Having been the standout star of Daredevil Season 2, we’ve been excited about the prospect of a Punisher series starring Jon Bernthal in the title role ever since it was confirmed. The films have never really done Frank Castle justice (although we’ll admit to having a massive spot for Punisher: War Zone), so it’s nice to seem him get the space the character clearly needs – after all, it’s worked for Matt Murdock, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage so far.
Now, things seem to be picking up, as three new cast members have been officially confirmed for the first season (at least, what will hopefully be the first).
First up is Ben Barnes. Already basically confirmed in the show, according to Marvel.com he will play Billy Russo, “Frank’s Castle’s best friend from his days in the Special Forces”, who runs a successful private military corporation called Anvil. Since this is also the identity of comics foe Jigsaw, we can assume that a), his face will be cut up at some point, and b) they won’t stay friends for long.
Another character from the comics to be confirmed for the show is Micro, played by Girls‘ Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “a former NSA analyst whose secrets may be of great value to Frank Castle and everyone around them.” Played by Wayne Knight in Punisher: War Zone, is is basically the Q to Castle’s Bond.
Finally, Amber Rose Revah (What Remains, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood) is also on board. Judging by her character description (“a highly-trained sophisticated Homeland Security agent who is vexed by the Punisher”), she sounds like a frenemy very much in the Murdock was to Castle in Season 2 of Daredevil.
Steve Lightfoot is serving as showrunner and executive producer, with Jim Chory also executive producing alongside Jeph Loeb .
The Punisher will air on Netflix in 2017. You can download The 25 Greatest Marvel Comics digital edition from GreatDigitalMags.com now. For more news about the biggest movies, pick up the new issue of SciFiNow.
