After a tragic and chaotic first season, Matt Murdock will not face Wilson Fisk alone in the next chapter of Daredevil: Born Again. A senior Marvel Studios executive has officially confirmed that Karen Page, portrayed by Deborah Ann Woll, will be Matt’s central partner as the battle for New York City intensifies.
The news came directly from Brad Winderbaum, Head of Streaming, TV and Animation at Marvel Studios, during The Official Marvel Podcast. He provided a clear update on the dynamic for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to begin streaming on March 4, 2026, on Disney+.
Winderbaum stated: “He’s got a great partner in Karen Page. So, I’m very excited for people to see that, too.”
From Estranged Friends To Strategic Allies
This official partnership marks a significant shift for the characters. The first season of Daredevil: Born Again ended with Matt at one of his lowest points, having fully embraced his Daredevil persona after concluding the legal system was broken. His best friend and law partner, Foggy Nelson, was killed, and his brief romantic relationship with therapist Heather Glenn ended.
Karen Page, meanwhile, was largely absent for much of the season’s middle episodes, a result of a well-documented creative overhaul that occurred during production. Her return to a central role is a direct response to fan feedback and a move to better connect the new series to the beloved Netflix era. Showrunner Dario Scardapane has called Karen “the heart and soul of this mythology,” noting her interactions bring more humanity out of Matt.
Winderbaum emphasized how drastically Matt’s world has changed, setting the stage for this renewed alliance. “[Matt’s] in a completely different reality now after the end of the first season,” he said. “He’s now fighting the power in a massive way.”
A New Battle Against Kingpin’s Rule
The core conflict of Season 2 evolves from the first season’s premise. Where Season 1 focused on Wilson Fisk’s rise to political power, culminating in his election as mayor of New York City, Season 2 will explore the challenges of maintaining that power.
Winderbaum explained the thematic shift: “If Season 1 was about Wilson Fisk’s rise to power, Season 2 is about the trappings of power and how hard it is to hold on to that power once you have it.”
Fisk now operates openly from City Hall, having imposed martial law through his “Safer Streets Initiative” and targeting vigilantes with an Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF). This creates a new, oppressive landscape for Matt and Karen to navigate. First-look images suggest they will be operating on the run together, indicating an underground, guerilla-style campaign against Fisk’s regime.
Rebuilding Trust And A Deeper Connection
For long-time fans of the characters from the original Netflix series, the confirmation of Matt and Karen’s partnership carries emotional weight. Their history is long and complex, spanning from their days at the Nelson & Murdock law firm through numerous life-threatening battles and personal tragedies.
While they developed a deep bond, their romantic relationship has always been complicated, with Matt’s life as Daredevil and other romantic interests like Elektra creating constant barriers. In the first season of Born Again, they were shown to be estranged following Foggy’s death, adding another layer of grief to overcome.
Marvel’s announcement, coupled with scenes from the Season 2 trailer showing intimate moments like dancing and a near-kiss, strongly suggests this partnership will rekindle their romantic connection. This comes after Matt’s relationship with Heather Glenn, who is now serving as the “mental health czar” in Mayor Fisk’s administration.
A Larger Resistance Takes Shape
While Karen is confirmed as Matt’s primary partner, they will not be the only ones opposing Kingpin. The fan-favorite Jessica Jones, played by Krysten Ritter, is also joining the fight. Ritter’s return marks Jessica’s first MCU appearance since her own Netflix series concluded in 2019.
Winderbaum teased that Jessica’s return will involve “a lot of very cool surprises,” as the show catches up on what she has been doing during the years since audiences last saw her. This has led to fan speculation about potential developments in her personal life, including the possibility of rekindling a relationship with Luke Cage or even having a child.
Other allies from the first season are expected to return, including Matt’s current law partner Kirsten McDuffie and the vigilante Frank Castle / The Punisher, played by Jon Bernthal. A major challenge for Matt will be uniting these strong-willed and often morally disparate individuals into a cohesive front.
Winderbaum highlighted this as a key theme: “It’s one thing for like a bunch of people to point in Kingpin’s direction and say, ‘That guy’s bad,’ but it’s another thing to get everybody on the same page. It’s really fun to watch him try to do that.”
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What This Means For The Season’s Story
The confirmation of Karen’s role provides clear direction for Daredevil: Born Again Season 2. The season will likely blend street-level action with a character-driven story about rebuilding trust and forming a family of choice against a common enemy. With Fisk controlling the apparatus of the state, Matt and Karen’s partnership will be the emotional core of a rebellion that operates from the shadows.
Marvel Studios has also confirmed that the season will consist of eight episodes, one fewer than the first season. Reports based on insider information suggest the new season will aim for a more focused narrative with “no filler episodes,” addressing a common criticism of the first season’s middle chapters. The same reports also indicate the production will use less CGI and feature improved lighting compared to Season 1.
The series has already been renewed for a third season, currently scheduled for release in March 2027. Rumors suggest that season may feature the return of Élodie Yung as Elektra, though this has not been officially confirmed by Marvel.
Also Read: Industry Creators Talk How Season 4 Is a “Completely Different Show” from Earlier Seasons
