| Frank Castle | |
|---|---|
| Marvel Cinematic Universe character | |
 | |
| First appearance | |
| Based on | |
| Adapted by | Douglas Petrie Marco Ramirez |
| Portrayed by | Jon Bernthal |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Francis David Castle Sr. |
| Alias | Pete Castiglione |
| Nickname | Frank |
| Title | The Punisher |
| Occupation | Vigilante U.S. Marine Corps1st Lieutenant |
| Affiliation |
|
| Family | Lisa Castle (daughter) Frank Castle Jr. (son) |
| Spouse | Maria Castle |
| Significantothers | Beth Quinn |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
Francis David "Frank"Castle Sr. is afictionalcharacter portrayed byJon Bernthal in atelevision series set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)—based on theMarvel Comicscharacter of the same name—commonly known by his alias,the Punisher. Introduced in thesecond season of theMarvel Television /Netflix seriesDaredevil (2016), Bernthal signed a deal to return for aspin-off series,The Punisher (2017–2019); his portrayal of the character has been positively received.
Following the cancellation ofMarvel's Netflix series, includingDaredevil andThe Punisher, Bernthal reprised the role inMarvel Studios productions, including theDisney+ seriesDaredevil: Born Again (2025–present),[1] anuntitled Punisher television special as part of theMarvel Studios Special Presentations, and the filmSpider-Man: Brand New Day (both 2026).
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In October 2013, Marvel andDisney announced thatMarvel Television andABC Studios would provideNetflix with live-action series centered around theMarvel Comics charactersDaredevil,Jessica Jones,Iron Fist, andLuke Cage, leading up to a miniseries based on theDefenders.[2] In June 2015, Marvel announced thatJon Bernthal had been cast as Frank Castle / Punisher for thesecond season ofDaredevil.[3]Steven DeKnight and the first-season's writers had discussed introducing the character in apost-credits scene during the first-season finale, but were unable to due to the way that Netflix then-began auto-playing the next episode during the credits of the current one. The scene would have seenLeland Owlsley escape rather than be killed byWilson Fisk, only to be killed by Castle, whose face would not be revealed, but whose iconic skull insignia would have been featured. DeKnight felt that this "was the right decision. I think there's a better, more organic way to introduce him to the world."[4] Aspin-off series centered on Castle had entered development by January 2016.[5] The series,The Punisher, was officially ordered that April,[6] and thefirst season was released on Netflix in November 2017.[7]
DeKnight said this version of Punisher would be "completely the Marvel version", as previous portrayals did not appear under theMarvel Studios /Marvel Television banner. He also felt Bernthal's Punisher would not be as "graphically violent" as in the filmPunisher: War Zone (2008).[8]
Frank Castle, a formerForce Recon Marine, embarks on a violent campaign against organized crime inNew York City following the murder of his wife and children during a mass shooting. The massacre, later revealed to be the result of a failed sting operation involving the Irish Mob, the Cartel, and the Dogs of Hell, is covered up by law enforcement, leaving Castle as the sole survivor. Seeking retribution, he systematically eliminates members of these criminal organizations, becoming known as "the Punisher".
Castle's actions bring him into conflict withDaredevil, who opposes his lethal methods. Their ideological differences are highlighted when Castle captures Daredevil and attempts to convince him that criminals should be permanently eliminated rather than subjected to the legal system. Castle later survives an ambush by the Irish Mob and retaliates by massacring their leadership. Castle is eventually arrested and put on trial, withFoggy Nelson and Matt Murdock (secretly the civil identity of Daredevil) representing him, while establishing a close relationship with their secretaryKaren Page. His former commanding officer,Ray Schoonover, testifies on his behalf, but Castle deliberately disrupts his defense by openly admitting to his killings in court, resulting in a life sentence.
While imprisoned atRyker’s Island, Castle is manipulated byWilson Fisk into assassinating another inmate,Dutton. After fulfilling his task, Castle realizes he has been set up and is targeted for elimination. However, he kills multiple inmates and ultimately forces Fisk to release him, allowing him to continue his mission outside prison. Upon resuming his investigation, Castle uncovers the truth behind his family’s deaths. He learns that the Blacksmith, the orchestrator of the failed sting operation, is Schoonover. Castle confronts and executes him, subsequently discovering a hidden weapons cache and body armor.
