix's Daredevil series. That show ran for three seasons, adding baggage to the MCU's first 2025 TV series. Cox's work as Daredevil over the past years included appearances in multiple MCU projects, which also added to the needed homework to watch Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil: Born Again Is A Direct Follow-Up To Daredevil Season 3
Fans Can Thank The Show's Creative Overhaul
As has been revealed by multiple Marvel Studios executives, as well as series stars Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio, Daredevil: Born Again is very much a continuation of the Netflix Daredevil series. The main difference is that it takes place years after Daredevil season 3 ended, but all the key relationships from the original show are once again in play for the MCU series. That said, that was not always the plan. Daredevil: Born Again went through a major creative overhaul, with The Punisher writer Dario Scardapane replacing original showrunners Chris Ord and Matt Corman.
That led to Daredevil: Born Again being reworked into essentially Daredevil season 4. As has been shown in the trailers for the Marvel series, the new show is very much in line with the original in terms of dark themes, bloody violence, and character dynamics. Foggy Nelson and Karen Page were originally not coming back for Daredevil: Born Again. Now, the duo plays an important role in the series. Speaking to Empire Magazine, Scardapane commented on their return, saying, "You can’t do this show without Karen and Foggy. " The new series continues key Daredevil season 3 storylines.
The Key Storylines To Know Before Daredevil: Born Again
The MCU Series Brings Back Important Elements
Since Daredevil: Born Again is so closely connected to Netflix's Daredevil, there are some crucial storylines to understanding the show. Watching Daredevil season 3 is recommended, as that is where a lot of the connections come from. In its season 3 finale, Netflix's Daredevil saw Wilson Fisk and Matt Murdock come to a standstill. Daredevil did not kill Kingpin, but he made him agree not to hurt Karen and Foggy in exchange for Matt not revealing that Vanessa, Fisk's wife, was involved in Agent Nadeem's death. Daredevil: Born Again's trailers show at least one conversation between Fisk and Matt.
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That key relationship from the Netflix series is back for the show, and understanding how they parted ways is crucial to following them as they meet again and how the characters have changed. As for Foggy and Karen, they started their dream with Matt, writing on a napkin, "Nelson, Murdock, & Page," at the end of season 3. With Daredevil: Born Again picking back up with the trio years later, the show has to delve into what came of that dream. Jon Bernthal's Punisher is a character whose return adds to the MCU homework for Daredevil: Born Again.
Daredevil's MCU Projects | Year |
|---|---|
Daredevil | 2015-2018 |
The Defenders | 2017 |
Spider-Man: No Way Home | 2021 |
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law | 2022 |
Echo | 2024 |
Daredevil: Born Again | 2025 |
Watching both seasons of Bernthal's The Punisher series is not necessary, but the character's arc in Daredevil season 2 is. It marked the debut of this iteration of the Marvel anti-hero, setting up his backstory, motivations, and key relationships with Matt Murdock and Karen Page. Matt and Frank going from enemies to friends is important for the new show. Bullseye also returns in Daredevil: Born Again. How Wilson Bethel's Benjamin Poindexter went from an FBI agent to Fisk's assassin, to realizing he had been played by Kingpin is crucial context to his return. The villain holds a few grudges.
How Much Of The Wider MCU Do You Need To Be Aware Of?
Charlie Cox's Daredevil Has Been Popping Around The Franchise
While Netflix's Daredevil offers the biggest ties to Daredevil: Born Again, Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock has been back since 2021. Over the past four years, the character has made appearances in both MCU movies and TV shows, begging the question of what other projects are necessary homework to understanding the new Marvel series. Cox's first proper MCU appearance came when Matt Murdock was Peter Parker's lawyer in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Since Tom Holland's Spider-Man cannot appear in Daredevil: Born Againdue to the character's rights, the scene is not really necessary viewing, but it is a really good one.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law features the most Charlie Cox's Daredevil has appeared outside of Netflix's The Defenders Saga. However, watching the show is not necessary for Daredevil: Born Again. Showrunner Dario Scardapane has heavily leaned towards She-Hulk's events not being referenced in the series, and since that version of Daredevil was lighter than the darker tone of Daredevil: Born Again, it feels superfluous. Disney+'s Echo and Hawkeye's finale are really the only necessary MCU projects to watch before Daredevil: Born Again as they set up Kingpin's journey, what he has been up to, and more for the new Marvel series.
Daredevil: Born Again
- Release Date
- March 4, 2025
- Network
- Disney+
- Showrunner
- Chris Ord
- Directors
- Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, David Boyd, Jeffrey Nachmanoff
- Writers
- Jesse Wigutow, Jill Blankenship, Thomas Wong, David Feige, Grainne Godfree
Cast
Matt Murdock / Daredevil
Wilson Fisk
- Franchise(s)
- Daredevil, Marvel Cinematic Universe
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