“Problematic” probably isn’t a word that should be used to describe a new, multi-million dollar superhero show. But, Marvel Studios exec Brad Winderbaum has done it anyway, describing Daredevil: Born Again‘s iteration of Hell’s Kitchen, New York, as a terrifying place where conniving people are all backstabbing each other for power (so, basically just like every real-life major city). Born Again gives Matt Murdock (played by Charlie Cox) a new home on Disney+, as the character returns for his second standalone series, following three seasons of the incredible Daredevil series and The Defenders — all of which originally streamed on Netflix.
Appearing on ABC’s On The Red Carpet Storytellers Spotlight Stage, Winderbaum described the version of Hell’s Kitchen found in the show, and likened it to the brutal world of HBO’s Game Of Thrones. “Imagine if New York City was as intricate and problematic and scary as the world of Game of Thrones,” he began. While a character like Daredevil might not feel out of place in Westeros, fighting for the honor of his liege lord or joining the Faceless Men, don’t expect Jon Snow to start running around Hell’s Kitchen, fighting Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio) for power before turning round and saying “I don’t want it. I never wanted it.”
Daredevil: Born Again pits the titular Devil of Hell’s Kitchen against Kingpin one more time. However, Wilson Fisk has risen in power and aspiration since the first show, and has set his sights on becoming the Mayor of New York City. Winderbaum said the tone and world of Born Again is similar to the original series, bouncing between bleak, violent nihilism, and hard-fought optimism. He continued:
“All these forces vying for control, and it can be really hopeful at times, and really violent at times, and dark-but also there’s light at the end of the tunnel if you could just fight for it.”
Daredevil: Born Again Will Be Darker Than the Original Series
As well as being one of Netflix’s most popular and successful original series upon its release, Daredevil marked a new step forward for Marvel Studios, as they ventured into R-rated territory. Daredevil was violent, dark, and explored incredibly mature themes. When Born Again was announced under the House of Mouse, fans were worried that the new show would come with a glossy Disney+ veneer, removing all the core elements that helped make the original so successful.
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Thankfully, Marvel Studios are leaning into the tone of the original show as Born Again will be just as dark, if not darker than the premiere Daredevil series. According to Vincent D’Onofrio, there are some scenes in Born Again that far exceed the violence and brutality of the original show, and he wondered how Disney let them keep it in the new series. The actor said, “There’s one thing in particular that my character does that I can’t believe made it into the cut.” Daredevil: Born Again premieres on 
Disney Plus in March 2025.
Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk try to put their rivalry and darker alter-egos aside to help the people of New York, only for their pasts to catch up to them.
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