Many believed the Marvel Cinematic Universe reached its highest point with Avengers: Endgame, but excitement is now building for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. It’s easy to forget, though, that even before Thanos, Marvel’s TV shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage (and to a lesser extent, Iron Fist) were incredibly popular and well-received in the mid-to-late 2010s.
It’s hard to argue that Daredevil’s success in 2015 paved the way for more Marvel and Netflix collaborations. Just seven months later, Jessica Jones premiered on Netflix, proving to be another huge hit that wasn’t connected to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Just under a year later, Luke Cage made a splash, followed by Iron Fist in March 2017. This paved the way for Marvel’s The Defenders in August 2017 – and let’s not forget The Punisher with Jon Bernthal in November 2017! Now, almost ten years on, viewers are rediscovering these shows, and they’ve climbed to become one of the most popular titles on Apple TV, currently ranking at No. 9.
Despite the disappointment many still feel about Iron Fist, seeing Daredevil (Charlie Cox) join forces with Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) and Luke Cage (Mike Colter) was a definite highlight. Their on-screen chemistry led to impressive fight sequences and compelling stories – like the complicated relationship between Jessica and Luke – that focused on gritty, realistic action without relying heavily on special effects. It was a raw and impactful portrayal of street-level heroism.
The popularity of Marvel’s individual Netflix series, culminating in the team-up show Marvel’s The Defenders, created huge excitement for a Daredevil revival. That revival finally arrived with Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ in 2025, a full decade after the original series revolutionized the genre, and now fans are wondering if we might see The Defenders return for another adventure.
The Defenders Making Their Way to Daredevil: Born Again?
It’s clear that Daredevil: Born Again is a big success for Disney+. They’re already planning a second season, expected in March 2026, which gives them time to introduce the other three members of the team. In fact, one already has – Jessica Jones, played by Krysten Ritter, will return for the second season, mirroring the original order they appeared in on Netflix ten years ago.
Daredevil and Jessica Jones paved the way, followed by Luke Cage. While Colter has expressed some disappointment about not being contacted by Marvel or Disney to bring back his role as Harlem’s protector, it doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be asked to return. Given that Marvel has suggested another season of Jessica Jones might be in the works, it seems unlikely they would permanently exclude her incredibly durable boyfriend.
It’s unclear how Marvel will handle the Iron Fist character going forward, with many suggesting they find a new actor for the role. However, evidence suggests the Defenders team – Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist – will eventually come together within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the meantime, many Marvel fans are rewatching the original Marvel’s The Defenders series, remembering that sometimes a simple, street-level fight against crime is all a superhero needs to do.
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2026-01-07 18:07