April 10, 2015 (2015-04-10) – June 14, 2019 (2019-06-14)
Marvel's Netflix television series are a set of interconnected American television series created for the streaming serviceNetflix, based on characters that appear in publications byMarvel Comics. Produced byMarvel Television andABC Studios, they are set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity withthe franchise's films andother television series. Head of Marvel TelevisionJeph Loeb revealed the group of shows were known internally as the "Marvel Street-Level Heroes" or "Marvel Knights" series.
The series are believed to have generated strong viewership for Netflix, who do not release exact viewership details, and received positive reviews for their casts and darker take on the MCU. There were some common criticisms of the series, such as for their pacing. Netflix had cancelled all of the series by February 2019, when Marvel's parent companyDisney was preparing its own streaming service,Disney+. The series were all removed from Netflix on March 1, 2022, after Disney regained the licenses for them, and they began streaming on Disney+ from March 16, where they were collected under the title "The Defenders Saga".
Contractually, Marvel had to wait two years before they could use the characters without Netflix.Vincent D'Onofrio and Cox were the first actors to reprise their roles inMarvel Studios-produced MCU projects, in December 2021. A newDaredevil series, titledDaredevil: Born Again, premiered in 2025 on Disney+, with Cox, D'Onofrio, Bernthal, otherDaredevil cast members, and Ritter returning, while a Punisher-centeredMarvel Studios Special Presentation television special starring Bernthal is in development.
By October 2013,Marvel Television was preparing four drama series and a miniseries, totaling 60 episodes, to present tovideo on demand services and cable providers, withNetflix,Amazon, andWGN America expressing interest.[1] In November 2013, Marvel's parent companyDisney was set to provide Netflix with live-action series based onDaredevil,Jessica Jones,Iron Fist, andLuke Cage, leading up to a crossover miniseries based on theDefenders.[2] Disney CEOBob Iger explained that Disney had chosen Netflix to air the shows when they realized that the audience of the streaming service would provide a way to "grow the popularity of the characters".[3]
Marvel Television headJeph Loeb later stated that Marvel was not "interested in making four pilots and then hoping someday that they could all get together. Netflix really understood what it is we wanted to do. They're very open to directors that might not have that same opportunity in broadcast television. The notion of having all 13 episodes at one time, particularly in serialized storytelling, is very appealing."[4] Loeb also added that the four characters "lent [themselves] to a world" due to their relationships and shared locale of New York City in the comics but that the individual series would be different from one another because "the characters have different issues, different problems, different feelings about them". Loeb gave as an example theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) filmsCaptain America: The Winter Soldier andGuardians of the Galaxy (both 2014), on which he said, "I cannot think of two films that are more different in tone" than them, and yet "they feel very Marvel ... like, 'Oh, it is still the same universe that I'm in.'"[5] Despite being branded as "Netflix Originals", the series were licensed to Netflix from Disney.[6]
Marvel'sJoe Quesada confirmed in April 2014 that the Netflix series would be set within the MCU.[7] Loeb explained that "within the Marvel universe there are thousands of heroes of all shapes and sizes, but theAvengers are here to save the universe and Daredevil is here to save the neighborhood ... It does take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's all connected. But that doesn't necessarily mean that we would look up in the sky and see [Iron Man]. It's just a different part of New York that we have not yet seen inthe Marvel movies."[8] In January 2015, Netflix COOTed Sarandos said Netflix planned to release a Marvel series approximately a year apart from each other afterDaredevil's April 2015 release.[9] A year later, Sarandos noted that the release schedules of the Marvel Netflix series are dependent on the "long production times and long post times. In some cases, when we have characters crossover, it makes it more difficult to manage production. It's not the goal to put out more than one or two [each] year ... The complex one is reallyThe Defenders.The Defenders' production schedule will determine a lot of the season 2 and 3 output of those shows." He also noted on potential spin-offs that "all the characters in the universe could also spin out" into their own series at some point,[10] with Netflix orderingThe Punisher, a spin-off fromDaredevil, in April 2016.[11]
