Jon Bernthal on his ‘toe dip’ Daredevil return and ‘no-holds-barred’ Punisher in TV special (exclusive) in 2025.
Jon Bernthal on His ‘Toe Dip’ Daredevil Return and ‘No-Holds-Barred’ Punisher in TV Special (Exclusive).
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Jon Bernthal, known for his intense and gripping portrayal of Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, is set to make a thrilling return to the Marvel universe. With his upcoming appearance in Daredevil: Born Again and a dedicated TV special centered on the no-holds-barred nature of his character, Bernthal is once again proving why he is the definitive Punisher for many fans. In this exclusive deep dive, the actor discusses his approach to stepping back into Castle’s blood-soaked shoes, his brief ‘toe dip’ in Daredevil, and what fans can expect from his most unfiltered and brutal portrayal of the antihero yet.
A Long-Awaited Return to the MCU Jon Bernthal
Bernthal first captivated audiences as The Punisher in Netflix’s Daredevil Season 2 before earning his own spinoff series, The Punisher, which ran for two critically acclaimed seasons. Following the conclusion of the Netflix-Marvel era, fans were left wondering if Bernthal’s take on Castle would ever return. That question was finally answered when Marvel Studios confirmed his reprisal in Daredevil: Born Again.
Speaking about his re-entry into the role, Bernthal describes his return to Daredevil as a ‘toe dip’—a measured but meaningful step back into the violent world of Frank Castle. “It’s like stepping into an old pair of boots,” Bernthal says. “It’s familiar, but the terrain has changed. I wanted to make sure that Frank Castle’s return was done right.”
The Evolution of Frank Castle Jon Bernthal
Throughout his previous outings, The Punisher has been portrayed as a broken man seeking vengeance, a soldier grappling with personal demons, and a ruthless enforcer of justice. According to Bernthal, this new chapter in the MCU will push the character to even greater depths.
“Frank is a character who exists in a world of absolute brutality, and that’s not something you water down,” Bernthal explains. “If you try to sanitize him, you take away what makes him who he is. What we’re doing now is about honoring the depth of his pain, his rage, and his moral code, as twisted as it might be.”
With Marvel’s TV projects moving under the Disney+ banner, many fans were concerned that the mature, violent nature of The Punisher’s story might be softened. However, Bernthal reassures audiences that this version remains true to the character’s ethos. “If I felt they weren’t doing justice to Frank Castle, I wouldn’t be here,” he affirms.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ and Frank Castle’s Role Jon Bernthal
While Daredevil: Born Again primarily focuses on Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock, Bernthal’s inclusion raises questions about how The Punisher fits into the narrative. Though he remains tight-lipped about plot specifics, he teases that Castle’s presence will be impactful and far from a simple cameo.
“There’s history between Matt and Frank that’s undeniable,” Bernthal says. “Their dynamic is one of the most compelling in the Marvel universe—two men who see justice through completely different lenses. It’s tense, it’s volatile, and it’s always going to be electric when they share the screen.”
The phrase ‘toe dip’ suggests that while The Punisher’s role in Daredevil may be limited, it serves as a launching pad for a larger presence in the MCU moving forward.
The ‘No-Holds-Barred’ Punisher TV Special Jon Bernthal
Perhaps even more exciting for fans is the upcoming TV special that will focus solely on Frank Castle. This one-off event is designed to showcase the raw, unfiltered brutality of The Punisher in a way that honors his comic book origins.
Bernthal describes the special as an opportunity to take Castle to new extremes. “This is the version of The Punisher that fans have been waiting for. It’s unflinching. It’s dark. It’s Frank Castle unleashed.”
Marvel Studios is taking a unique approach with this special, blending elements of psychological drama, action-packed sequences, and character-driven storytelling. Unlike traditional episodic series, this standalone format allows for a hyper-focused narrative that doesn’t hold back.
“We’re leaning into the darkness of Frank’s world,” Bernthal says. “You’ll see his pain, his mission, and his wrath in a way that is absolutely unapologetic.”
Bringing Realism to the Role Jon Bernthal
Bernthal is widely regarded as one of the most committed actors in the action genre, known for immersing himself fully in his characters. His dedication to authenticity has become a hallmark of his portrayal of Castle, and this new iteration is no different.
The actor underwent intensive physical training and combat preparation to ensure that Castle’s fight scenes are as realistic as possible. “The way Frank moves, fights, and thinks—it all comes from a place of tactical realism,” Bernthal notes. “Everything he does has purpose, and I’ve worked closely with military advisors and combat specialists to make sure that’s reflected on screen.”
Beyond the physicality, Bernthal has also dived deep into the psychology of the character. “Frank Castle is a man defined by grief and rage,” he says. “Every action he takes is driven by that internal struggle. It’s not just about shooting guns and throwing punches—there’s a real emotional weight to everything he does.”
Fan Expectations and The Future of The Punisher Jon Bernthal
With the MCU expanding in new directions, fans are eager to see where The Punisher fits into the larger narrative. Will he get another solo series? Could he eventually cross paths with other major Marvel characters like Spider-Man or Deadpool?
While Bernthal remains cryptic about long-term plans, he does express excitement about the possibilities. “Frank Castle is a character that exists on the fringes of the Marvel universe, but his impact is undeniable,” he says. “There are so many stories left to tell, and I’m just grateful to be the one bringing him to life.”
Marvel Studios’ willingness to embrace darker, mature-themed storytelling opens the door for The Punisher to thrive in a way that remains faithful to his roots. Whether it’s through limited series, film appearances, or other TV specials, Bernthal’s Punisher seems poised for an extended run in the MCU.
Final Thoughts
Jon Bernthal’s return as The Punisher is one of the most highly anticipated Marvel revivals, and with good reason. His raw, uncompromising portrayal of Frank Castle has already cemented itself as one of the most iconic performances in the genre. Now, with Daredevil: Born Again and a no-holds-barred TV special on the horizon, Bernthal is taking the character to even greater heights.
Fans can expect a version of The Punisher that is truer than ever to his comic book origins—brutal, relentless, and deeply compelling. As Bernthal himself puts it, “Frank Castle doesn’t pull punches, and neither do we.”
The Marvel universe is about to get a whole lot darker, and with Bernthal back in the driver’s seat, The Punisher is more than ready to make his mark once again.