Castle paints a skull emblem onto his new body armor and provides sniper support to Daredevil during a confrontation withthe Hand. With his personal vendetta seemingly resolved, he later burns down his family's former home, symbolizing he has fully embraced his identity as the Punisher, and disappears into the night.
Castle finishes hunting down the criminals involved in the death of his family. Six months later, he works at a construction site but struggles with his isolation. Castle reconnects with fellow veteranCurtis Hoyle for emotional support while being haunted by his past inAfghanistan. Castle's life changes when he meetsMicro, a formerNSA analyst, who reveals a video implicating Castle's military unit in the death of a foreign national, Ahmad Zubair, during a mission inKandahar. This discovery leads Castle to team up with Micro to uncover government corruption and the truth behind his past.
Castle learns about Cerberus, a special military unit involved in morally questionable operations. After a disastrous mission that caused the death of several soldiers, Castle lost faith in the military system. His quest for revenge intensifies as he uncovers a conspiracy involving government officials likeRawlins, who orchestrated his family’s deaths and had links to illegal weapons trades. Castle's partnership with Micro deepens, but the involvement of Micro's family causes Castle to question the consequences of his actions. Meanwhile,Homeland Security agentDinah Madani investigates Castle's past, leading to a standoff between them.
Castle then discovers his friendBilly Russo betrayed him, knowing about the plan to kill Castle's family. In a confrontation, Castle disfigures Russo's face instead of killing him. Castle also confronts and takes down Rawlins, allowing Micro to reunite with his family. Despite being offered a new life, Castle chooses to remain as the Punisher, understanding that the cost of his vengeance will stay with him.
A year and a half later, Castle helps a young girl named Rachel escape a dangerous group at a bar. After a shootout, they flee to a motel, where Castle learns Rachel’s real name isAmy Bendix. The group continues to pursue them, leading to a series of confrontations. Castle calls Madani for help but is left to defend himself. Flashbacks revealJohn Pilgrim's past as awhite supremacist and his mission to capture Castle and Bendix. Castle and Bendix escape to New York, where Castle seeks information about Russo. Meanwhile, Russo has recovered and begins manipulating veterans for a robbery spree.
Castle tracks down the Russians who hired Bendix's group, killing most of them and sparing their leader, Poloznev, who is later killed by Pilgrim. Castle finds out that Russo is planning more violence, and Castle confront him. During the standoff, Castle realizes Russo has amnesia and does not remember killing his family. Russo's gang continues its crime spree, and Castle confronts Russo, revealing he was responsible for Russo's scars. Russo's men ambush Castle, but Castle survives and finds Russo at Valhalla.
After a brutal battle at Valhalla, Castle learns he was set up for the murder of three women. He is arrested but later freed by Page and Madani. Castle and Bendix escape, but Pilgrim continues to pursue them. Castle kills Russo and confronts the Schultzes at their mansion. Castle kills Eliza Schultz and forces Anderson Schultz to take his own life. Castle, Bendix, and Pilgrim go their separate ways, and Castle embraces his role as the Punisher.
At his hideout, Castle meets with Murdock again when the latter finds the bullet used inHector Ayala's murder has the Punisher's symbol on it. As Murdock suggests dealing with the corrupt police officers misusing the symbol, Castle calls him out for retiring as Daredevil and not lettingBenjamin Poindexter die for killing Nelson a year prior.
Castle is contacted by Page to protect Murdock following Poindexter's escape. At Murdock's apartment, they fight Fisk's Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF), including Ayala's murdererCole North, whom Castle insists Murdock to kill, but the latter resists in doing so. Both escape an explosion and reunite with Page. After Murdock and Page leave, Castle decides to confront the AVTF atRed Hook but is defeated. Officer Powell tries to get him to join them, but Castle rejects him and is imprisoned alongside other vigilantes. Castle later tricks a prison guard and begins to break free.