In May 2015, after starring asClaire Temple in thefirst season ofDaredevil,Rosario Dawson signed with Marvel to return for the second season of the series as part of an "exclusive TV deal" that also allowed her to appear in any other Marvel Netflix series asClaire Temple.[12] Dawson went on to appear in all of the series exceptThe Punisher, linking them together similarly toSamuel L. Jackson'sNick Fury in the MCU films.[13] Dawson explained that she signed on with Marvel each year for a certain number of episodes, and found out which series the episodes were for closer to the time of filming.[14] Sarandos stated in July 2016 that Netflix was trying to close the gap between releases of Marvel seasons and was considering expanding to new series, but would always prioritize the quality of the shows over having more series and more releases per year.[15] That month, Marvel and Netflix committed to completing production on 135 episodes by the end of 2017, making the deal the largest television production commitment in New York State. Production for the different series engaged 500 local vendors and small businesses for various stages of development and required over 14,000 production-related hires.[16] Sarandos later stated that the original deal with Marvel was "the biggest deal in the history of television. No one will ever touch it."[17]
Lawyer-by-dayMatt Murdock uses his heightened senses from being blinded as a young boy to fight crime at night on the streets ofHell's Kitchen as Daredevil, juxtaposed with the rise of crime lordWilson Fisk.[27] Murdock eventually crosses paths withFrank Castle / Punisher, a vigilante with far deadlier methods, and sees the return of his old girlfriend,Elektra Natchios.[28][29] When Wilson Fisk is released from prison, Murdock must decide between hiding from the world or embracing his life as a hero vigilante.[30]
In December 2013, Marvel announced thatDrew Goddard would be the executive producer and showrunner forDaredevil, and would write and direct the first episode,[31] though at the end of May 2014, Goddard was no longer set to be the showrunner for the series and was replaced bySteven S. DeKnight. Goddard, who wrote the first two episodes, remained with the show as an executive producer.[18] A few days later,Charlie Cox was cast as Daredevil.[32] Asecond season was ordered on April 21, 2015, withDouglas Petrie andMarco Ramirez taking over as showrunners from DeKnight, who could not return to the series due to a prior commitment.[19] Athird season was ordered in July 2016,[33] withErik Oleson taking over as showrunner of the series in October 2017.[20]
Melissa Rosenberg isJessica Jones' creator and showrunner.
Jessica Jones suffers frompost-traumatic stress disorder, so she opens her own detective agency to help people.[45] She begins to put her life back together after her encounter withKilgrave, taking on a new case that makes her reluctantly confront her past.[46]
In November 2013,Melissa Rosenberg was announced as the writer and executive producer of the series,[21] and the following March, Loeb stated that filming would begin afterDaredevil.[47] In December 2014,Krysten Ritter was cast as Jessica Jones in the series.[48] Asecond season was ordered on January 17, 2016,[49] anda third on April 12, 2018.[50]Scott Reynolds joined Rosenberg as co-showrunner for the third season.[22]
When a sabotaged experiment gives him super strength and unbreakable skin,Luke Cage becomes a fugitive attempting to rebuild his life inHarlem and must soon confront his past and fight a battle for the heart of his city.[63] After clearing his name, Cage becomes a hero and celebrity in Harlem, only to encounter a new threat that makes him confront the line between hero and villain.[64]
Colter reprises his role as Luke Cage in his own series.[45][53][65] In March 2014, Loeb stated that the series would begin filming afterIron Fist, being the fourth of the individual series.[47] By March 2015, it was instead slated to be the third of the individual series, beginning production afterJessica Jones.[19][66] The series was switched withIron Fist after the positive reception Luke Cage received onJessica Jones, becoming that series' breakout star and Marvel wanting to "follow the momentum".[67] Also in March, Cheo Hodari Coker was announced as showrunner and executive producer of the series.[23] Asecond season was ordered on December 3, 2016.[68]
Danny Rand returns to New York City, after being missing for fifteen years, to reclaim his family's company. However, when a threat emerges, Rand must choose between his family's legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.[79]
