Daredevil: Born Againhas finally perfected a process thatMarvel Studiospromised they would overhaul.Daredevil: Born Againrevived the critically acclaimedDaredevilseries from Netflix. Moving the series to Disney+ caused some concern that the quality could falter, a common complaint with Marvel’s television series. However,Daredevil: Born Againseason 1 was truly compelling, and in the process delivered on a promise Marvel made some years ago.
When Marvel Studios launched its Disney+ shows, the expectations were sky-high – particularly after the triumph of the Netflix shows. Viewers imagined a seamless extension ofthe MCU timelinewith the same quality and connectivity that had defined the films. To an extent, Marvel delivered some visually polished series. However, beneath the surface, many of these shows felt narratively disjointed, tonally inconsistent, and unsure of what kind of story they were telling.
Marvel Has Struggled To Make Good TV Shows Since Expanding To Disney+
Marvel’s TV Shows Have Been A Mixed Bag
Despite early enthusiasm, Marvel’s Disney+ output has been uneven.WandaVisioncaptivated audiences with its genre-hopping creativity and emotional depth, andLokiwon praise for its aesthetics and strong character work. However, many others –Secret Invasion,The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,She-Hulk–suffered from significant pacing issues, strange tonal shifts, or endings that felt rushedand incomplete.
Even the best of the bunch often felt like they were caught between two storytelling models. Blinded by their previous success in cinema, the MCU replicated its process on the small screen. The result was series thatlooked great but often lacked the foundational structureto justify a multi-episode structure. The studio had learned a painful but necessary lesson: trying to reverse-engineer television out of movie production methods just didn’t work. In response, Marvel promised it would reassess its process and shift towards “proper” television.
Daredevil: Born Again’s Overhaul Coincided With A Change In How Marvel Makes TV
Daredevil: Born Again Changed Direction During Production
In late 2023, reports surfaced that Marvel was internally rethinking its approach to Disney+ storytelling. That meant no more shooting without a locked script; no more patching things together in the edit, and crucially, it meant embracing showrunners – veteran creatives whoknow how to pace a story week-to-week.Daredevil: Born Againrepresents a major turning point in this overhaul.
Daredevil: Born Againwas originally in production under Marvel’s old model – until studio execs paused everything, scrapped most of what had been filmed, andreassembled the series under a new creative leadership. This time, Marvel did something radical (by Hollywood standards): they hired a proper showrunner.
Dario Scardapane, best known forThe PunisherandTom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, came on board to oversee the series as its first true showrunner under the Marvel Studios banner. Unlike previous Marvel series that had a “head writer” and directors functioning like short-term guests,Born Againwasbuilt from the ground up as a real television series.It wasn’t just about coordinating action scenes – it was about character arcs, thematic development, and long-term narrative planning.
The creative team also included experienced TV directors who knew how to build suspense and emotional payoff over time, not just from scene to scene. While Marvel has retroactively applied the “showrunner” title to Jac Schaeffer forAgatha All Along,the process really started here.Born Againis the pilot project for a new Marvel methodology, and its success is proof that the new model works.
Daredevil: Born Again’s Finale Delivers On Marvel’s Promise That It’s Proper TV
Daredevil: Born Again Has Fulfilled Marvel’s New TV Remit
The final two episodes ofDaredevil: Born Again(episodes 8 and 9) feel like television in all the best ways. They’re confident, cohesive, and character-driven. Episode 8 builds tension through smart dialogue and interpersonal stakes, while episode 9 deliversa satisfying climax that balances brutal action with real emotional payoff. Both episodes are part of a clearly mapped-out arc that doesn’t just wrap up a season – it sets the stage for the second half of a larger story that has room to unfold naturally over time.
There’s a sense of rhythm and pacing that has been absent from most Marvel shows until now. Moments are allowed to breathe. Plot twists are earned rather than dropped. It’s clear that the showrunner and directorsunderstand the episodic format and how to structure episodes with satisfying beginnings, middles, and ends, even within an ongoing storyline.Daredevil: Born Againfeels like it was made by people who love television – and understand how to use the medium to tell grounded, serialized stories. That’s not just refreshing; it’s exactly what Marvel needed to prove it can still surprise its audience.