Jon Bernthal first portrays Frank Castle / Punisher in two of theNetflix series of theMarvel Cinematic Universe byMarvel Television: introduced in asupporting role in thesecond season ofDaredevil (2016), he later starred as the character in thespin-off seriesThe Punisher (2017–2019). Bernthal reprises the role inMarvel Studios productions, beginning with theDisney+ seriesDaredevil: Born Again (2025–present), and followed by anuntitled Punisher television special (2026), marketed under the "Marvel Studios Special Presentation" banner,[9] and the filmSpider-Man: Brand New Day (2026).[10]
Daredevil season two showrunnerDoug Petrie stated thatRobert De Niro's characterTravis Bickle from the filmTaxi Driver (1976) was an influence on the character, as well as current events, saying, "Taking lethal justice into your own hands in America in 2015 is tricky shit. We have not shied away from the rich complicated reality of Now. If you've got a gun and you're not the police you're going to incite strong feelings." Bernthal added that "This character has resonated with law enforcement and military ... and the best thing about him is that if he offends you, he just doesn't care."[11] Bernthal studied all the previous portrayals of Punisher, saying, "once you devour and eat up as much as you can, my way is to make it as personal as possible". On how Castle resonates with him, Bernthal said, "He ain't got a fucking cape. He ain't got any superpowers. He's a fucking tortured, angry father and husband who's living in this unbelievable world of darkness and loss and torment."[12] Bernthal added that there would be "a military component" in the series since Castle is "a soldier... [The series] will be somewhat centered on that".[13] He also stated that "the character that was portrayed onDaredevil season two was sort of the origin tale of how this guy became the Punisher, why he put on the vest."[14] Bernthal noted he "always want[ed] to preserve the essence of" Castle, who Bernthal described as "brutal", "damaged," and "tortured", by exploring "the pain and what's behind the violence and the reason why he's committing the violence" that is "utterly satisfying and addictive for him".[15]
Drew Goddard felt that television was the best fit for the character, as the writers are "able to do things on the small screen that fit that character better than if we had to water him down for the movies."[16] Petrie and Marco Ramirez talked about creating their version of the character following the film versions, with Ramirez saying, "even if you know the character, you've never seen him like this. That was the big thing we wanted. There are four movies, eight hours and four actors. We've seen this guy. We think we know who he is, but even we learned that he's so much more." Petrie said, "We hope to make people forget what they've seen before, whether they've loved it or not."[17] In order to get in the correct mindset to portray Castle, Bernthal trained with military members, along with receiving weapon training. Bernthal also "had to put myself in as dark of place as possible" to connect with "the emptiness inside" Castle, and isolate himself, including walking across theBrooklyn Bridge to get to set "to shed any outside influence of joy."[18]Rosario Dawson, who felt Matt Murdock behaved like the Punisher inDaredevil season one, felt it would "be really interesting to see how [the writers] differentiate" the two in the second season.[19] Describing the character, Bernthal said, "As a man who put his [life] on the line and really went through the ultimate sacrifice for this country in his involvement in the military. He's a guy who brought the war home with him [in] the worst possible way. There are a lot of iterations of this character and in all of them it's a man who's gone through this unbelievable trauma and what's interesting about our take on him is how this trauma reshapes his own philosophy."[18] Bernthal also talked about the character's 'superpowers', saying, "If I got one thing from the comics, I think, as far as superpowers... his superpower is his rage. His superpower is that he is not going to quit, and he is going to go forward no matter what. And that's as human and grounded a quality as I think as this sort of genre could have".[20]
Stuntman Eric Linden, who worked onThe Punisher as a stunt coordinator, second unit director and Bernthal'sstunt double,[21] directed and played the lead role of the Punisher in the 2020 shortfan filmSkull: Punisher Reawakened, produced in association with FXitinPost.[22]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 44th Saturn Awards | Best Actor on Television | Jon Bernthal | Nominated | [23][24] |
| 2019 | 45th Saturn Awards | Best Actor in Streaming Presentation | Nominated | [25] |
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