Daredevil: Born Again’s Ayelet Zurer Teases Vanessa’s Future After Shocking Twist [Exclusive]

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Please be aware: This interview reveals major plot points from Season 2, Episode 5 of Daredevil: Born Again. The big question after last night’s episode, “The Grand Design,” was whether Vanessa Fisk (played by Ayelet Zurer) was still alive. Last week, Wilson Fisk attempted to draw Bullseye into a confrontation. He sent Vanessa away to protect her, but she unexpectedly returned, armed with a gun. The situation reached a climax in a boxing ring, where Bullseye threw a glass sculpture of the city at Wilson. Wilson blocked the attack with his belt, but a shard of glass struck Vanessa in the head, causing her to fall.

The latest episode of “The Grand Design” left viewers on edge as Vanessa’s life hung in the balance. Following surgery that initially showed promise, the episode flashed back to how Vanessa and Wilson first met. However, her condition quickly deteriorated, and she tragically passed away, leaving Wilson devastated and reeling from grief. After the shocking turn of events, Ayelet spoke with ComicBook about whether Vanessa might return to the show.

In the comics, Vanessa also dies, but she doesn’t stay gone. She appears as a ghost and is eventually resurrected. Fisk becomes fixated on bringing her back. Are you hoping to see Vanessa return in some capacity?

I really hope we get to continue. I adore the character and enjoy working with everyone involved, especially Vincent. I feel like there’s a lot more story to tell, and if the creators decide it’s worthwhile, I’m confident they’ll make something amazing – and I’d absolutely be a part of it.

Don’t forget. Foggy was back in last night’s episode and he’s dead dead.

AZ: Speaking of…

There’s always a way to bring Vanessa back in some shape or form.

We did talk about that, but I’m not sure how it will all come together. The story needs to flow well as a complete piece.

Here’s the rest of our conversation with Ayelet Zurer, where we talked about Vanessa’s resilience, what happens to her character, and what Wilson will do next.

Vanessa could have simply lived her life defined by her relationship with Wilson Fisk. But what allowed her to become powerful and independent in her own right?

I don’t think she’s overshadowed by him at all; they’re actually very well-matched. They complement each other – he needs her, and she needs him. He’s deeply unfulfilled, almost haunted by a past emptiness, while she accepts him completely. That’s the core of their connection. However, their ambitions differ greatly. He’s constantly striving for more power and control, but Vanessa is content with what she has. That’s the key difference, despite their similarities. She’s drawn to his strength, but she’s also smart enough to manage it, both to protect herself and to protect him. While he’s a brilliant strategist, she’s equally skilled at influencing others, though her goals aren’t the same as his.

The governor made a clever distinction, saying she wouldn’t support Wilson Fisk as a public figure, but she did support Wilson and Vanessa Fisk as individuals.

That’s right. She understands Vanessa can somewhat contain his power, but she doesn’t know Vanessa has already discovered she can’t fully control him as she initially believed. When Vanessa suggests they escape to an island, he rejects the idea with his comment about not liking sand. This isn’t about the sand, though – he’s telling her that her offer isn’t enough and he’s determined to pursue his own path. It’s in that moment she realizes she can’t satisfy him, and it’s devastating for her.

How and when did you find out that Vanessa was going to fall victim to Bullseye?

So, the creators reached out to me directly – you know, the calls from the writer and producer explaining their decision. They really wanted to make it clear this wasn’t about me taking it personally. They needed Vanessa’s death to be the catalyst for a huge, emotional breakdown for Fisk, a real turning point. They needed to go big. Vince Gilligan tried to find another way, but ultimately, we stuck with the plan. I actually appreciated how they handled it, giving Vanessa a clear purpose and a journey leading up to it. And she didn’t go down without a fight! Showing up at the boxing match armed, she was actively trying to make a stand. It’s strange to think about, but on some level, I believe she was even trying to protect Fisk, almost willing to sacrifice herself.

It really seemed like Vanessa was going to recover, which made the ending even more shocking. Were you surprised by that twist? Do you think the sudden decline made the moment more emotionally impactful?

It was a powerful moment. Audiences are familiar with stories, but they were surprisingly invested in these characters, even though they were the villains. People genuinely liked them – embraced who they were – and the couple really brought the show to life. Viewers were hoping for a specific outcome, likely influenced by the comics where the character survives a similar situation. The writers skillfully played on that hope, initially suggesting recovery for Vanessa, but ultimately dashed it. That’s a particularly cruel tactic – offering hope only to take it away. Without initial hope, the impact is lessened, but when hope is given and then destroyed, the feeling of loss is much more intense.

Wilson Fisk is clearly heartbroken and at his lowest point. It’s hard to imagine how this loss will affect his actions and decisions in the future.

He will not stop at any means. Like I said, this is a cataclysmic event. 

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2026-04-16 00:41