By Nicolas Ayala
In a world where superhero content floods every corner of streaming and theaters, few characters have undergone as quietly powerful a resurrection as Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock. Now back in full form with Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, Cox isn’t just reprising the role that defined a generation of Marvel fans—he’s elevating it. And based on what he’s revealed about the turbulent creation of season one and the creative freedom fueling season two, this might be the tightest, most emotionally intelligent iteration of Daredevil yet.
How Strikes and Studio Faith Sparked a Creative Rebirth for Daredevil
Behind the bloodied mask of Marvel’s Devil of Hell’s Kitchen lies a fascinating production story that reads like a comic book origin in itself. Originally, Born Again was headed in a different direction—one that Cox and fellow veteran Vincent D’Onofrio grew increasingly uneasy about. But the 2023 WGA and SAG strikes halted production mid-season, giving Marvel Studios an unexpected pause to reassess. The result? A daring creative pivot back to the darker, grittier tone fans had loved in the Netflix runs from 2015 to 2018.
“It was like a gift in the middle of chaos,” Cox told The Playlist. “We wrote a new pilot, a new finale. They Frankenstein-ed the thing together. And somehow, it worked.”
It had to work. And it did. The studio not only embraced the U-turn but trusted the creative team to deliver. Enter Dario Scardapane, the new showrunner who stepped in like a deus ex machina and steered the series back to its soul. The result was a season that cleverly blended old Daredevil mysticism with new Marvel serialized energy—a balancing act that fans and critics alike have praised.
Season Two of Born Again Is Turning Into Something Even More Special
Now, mid-shoot on Season 2, Cox is genuinely excited—not just about where the story is going, but how it’s being told. And he’s not holding back on his praise for the writing. “Some of the best writing we’ve ever had on this show,” he says. And coming from an actor who’s lived in this suit and persona for nearly a decade, that’s high praise.
What makes the new season stand out, according to Cox, is its ensemble approach. “Dario’s fleshed out characters that used to get left behind,” Cox explains. “It feels more like an ensemble than it’s ever felt. And that makes my journey more interesting.”
In a brilliant narrative twist, Matt Murdock is deliberately placed more in the periphery. Rather than saturate the screen with his inner monologues and legal grappling, the writers are treating Daredevil like a chess piece—sometimes visible, sometimes mysterious, always strategic. “The more you can remain a mystery as Daredevil, the more that infuses the show with mysticism and excitement,” Cox says. It’s a smart move that keeps the character fresh and unpredictable, even for viewers who’ve followed him since Jessica Jones first dropped in 2015.
The One Episode Cox Didn’t Love — But Fans Can’t Get Enough Of
Every hero has their kryptonite, and for Cox, it’s episode five of season one—“With Interest”. The bank heist episode, which remained unchanged from the original shoot, didn’t sit right with him. “I didn’t believe in a bank heist in 2025,” Cox confessed. “That feels like a 1970s game. Too much technology these days for that to work.” He also wasn’t sold on the sophistication of the theft device used in the plot.
He pushed back on it as much as he could. And yet, the irony is delicious: fans love the episode. It’s one of the highest-rated episodes of the series on Disney+. “You just don’t know,” Cox says with a smile. “It’s so subjective. Everyone’s taste is different.”
That disconnect between creator instinct and audience reception is a reminder that even the most carefully crafted stories can take on lives of their own. And in true Daredevil fashion, Cox seems perfectly okay with that gray area—it's where Matt Murdock has always thrived.
Working With Marvel Studios — And Having Real Creative Input
One of the most striking aspects of Cox’s comeback is his relationship with Marvel Studios—not just the fans. Having now worked directly with Marvel brass (including Kevin Feige) in the MCU through Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk, Cox says he’s been impressed by how much the studio values actor feedback.
“They really listen,” he says. “Feige’s asked me more than once, ‘What do you think? What’s working? What’s not?’ It’s rare. And it shows they want to be guided as well as guide.”
That collaborative trust is likely a big reason why the Born Again team was allowed to pivot mid-production. It’s also a key ingredient in why season two is shaping up to be not just a continuation, but a creative evolution.
Why Charlie Cox’s Daredevil May Finally Get the Awards Love He Deserves
Despite the acclaim, talk of Emmy nods for Cox and D’Onofrio remains hopeful rather than certain. But Cox isn’t just campaigning for recognition—he’s laying the groundwork for legacy. And with season two on the horizon, he’s confident that the work speaks for itself.
“We’re very lucky to have Dario,” he says. “I think this is going to be a good season. A really, really good season.”
For a character who’s spent years in the shadows, broken but unbowed, this may be the moment Matt Murdock—and Charlie Cox—finally step into the light. And based on Born Again season two, that light is bound to be blazing.