Detective Brett Mahoney is confirmed to rejoin the fight for Hell’s Kitchen, alongside a wave of returning heroes, as Matt Murdock builds a resistance against Mayor Wilson Fisk’s total control.
The second season of Daredevil: Born Again, premiering exclusively on Disney+ on March 4, 2026, will mark a significant homecoming for a central figure in the original Netflix series. Actor Royce Johnson recently confirmed via social media that he is reprising his role as Detective Sergeant Brett Mahoney, the honest and often conflicted NYPD officer from Hell’s Kitchen. His return after being absent from the show’s first season signals the series’ deepening commitment to its roots as Matt Murdock forms a desperate team to fight the city’s new mayor, Wilson Fisk.
What to Expect in the New War for New York
Following the explosive events of the first season, Wilson Fisk has successfully leveraged his political power as mayor to outlaw vigilantes and tighten his grip on the city’s police force. With “all bets off,” Matt Murdock is no longer just a vigilante but a revolutionary, forced to work from the shadows to find a “crack in the armor” of Fisk’s regime. The second season focuses on this brewing resistance, described by producers as having a “palace intrigue-type” feel as allegiances shift and a clandestine war is waged on New York’s streets.
Key players in this fight include a rekindled partnership with Karen Page, who works alongside Matt both day and night, and the formidable addition of Jessica Jones. Krysten Ritter returns as the super-strong private investigator, who, despite her aversion to team-ups, joins Murdock’s cause for deeply personal reasons. According to Marvel Television’s head of streaming Brad Winderbaum, Jones brings a necessary “edginess and lightness” to the dark and dramatic world of Daredevil, often cutting through tension with her signature snark.
“It was surreal but also as if no time had passed,” said Krysten Ritter on returning to the role of Jessica Jones. “I love Charlie so much as a person. I love being with him and acting with him, and I love playing these characters. It felt big and celebratory and larger than life.”
The Full Cast of Returning and New Faces
The ensemble for Season 2 brings back the core of the original series while integrating new allies and adversaries.
Main Returning Cast:
- Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil
- Vincent D’Onofrio as Mayor Wilson Fisk / Kingpin
- Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page
- Wilson Bethel as Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter / Bullseye
- Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson
- Ayelet Zurer as Vanessa Fisk
- Tony Dalton as Jack Duquesne / Swordsman
Key New and Returning Additions for Season 2:
- Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones
- Royce Johnson as Detective Sergeant Brett Mahoney
- Matthew Lillard as Mr. Charles, a powerful antagonist for Fisk
- Lili Taylor as Governor Marge McCaffrey, a political opponent to Fisk
A significant point of fan discussion continues to be the potential return of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / The Punisher. While a cameo in Season 2 has been hinted at through behind-the-scenes photos, official reports on his involvement remain conflicting. Bernthal is confirmed to return in a Punisher Special Presentation expected to bridge the gap between Born Again and the July 2026 film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
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Behind the Scenes: A More Confident Production
The return of foundational characters like Brett Mahoney reflects the show’s clearer creative direction following a high-profile overhaul of its first season. The second season is described by showrunner Dario Scardapane as a “better-oiled machine,” consisting of eight episodes instead of the initially planned eighteen. The creative team, including lead directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, has stated the new season will more directly build upon the history and tone of the beloved Netflix series.
With the series already renewed for a third season and Marvel planning for it to be an “annual release every March,” the stage is set for an expanding street-level saga within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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