7 Most Important Marvel TV Characters Who Still Haven’t Appeared in the MCU

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When Marvel moved its TV shows from networks like Netflix to Disney+, it significantly changed the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Many beloved characters from shows like The Defenders and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which had previously expanded the MCU through television, effectively disappeared from the main storyline. The movies hadn’t often connected to these shows, and with the tighter integration of the Disney+ series, these earlier stories were largely left behind, leaving fans hoping for the return of these characters and storylines.

Good news for fans: characters from older Marvel TV shows are gradually returning to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). We saw this happen with Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Wilson Fisk in Hawkeye, suggesting the MCU wasn’t finished with those shows’ characters. Now, the Daredevil: Born Again series has brought back even more familiar faces, including Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, The Punisher, Karen Page, and Bullseye. Despite these returns, there are still several key characters yet to reappear.

7) Hellcat

Rachael Taylor’s character, Trish Walker, evolves into the superhero Hellcat throughout the three seasons of Jessica Jones. By the end of the show, she’s gained superpowers and becomes an opponent to Jessica, ultimately being imprisoned in the Raft – a significant location within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This opens the door for Hellcat to reappear as a villain in future MCU projects. With Jessica Jones returning for Born Again season 2, it would be a great opportunity to also bring Trish Walker back into the story.

6) Cloak

Marvel Television brought two of Marvel’s more lighthearted heroes to the screen in 2018 with the series Cloak and Dagger. Aubrey Joseph starred as Tyrone Johnson, also known as Cloak, a hero who can move people using shadows and darkness. Cloak last appeared in a team-up with the Runaways, where he and Dagger were shown traveling together as a crime-fighting pair.

5) Dagger

I really hope if Cloak ever shows up again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they bring Dagger with him! Olivia Holt played Tandy Bowen, and she’s amazing – she can make these incredible light daggers as weapons. I loved seeing them team up with the Runaways after Cloak & Dagger finished its second season. I don’t think the show’s storyline will continue exactly as it was, but it would be fantastic to see Cloak and Dagger reintroduced as heroes working on a more local, street-level scale in a future Marvel project.

4) Claire Temple

Rosario Dawson played Claire Temple, a character who served as a connective tissue for the heroes of the Defenders universe, similar to Nick Fury. Often called the Night Nurse, she appeared in Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders, usually as a medic who treated injured heroes. Claire’s last appearance was in season 2 of Luke Cage, where her relationship with Luke ended, and she hasn’t been seen since. Given her significant role in the early seasons of the Defenders shows, fans believe she should return in season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again.

3) Ghost Rider

As a huge Marvel fan, I’m honestly surprised we haven’t seen Ghost Rider properly integrated into the main MCU yet. While Robbie Reyes did show up in season 4 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – and there were even plans for a spin-off on Hulu that sadly fell through – it doesn’t really count as a full MCU appearance. Last we saw, Robbie went through a portal to Hell, so he’s technically still out there! I’m really hoping that if Marvel ever decides to bring Ghost Rider into the fold, they don’t forget about Robbie Reyes and maybe even include him alongside whoever they cast as the Rider.

2) Quake

As a longtime viewer, I have to say Daisy Johnson, or Quake as most of us know her, was a standout character in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Chloe Bennet absolutely killed it in the role, and watching her evolve from Skye into the powerful Inhuman Quake was a real highlight of the series. Honestly, fans – myself included – are desperate to see her make the jump to the main MCU. I know the show’s timeline presents a few challenges for continuity, but trust me, it’s worth figuring out. Even if they need to tweak her backstory a little, bringing Quake back would be a fantastic move.

1) Iron Fist

As a big MCU fan, I’ve been thrilled to see Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Jessica Jones popping up again with Daredevil: Born Again. But it got me thinking about the original Defenders team… where’s Iron Fist? Look, Finn Jones’ portrayal of Danny Rand wasn’t exactly a fan favorite – it’s probably the weakest link in that whole Defenders corner of the universe. Still, he was a key piece of the puzzle! His whole connection to the Hand was central to the Defenders miniseries, and he is the main character in both seasons of Iron Fist. Don’t forget he also showed up in season 2 of Luke Cage, so leaving him out feels like a big omission.

As a huge Marvel fan, I’m really expecting to see Iron Fist pop up in the MCU soon, now that we’re getting the other Defenders back. There’s a lot of buzz that he might show up in the third season of Daredevil: Born Again, and honestly, after that Luke Cage tease at the end of season 2, it feels almost certain. I mean, Iron Fist is a classic character and he was part of the MCU already, so it’s been weird not seeing him since the Netflix shows ended. I’m hoping they bring him back soon!

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2026-05-24 17:16