In March 2014, Loeb stated that the series would begin filming afterJessica Jones as the third of the individual series.[47] By March 2015, it was expected to be the fourth of the individual series, entering production followingLuke Cage.[19][66] The series was switched withLuke Cage after the positive reception Luke Cage received onJessica Jones, becoming that series' breakout star and Marvel wanting to "follow the momentum".[67] In December 2015, Marvel announced that Scott Buck would serve as showrunner and executive producer of the series.[24] In February 2016, Finn Jones was cast as Rand.[80][81] Asecond season was revealed to be in development in July 2017,[82] withRaven Metzner announced as the new showrunner for the season, replacing Buck.[25]
Thefirst season, which premiered on March 17, 2017,[79] makes references to the events ofThe Avengers, the Hulk,Stark Industries, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Seagate Prison,[83] and mentions the Dogs of Hell biker gang,New York Bulletin editor-in-chief Mitchell Ellison and reporterKaren Page,[84]Roxxon Oil, and Midland Circle.[85][86] Events from the second season ofDaredevil are also noted throughout.[83][86] Reprising their roles in the season are Moss as Hogarth,[87] Dawson as Temple,[88]Wai Ching Ho as Gao,[89] Marquis Rodriguez as Darryl,[90]Tijuana Ricks as Thembi Wallace, and Suzanne H. Smart as Shirley Benson. The second season, which was released on September 7, 2018,[91] seesSimone Missick reprise her role as Misty Knight,[82] and makes reference toSokovia.[92]
The superheroes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist team up in New York City.[24]
The Defenders sees Cox, Ritter, Colter, and Jones reprise their roles as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Danny Rand / Iron Fist, respectively, from the previous television series.[93] In March 2014, Loeb stated that the miniseries would begin filming afterIron Fist.[94][47][66] In April 2016, Marvel announced that Douglas Petrie and Marco Ramirez would act as showrunners forThe Defenders.[94] However, by the start of filming in New York City in October 2016,[95][96] Petrie had left the series as co-showrunner.[26] Filming concluded in March 2017.[97] The eight-episode event premiered on August 18, 2017.[98][99]
Frank Castle is haunted and hunted after the murder of his family and becomes a vigilante known in the criminal underworld as "the Punisher" who aims to fight crime by any means necessary.[11][113]
By January 2016, ahead of the debut of Bernthal as armed vigilante Frank Castle / Punisher in the second season ofDaredevil, Netflix was in "very early development" on a spin-off series and was looking for a showrunner. The series would be centered on Bernthal as Castle and was described as a stand-alone series, outside of the series leading up toThe Defenders.[114][115][10] Loeb implied that Marvel Television had not instigated the development of the spin-off and was focusing on making "the best 13 episodes ofDaredevil season two" at the time but did say, "I'm never going to discourage a network from looking at one of our characters and encouraging us to do more... If we are lucky enough that through the writing, through the direction, through the actor that people want to see more of that person, terrific."[116] In April 2016, Marvel and Netflix orderedThe Punisher, along with confirming Bernthal's involvement and namingSteve Lightfoot as showrunner.[11] Filming began in Brooklyn, New York in October 2016,[117] and concluded in April 2017.[118] Asecond season was ordered on December 12, 2017.[119]
In thefirst season, which was released on November 17, 2017,[120] Woll and Morgan reprise their roles as Karen Page and Turk Barrett, respectively.[121][122] The second season was released on January 18, 2019.[123]
With the release of the second season ofDaredevil, Brian Lowery ofVariety felt the Netflix series "have already leapfrogged ABC's forays into the Marvel universe in terms of their appeal, in part by tapping into the avid fan base that supports pay models and doesn't need to be spoon-fed plot points. In the process, they have demonstrated that it's possible to deliver a credible superhero show without a lot of pyrotechnics".[162] Following the release ofJessica Jones, David Priest atc|net wrote that the series rescues "Marvel from itself ...Jessica Jones takes big steps forward in terms of theme, craft and diversity. It's a good story first, and a superhero show second. And for the first time, the MCU seems like it matters."[163] For Paul Tassi and Erik Kain ofForbes, watching the series made them question the MCU, with Kain feeling that the "morally complex, violent, dark world ofJessica Jones has no place in the MCU ... right now, the MCU is holding back shows likeJessica Jones andDaredevil, while those shows are contributing absolutely nothing to the MCU."[164] Tassi went so far as to wonder what "the point of the Marvel Cinematic Universe" is, lamenting the lack of major crossovers in the franchise and saying thatJessica Jones is "so far removed from the world ofThe Avengers, it might as well not be in the same universe at all ... [I] really don't understand the point of [the MCU] if they're going to keep everything within it separated off in these little boxes".[165] Conversely, Eric Francisco of Inverse calledJessica Jones's lack of overt connections to the MCU "the show's chief advantage. Besides demonstrating how physically wide open the MCU's scope really is,Jessica Jones also proves the MCU's thematic durability."[166]
