The anticipation surrounding Daredevil seasons 4 and 5 is a bittersweet reminder of what could have been. While it’s disappointing that the original series did not continue beyond three seasons, the upcoming series, Daredevil: Born Again, reignites hope by bringing one pivotal storyline to life many years later. In the landscape of superhero television, shows often fall into one of two categories: enduring lengthy runs or facing premature cancellation after just one to three seasons. Each of these strategies has led to notable successes, but the diverging trajectories have also created challenges for storytelling and audience engagement.
Initially, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) faced criticism for its decision to limit many of its shows to a single season. This approach raised concerns regarding the depth of storytelling and the opportunity for audiences to form attachments to the characters and narratives. The outcry for more content—even for fan-favorites like Daredevil—underscores this reality. The original series, which ran for three seasons, is a prime example of fans wishing for further development, especially after its impactful conclusion.
Daredevil’s Original Netflix Story Ran For 3 Seasons
Before the anticipated 2025 reboot, all of Charlie Cox’s portrayal of Daredevil unfolded across three seasons and his appearances in The Defenders. Each season consisted of 13 episodes, providing ample screen time to delve into Matt Murdock’s complex life and his tumultuous interactions with Vincent D’Onofrio’s formidable Kingpin. Despite this rich narrative, the initial plan was not to conclude the series after just three seasons. Watching season 3 now highlights lingering narrative threads, particularly the significant cliffhanger involving Benjamin Poindexter, who is on the brink of becoming Bullseye—a formidable adversary for Daredevil.
The cancellation of other series like Luke Cage and Iron Fist, which ended after two seasons, established a precedent, leading to Daredevil also being cut short. In November 2018, it was announced that season 3 would be the show’s last, just weeks after showrunner Erik Oleson shared the ambitions for a potential fourth season on social media. This abrupt ending left many compelling story arcs unexplored.
Unrealized Plans for Daredevil Seasons 4 & 5 Offer Intriguing Possibilities
In a revealing discussion at the #SaveDaredevilCon in 2020, Oleson and former showrunner Steven DeKnight reflected on the series’ trajectory and their ideas for continuing the story beyond season 3. Oleson detailed intriguing plans for a fifth season that included Bullseye’s return after a period of recovery. Season 4 would introduce a new villain—Typhoid Mary—alongside Leland Owlsley’s son, who adopts the mantle of The Owl in a quest for vengeance.
This envisioned storyline hinted at a deeper exploration of Daredevil’s rogues’ gallery and potentially rich adaptations of beloved comic arcs. With Kingpin imprisoned following the dramatic events of season 3, the introduction of The Owl striving to fill that power vacuum aligns marvelously with existing comic lore. Moreover, Typhoid Mary’s intricate relationship with Daredevil could have added layers of complexity to the overall narrative.
Oleson’s mention of a “warped love story/murder mystery”involving Typhoid Mary suggests a narrative shift that would blend emotional stakes with visceral action, enhancing the storytelling’s tension. Sadly, while some of these ambitious ideas have been set aside, a piece of this vision is manifesting in the current landscape of Daredevil adaptations.
Daredevil’s Season 5 Plan Adapted in the New Series, Daredevil: Born Again
While many of the ambitious plans for Daredevil’s fourth and fifth seasons remain unrealized, Bullseye’s reappearance in Daredevil: Born Again serves as a partial homage to those original concepts. Although the exact timeline between the original series and this reboot is still under wraps, it’s clear that Bullseye’s return, following an extended hiatus, aligns with the earlier intention of using his character more prominently in season 5.
The premiere episode of Daredevil: Born Again effectively showcases Bullseye’s enhanced threat level post-surgery. While specifics regarding his enhancements, akin to his comic counterpart’s adamantium upgrade, are yet to be revealed, his violent actions—specifically the murder of Foggy Nelson—demonstrate the depths of his animosity toward Daredevil, solidifying his status as one of Matt Murdock’s foremost adversaries.
With this promising foundation, Daredevil: Born Again has the potential to resurrect and adapt other aspects of the forgotten plans for seasons 4 and 5, bringing new life to beloved characters while maintaining narrative continuity with the original series.
The first season of Daredevil: Born Again will release weekly episodes until April 15, 2025.