Jon Bernthal Didn’t Want to Return as The Punisher Without Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page
Jon Bernthal and Deborah Ann Woll will reunite in Daredevil: Born Again, the upcoming series that serves as a follow-up to Daredevil and its spinoffs. The reunion made the return perfect for Bernthal, who didn’t feel that Frank Castle‘s return would make much sense without Karen Page.
Currently in development, Daredevil: Born Again will bring back Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio to reprise their respective roles as Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. Following the announcement that the two actors would return, it was later revealed that both Bernthal and Woll would be among the returning cast members of the original series. In a new chat between the two actors for Bernthal’s Real Ones podcast, the Punisher actor explained how he didn’t feel motivated to return for Daredevil: Born Again without Woll’s presence, given Frank’s bond with Karen.

New Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Set Photos Show Matt Murdock Reuniting With Karen Page


Published Jun 22, 2025
An avid comic book fan since she first read “Stan Lee’s Soapbox,” Allison Hambrick is your friendly neighborhood generalist writer. Journalism, editing, media production, copywriting—she does it all. From her very first blog post about Smallville as a primary schooler, Allison developed a passion for superheroes and the entertainment industry at large.
Majoring in writing and film at SCAD, Allison put her skills to work writing, editing, podcasting, and more. Currently, she moonlights as an editor at the ASHRAE Journal by day and Screen Rant by night. Allison also previously worked for Warner Bros. Entertainment and for Disney.
Through her writing, she hopes to inspire, to entertain, and to empower others to be the best versions of themselves, and her mission in life is to make Stan proud. In her free time, she enjoys reading, video game design, traveling, and spending time outside with her dogs, Loki and Elphaba. Allison is fluent in movie quotes, and her favorite film is Superman II.
Daredevil: Born Again made the controversial creative choice of sidelining Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) for its first season. Serving as a continuation of Netflix’s Daredevil, the series brought back Woll as well as fellow series veterans Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Elden Henson, and Jon Bernthal. The initial vision for Daredevil: Born Again only included Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil and D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin, but the series received a substantial creative overhaul to shift it from a reboot to a continuation. Because of these changes, its first season was split into two.
Both Woll and Henson have little screen time due to being late additions to the cast. From the start, Henson’s character, Foggy, was planned to die as an inciting incident for how Matt has changed since Netflix’s Daredevil. Because of Foggy’s death, Karen and Matt become estranged. She later re-enters the season alongside Bernthal’s Punisher, and her story is poised to continue onscreen moving forward.
Filming for Daredevil: Born Again season two began in February and is expected to wrap in July. Numerous set leaks have shown various cast members reprising their roles, including Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones. Ritter played Jessica in her solo series and alongside Cox in the crossover series The Defenders. Another star spotted was Woll. Recently shared images from the set show Karen and Matt reuniting. The scene is a daytime shot of the two walking down the street.
What The New Daredevil Set Photos Mean For Matt Murdock And Karen Page
As for how these photos may set up the plot of Daredevil: Born Again season two, little can be gleaned from these images as they are in civilian clothes walking down the street. However, previously leaked pictures from the set showed Karen in a thick red wig and sunglasses, indicating she was undercover. Karen and Matt wearing regular clothing in broad daylight implies that they are no longer meeting covertly.
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Karen Page Returns (And Gets A Very Different Look) While Matt Murdock Goes Undercover In Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Set Photos
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 set photos confirm that Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page will return, sporting a new look that may have a deep meaning.
Mar 19, 2025
Given that it was speculated that Matt and Karen were hiding from Fisk’s antivigilante taskforce, this could mean Fisk is no longer in the same position of power or his plan has been set back, and this scene is towards the end of the season. That aside, Woll being on set with Cox could be teeing her up for a more substantial role in season two, especially given that Matt seems to harbor lingering romantic feelings for Karen.
Our Take On The New Daredevil Set Photos Of Matt Murdock And Karen Page
The most likely takeaway from these set images is that Karen will have a reconciliation with Matt following whatever resolution the Fisk antivigilante storyline reaches.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2- Predicting Every Member Of Daredevil’s Army
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What remains to be seen is whether Matt’s fledgling relationship with Heather Glenn will survive or if he and Karen will rediscover their feelings. Nonetheless, Woll’s return in Daredevil: Born Again season 2 is promising.
Deborah “Debbie” Marie Rice
September 18, 1955 – April 6, 2025

IN THE CARE OF
James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc.
Deborah “Debbie” Marie Rice, 69, of Harrisburg, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital. Born on September 18, 1955, in Cleveland, OH, she was the daughter of the late James and Marie Powell. Debbie was the beloved wife of Richard E. Rice, with whom she shared 35 loving years of marriage.
A high school graduate, she spent her professional life in the accounting field, where her sharp mind, dedication, and attention to detail made her an invaluable asset to those she worked with. A woman of quiet strength and warmth, Debbie had a deep love for reading, often getting lost in the pages of a good book and finishing novels within days of starting. She also had a sense of adventure and a passion for discovery, enjoying cross-country travels that allowed her to explore new places and make lasting memories with those she loved.
Debbie will be remembered for her intelligence, her gentle and kind spirit, and her unwavering devotion to her family. Her presence brought light and calm to every room, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who had the joy of knowing her.
In addition to her husband Richard, she leaves behind a brother, Jimmy; 3 sisters, Tammy, Donna, and Sharon; a sister-in-law, Barbara (and husband Frank); a brother-in-law, Jim (and wife Karen); and many nieces; nephews; and extended family.
A service for Debbie will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025 beginning at 9:30 AM at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, Pennsylvania 19056. She will be laid to rest at 11:00 AM at Emilie United Methodist Church Cemetery, 7300 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA 19055.
Because Debbie and Rich lived in many places across the country over the years, Debbie wouldn’t want anyone to feel obligated to travel a long distance. At the same time, she wouldn’t want anyone to feel bad for not being able to attend. If you’re unable to join us in person, we warmly invite you to leave a message or condolence on this webpage for the family to read and cherish.


