A key moment in the recently released first season finale of Daredevil: Born Again has fans talking. After a brutal war with Wilson Fisk, now the Mayor of New York, Matt Murdock realizes he cannot fight the Kingpin’s regime alone. In a decisive scene, he declares he will need an “army” to take Fisk down. This statement does more than set up the plot for Season 2; it opens the door for other street-level heroes to join the fight. One character positioned for a breakout role is Jacques “Jack” Duquesne, also known as the Swordsman.
Played by Tony Dalton, the Swordsman first appeared in the Hawkeye series as a charismatic, wealthy acquaintance of Kate Bishop’s mother. Daredevil: Born Again brought him back, showing a new side to the character. He was briefly seen as a political rival to Mayor Fisk before ending the season imprisoned in one of Fisk’s special facilities for captured vigilantes. With Daredevil now planning to free those prisoners, the Swordsman’s path to becoming a key member of “Daredevil’s Army” seems clear.
Who Is the Swordsman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
For audiences who mainly know him from Hawkeye, Jack Duquesne might have seemed like just a charming, sword-collecting socialite. However, Daredevil: Born Again confirmed there is much more to him. A brief but telling scene in the show featured a viral phone video. In it, Duquesne is seen expertly using a sword to stop criminals in a daylight confrontation. This was the MCU’s first direct hint at his vigilante identity.
The character’s history in the comics is tied to Clint Barton/Hawkeye’s, but the show jettisoned that and didn’t really get into Duquesne’s vigilante persona, Swordsman. That’s no longer the case, however, as Born Again has brought back Duquesne, and also seemingly given us Swordsman as well.
This move reimagines the character. In Marvel comics, the Swordsman has often been an antagonist or a flawed hero. The MCU version, particularly through Tony Dalton’s performance, leans into a more heroic and charismatic interpretation. His established hatred for Wilson Fisk, combined with his combat skills and resources, makes him a natural ally for Matt Murdock’s cause.
How Season 2 Could Launch the Swordsman Into Action
The final shot of the Born Again Season 2 teaser provides a major clue. It shows Daredevil standing in the same prison facility, but the cells around him are empty. This strongly suggests that breaking these vigilantes out will be a primary mission early in the new season. Freeing the Swordsman would not only give Daredevil a powerful fighter on his side but also someone with deep connections in New York’s elite circles, offering a unique advantage against Fisk’s political machine.
The show’s TV-MA rating is another important factor. It allows for the gritty, violent street-level action that defines this corner of the MCU. For a character who uses a sword as his primary weapon, this rating means the action can be realistic and impactful, showcasing his skills without restraint. The Swordsman’s fighting style would add a distinct and visually dynamic element to the team’s battles.
The Bigger Picture: A Street-Level Marvel Universe
The setup for the Swordsman is part of a larger strategy for Marvel’s street-level stories. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio have returned to lead a narrative that is firmly grounded in the darker, more complex streets of New York. The goal is to build an interconnected world of heroes who deal with local threats, a contrast to the cosmic scale of the Avengers’ adventures.
“It’s really like the comics where you would pick up an issue of Daredevil and you want to stay in a grounded, street-based ecosystem,” said Brad Winderbaum, Head of Television, Streaming, and Animation at Marvel Studios.
This groundwork is fueling widespread rumors of a future street-level crossover film. While not officially confirmed, reports suggest Marvel is developing a movie that would unite Spider-Man, Daredevil, the Punisher, and other street-level heroes against a common threat. Such a project would likely adapt elements from the Devil’s Reign comic storyline, where Kingpin targets all superheroes in New York. The Swordsman, if his role expands in Born Again, could easily transition into this larger ensemble.
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What This Means for the Future of the MCU
The focus on characters like the Swordsman shows Marvel’s commitment to deepening its bench of heroes. Tony Dalton’s rising popularity, especially following his role in Better Call Saul, makes the Swordsman a character with significant potential. A successful arc in Daredevil: Born Again could lead to more appearances, perhaps even a solo project down the line.
Furthermore, his introduction helps solve a practical problem for Daredevil. With Mayor Fisk’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force hunting down heroes, Matt Murdock needs allies who are already operating in the shadows. The Swordsman, who was active enough to be captured, fits that description perfectly. His journey from a guest star in Hawkeye to a potential linchpin in Daredevil’s war represents the kind of long-term character building that fans appreciate.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on March 27, 2026, on Disney+. The season will continue the story of Matt Murdock’s fight against Mayor Wilson Fisk and his task force.
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