After the release of the first season ofLuke Cage,The Atlantic's David Sims highlighted the pacing of Marvel's Netflix series, a common complaint from critics of all the series, stating, "After two seasons ofDaredevil, one ofJessica Jones, and now one ofLuke Cage, the Netflix model feels fundamentally flawed, encouraging the kind of molasses-slow plotting comic books are designed to eschew. The problem isn't that these shows are bad, necessarily... But they all take far too long to get going, by which point many viewers will have already tuned out." He felt one of the problems was the fact that Netflix does not rely on viewers tuning into a particular series as broadcast series do each week, but rather subscribers who, if they lose interest, "can take as long as they want to catch up... as long as they keep paying their subscription fee every month." The Netflix series are also afforded the opportunity to explore elements in more detail, with Sims noting "A lot of this detail [is] good, but it could have been considerably compressed—none of the Marvel Netflix series, so far, would have lost much by being squeezed into 10 episodes, or even 8. If Netflix shaved the 60-minute running time down quite a bit, it would likely inspire more economical—and better—storytelling from its shows." Sims concluded by saying, "What's most frustrating of all is that Netflix isn't getting rid of this approach anytime soon.Daredevil season three,Jessica Jones season two,Iron Fist, andThe Punisher are all on their way, and each will follow the same 13-episode structure... The only respite may come in the form ofThe Defenders, a planned crossover series... over the course of just eight episodes. Who knows? The show might even surprise viewers and explain its villain's motivations within the first hour. Until then, fans will be stuck needlessly giving over entire days to these series, while others are deterred from watching at all."[167]
In her review for the first season ofIron Fist, Allison Keene ofCollider spoke of the Marvel Netflix series' more grounded tone "than what we typically expect from a superhero show (likeDC's candy-colored [Arrowverse] onThe CW)", which misses a key element expected of superhero series: "thisshould be fantastical entertainment".[168] WithThe Defenders, Jeff Jansen ofEntertainment Weekly felt many improvements were made in response to the common complaints the previous seasons received. He said, "The Defenders is far from perfect. But it's an enjoyable superhero adventure distinguished by improvements and innovations that I hope Marvel will carry forward. Shorter seasons. More team-ups. Fewer shows. Start the consolidation by letting go ofIron Fist. If Danny Rand must persist, add him to the other shows and let the stronger players carry him."[169]
Netflix CCOTed Sarandos stated in January 2016 that "all the characters in the universe" could receive their own spin-off series,[10] and that July he added that Netflix was open to exploring the MCU beyond theDefenders series, including potential crossovers with ABC's Marvel series.[15] Netflix vice president of original content Cindy Holland reiterated in July 2018 that there were always ongoing discussions regarding creating more spin-offs for characters from their Marvel series.[170] That September, Loeb stated that he would like to make aDaughters of the Dragon series for Netflix, featuring Jessica Henwick's Colleen Wing and Simone Missick's Misty Knight.[171]
When the Marvel-Netflix deal was announced in November 2013, Iger indicated that if the characters proved popular they could go on to star in feature films.[3] In March 2015, Loeb stated that the series would start out self-contained since "the audience needs to understand who all of these characters are and what the world is before you then start co-mingling".[172] In September 2015,Marvel Studios'Kevin Feige said the films referencing the television series was inevitable, but "the schedules do not always quite match up to make that possible [since] by the time we start doing a movie, they'd be mid-way through a season. By the time our movie comes out, they'd be [starting the next season]."[173]
In April 2016, Marvel Studios revealed thatAlfre Woodard would appear inCaptain America: Civil War (2016), having already been cast as Mariah Dillard inLuke Cage the previous year.[174] This "raised hopes that Marvel could be uniting its film and Netflix universes",[175] with "one of the first and strongest connections" between the two.[174] However,Civil War writersChristopher Markus and Stephen McFeely revealed that Woodard would instead be portrayingMiriam Sharpe in the film, explaining that she had been cast on the suggestion ofRobert Downey Jr., and they had not learnt of her casting inLuke Cage until afterwards.[174] This was not the first instance of actors being cast in multiple roles in the MCU, but this casting was called more "significant", and seen by many as a "disappointing" indication of "the growing divide" and "lack of more satisfying cooperation" between Marvel Studios and Marvel Television following the September 2015 corporate reshuffling ofMarvel Entertainment that saw Marvel Studios become its own entity under Disney.[174][176]
