Born Again Wasted One Key Marvel Villain, But I’m Convinced Season 2 Can Redeem Them

Marvel Studios has the perfect opportunity to redeem one minor villain in Daredevil: Born Again season 2 after he made a pretty lackluster MCU debut. Daredevil: Born Again season 1 marked the return of some iconic villains from Netflix’s original Daredevil series, including Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin and Benjamin Poindexter’s Bullseye. However, the revival series also introduced some exciting new Daredevil villains in the MCU, but not every new addition to Daredevil: Born Again has actually been well-received among fans of the Man Without Fear.

Of course, Daredevil’s archememy is still Vincent D’Onofrio’s formidable crime lord and new Mayor of New York City, Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin. Daredevil: Born Again season 1 ended with Fisk enacting his “Safer Streets” initiative, putting New York under martial law and outlawing vigilantism in the city, which gave even more control and influence to Kingpin’s new Anti-Vigilante Task Force. This team of corrupt and aggressive NYPD officers includes some notable villains from Daredevil’s history in Marvel Comics, but one of them hasn’t had the MCU debut we hoped he would.

Cole North’s MCU Debut Received Criticism In Daredevil: Born Again Season 1

Jeremy Isaiah Earl Plays Sergeant Cole North In Daredevil: Born Again

Following his Marvel Comics debut in 2019’s Daredevil (Vol. 6) #1, Cole North made his first appearance in the MCU in Daredevil: Born Again episode 6, “Excessive Force.” He was introduced as an extremist NYPD Sergeant who idolized Frank Castle’s Punisher, and was later revealed to be the cop who murdered Hector Ayala’s White Tiger following his acquittal in court. This act made him a clear candidate for Kingpin’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force, so Daredevil: Born Again introduced Cole North as a bona fide villain, which has received some criticism.

Related

Okay Marvel, I Think I Know Which Daredevil: Born Again Character Is Being Set Up As The Punisher Spinoff’s Villain

I think I’ve figured out which Dardevil: Born Again character would be the perfect rival for Frank Castle in the upcoming Punisher MCU special.

It does make sense that Cole North has debuted in the MCU as a villain, as the same was done in Marvel Comics. In the comics, North was a Chicago police officer who even fought against corrupt cops, but accidentally shot and killed a 16-year-old boy while chasing a drug dealer, so was transferred to New York. There, he became a recurring enemy of Daredevil and the Punisher, showing a clear disdain toward vigilantes. However, Cole North’s career as an antagonist to Daredevil and New York’s other heroes didn’t last long, which gives us hope for his MCU future.

Marvel Comics Redeemed Cole North & The MCU Can Do The Same

Cole North Could Become An Ally In Daredevil: Born Again Season 2

While Cole North’s debut as a bona fide villain has received some criticism, the fact that the character was actually redeemed in Marvel Comics means the same can be done in the MCU. The last time we saw Cole North in Daredevil: Born Again was during the AVTF’s fight against Daredevil and the Punisher in Matt Murdock’s apartment, which subsequently blew up with North inside it. However, the lengths Daredevil went to to spare North’s life prior to this explosion suggests moves may have been made to protect him, which may allow him to return in Daredevil: Born Again season 2.

In Marvel Comics, Cole North began as an adversary to Daredevil, but his allegiances started to change after a conversation with Spider-Man, whom he’d been tasked with bringing down by Mayor Wilson Fisk. North ended up becoming a staunch ally to Daredevil, and even started a new law firm with Foggy Nelson, so Marvel Studios has the perfect opportunity to redeem Jeremy Isaiah Earl’s version of the character. The fact that Cole North has been introduced as such a strong villain will make his possible redemption arc and eventual allying with Daredevil even more satisfying.

Cole North Could Become Even More Important In Daredevil: Born Again Season 2

Kingpin’s Anti-Vigilante Task Force Will Have A Key Role In Daredevil: Born Again Season 2

Daredevil is building an army ahead of his battle against Kingpin and the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, and it would be incredibly exciting and satisfying to see one core member of Wilson Fisk’s corrupt organization become a member of the Man Without Fear’s team. Redeeming Cole North will give Daredevil a man on the inside of Fisk’s operation, so he could receive information about everything going on in the Red Hook facility, and perhaps even have access to superpowered vigilante prisoners. Cole North could become one of Matt Murdock’s most important allies in Daredevil: Born Again season 2.

It would be great to see Jeremy Isaiah Earl’s talents stretched further than just being a mindless soldier for Mayor Wilson Fisk. Cole North marks Earl’s first major role on-screen, having only played bit-roles previously, and North could see the actor become a long-running staple of the MCU’s street-level stories, as long as a redemption arc actually does take place. Daredevil: Born Again season 2 needs to present some speed-bumps and pitfalls for Wilson Fisk, despite seemingly gaining complete control over New York, and redeeming Cole North would be a great obstacle for Kingpin.

Daredevil: Born Again

9/10

Release Date

March 4, 2025

Showrunner

Chris Ord

Directors

Michael Cuesta, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Jeffrey Nachmanoff

Writers

Chris Ord

Upcoming MCU Movies