Eric Carroll, producer onSpider-Man: Homecoming (2017), felt with the introduction ofQueens-basedSpider-Man to the MCU it "would be really fun" to make mention of the Defenders based in Manhattan, adding, "it's definitely a card I would love to see played, if not sooner rather than later."[177] In January 2017, Vincent D'Onofrio, who portrays Wilson Fisk inDaredevil, said he "would love to switch over to the movies, but I think it's pretty much been said it's not going to happen. Or at least not for a very, very long time." D'Onofrio cited Feige's previous reasoning as well as the fact that the films already had difficulty "bringing big characters in that they have to service in the writing" and adding characters from the television series would be "just too many characters" since the films were "trying to figure out already how to individualize more and at the same time keepThe Avengers going".[178] Loeb said in October that the television series do not showAvengers Tower in New York City as the films do because Marvel Television wanted to be "less specific" about their characters' relationships to the tower and indicate that "this could be on any street corner ... where you would not be able to see the tower, even though it exists".[179]
When Feige first announced the crossover filmAvengers: Infinity War (2018), he said the opportunity "certainly" exists for characters in the Netflix series to appear in that film,[180] and actors such as Krysten Ritter ofJessica Jones expressed interest in doing this.[181]Daredevil's Charlie Cox revealed that he and other actors with Marvel Television were contractually obliged to appear in a Marvel film if asked.[182]Infinity War co-directorAnthony Russo stated that including television characters inInfinity War would be complicated by Marvel Studios and Marvel Television having separate oversight.[183] The "briefest consideration" to including Daredevil and Luke Cage in the film was ultimately made, but the directors stated that it was "practically impossible",[184][185] and decided to just focus on crossing-over the characters from previous films instead.[185]
In October 2018, Netflix canceledIron Fist, withDeadline Hollywood reporting that Disney was considering reviving the series on its streaming serviceDisney+.[186] Sarandos confirmed that the series were Netflix's to renew or cancel if they wished, and the company was "super happy with [the other series'] performance so far".[187] Despite this,Luke Cage was canceled by the streamer a week afterIron Fist was.Deadline Hollywood reported there were no plans to revive the series on Disney+ as withIron Fist.[188] Shortly after, at the end of November 2018, Netflix canceledDaredevil, withDeadline Hollywood again reporting there was the potential for the series to be revived on Disney+.[189] Conversely,The Hollywood Reporter felt it was unlikely the series would be revived on Disney+ and also noted the two other remaining series at the time (Jessica Jones andThe Punisher) would remain on Netflix "until they run their course".[190]Variety added that, per the original deal between Marvel and Netflix for the series, the characters cannot appear in any non-Netflix series or films for at least two years following their cancellation.[191][192]Kevin A. Mayer, chairman ofWalt Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International, noted that, while it had not yet been discussed, it was a possibility that Disney+ could revive the cancelled Netflix series.[193] Netflix canceled bothJessica Jones andThe Punisher on February 18, 2019.[194] Loeb stated in August 2019 that Marvel Television had been "blindsided" by the cancellation of the series which "weren't finished yet", and the company had believed that the situation could be an end for them until they had several new series ordered byHulu in a similar model to the original Marvel-Netflix deal. Loeb said there were future series being developed by Marvel Television that could be classified as "Marvel Street-Level Heroes" or "Marvel Knights" series just like the Marvel-Netflix series. He added, "however history's going to remember the story, all that's important to us is that we had an opportunity to change television by putting together four heroes, who then joined together in a group".[195] Sarandos later stated that Netflix clashed with Marvel Television whenever they wanted to "make the shows bigger or better". He said Marvel Television was "thrifty" and wanted to produce the group of series "as cheaply as possible", given they were the producers of the series and would keep whatever was not spent.[17]
All of the series were removed from Netflix on March 1, 2022, due to Netflix's license for the series ending and Disney regaining the rights.[196] Disney opted not to have Netflix pay a large licensing fee to retain the distribution rights for the series,[197] and instead announced that all of the series would be made available on Disney+ on March 16 in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and in Disney+'s other markets by the end of 2022.[198][199] In the United States, revised parental controls were introduced to the service to allow the more mature content of the series to be added, similarly to the controls that already exist for other regions that have theStar content hub.[200] TheParents Television and Media Council (PTMC), a conservative-leaning advisory group, denounced the additions of the shows to the service despite said-parental control updates, with its president Tim Winter stating that it was "wildly 'off-brand'" for Disney since the platform had been "logically marketed itself as a family-friendly streaming service". He said the move would "forever tarnish [Disney's] family friendly crown".[201] Disney+ grouped the series together under the title "The Defenders Saga",[202] and removed the two mentions of Netflix from each series' opening credits.[203]
In January 2021, Feige said "never say never" to potentially reviving the series, but Marvel Studios was focused on their new Disney+ series announced at that time.[204] He also said "everything is on the board" in terms of the characters reappearing in Marvel Studios properties, and felt there were "some great characters and actors" from the Netflix series.[205] In December 2021, Feige revealed that any upcoming Marvel Studios projects featuring Daredevil would have Cox reprise his role as the character,[206] with the actor first appearing in the filmSpider-Man: No Way Home (2021).[207] Henwick said Cox had known about the potential to reprise his role for Marvel Studios years prior.[208] Additionally, D'Onofrio first reprised his role as Kingpin in the Disney+ seriesHawkeye (2021).[209]
In March 2022, aDaredevilreboot series was reported to be in development, with Feige andChris Gary serving as producers.[210][211] The series was confirmed to be in development for Disney+ in late May, with Matt Corman and Chris Ord attached ashead writers and executive producers.[212] The series, titledDaredevil: Born Again, was officially announced in July, with Cox and D'Onofrio confirmed to return.[213] Bernthal also reprises his role inBorn Again.[214] Ahead of Cox's appearance inEcho, which released in January 2024, Marvel Studios' head of streamingBrad Winderbaum acknowledged that Marvel Studios had previously been "a little bit cagey" about what was part of theirSacred Timeline, noting how there had been the corporate divide between what Marvel Studios created and what Marvel Television created. He continued that as time has passed, Marvel Studios has begun to see "how well integrated the [Marvel Television] stories are" and personally felt "confident" in sayingDaredevil was part of the Sacred Timeline.[215] Marvel Studios began looking at the Netflix series as a more integral part to the MCU onceBorn Again underwent a creative overhaul in September 2023,[216][217] which now served as more of a continuation from the Netflix series and saw additionalDaredevil actors reprising their role.[218] WithEcho's release, all of the Netflix series were retroactively added to theMCU Disney+ timeline, and were placed primarily alongside thePhase Two andPhase Three content of the MCU.[219][220][221]
In February 2025, Winderbaum saidBorn Again was envisioned as a multi-season series, and the studio was exploring and "creativelyextremely excited" about trying to reintroduce the other Defenders actors.[218] Additionally, it was announced that Bernthal would star in aMarvel Studios Special Presentationuntitled Punisher television special, withReinaldo Marcus Green directing and co-writing with Bernthal.[222] In May 2025, it was announced that Ritter would appear in thesecond season ofBorn Again;[223] Ritter had known about her return to the role for nearly two years.[224]Iron Fists appear inMarvel Studios Animation series: Jorani, voiced by Jona Xiao, is the Iron Fist in 1400 China that appears inEyes of Wakanda (2025),[225] while Kwai Jun-Fan, voiced by Allen Deng, is an alternate version of the character in theOld West in 1872 that appears in thethird season of the animated seriesWhat If...? (2024).[226][225]
In January 2026, Colter said there had been conversations about him reprising his role. He was willing to give fans hope about a potential return because discussions were "in a better position to see this come into fruition faster than we think", and added that he had "unfinished business" with Luke Cage.[227]
