Daredevil Born Again Season 2 is behind us with season 3 due either late this year or early next. As the show stands, Matt Murdock is publicly out as Daredevil and in prison for his crimes, Wilson Fisk is exiled, Bullseye has an exciting new job for the government, Karen Page is free and Foggy Nelson is still dead. Very nearly all of that can change, but right now it’s where we are and it’s been a Hell of a ride.

Next season we know Matt at least starts in prison and the Defenders reunite, with Danny Rand and Luke Cage joining Jessica Jones with full-on screen time. Apparently we also get more villains and at least some elements of classic story ‘The Devil in Cell-Block D’, written by Ed Brubaker. But there are three characters Alasdair Stuart is really excited to see develop, and none of them are Matt or his nemesis.

Karen Page

Deborah Ann Woll has been the show’s secret weapon from the start. She’s evolved from a beloved but controversial character in the comics to a mainstay of the show, whose ethics match Foggy’s and whose ruthlessness matches Matt’s own. This last season she’s taken on far more of a tactical role too, matching some new found physical skills with some rock-solid detective work. All of which is built on her ongoing struggle with her straight-up murder of Wesley, Fisk’s original major domo.

Karen is the last one standing. She needs a friend and she’s looking for a fight. I think she’s going to get both. The Defenders are a logical choice to be her new family, but I’m also curious to see how she works with BB and The New York Bulletin now they seem to be back in the mix.

Interestingly, there’s also the possibility she may be teaming up with another returning face. Elodie Yung is reportedly in New York right now, which is where Season 3 is filming. Yung’s take on Elektra Natchios, the occasionally dead supernatural ninja and love of Matt’s life was very good and it makes sense that Matt being incarcerated would bring her back to the city. Whether she works with or against Karen remains to be seen if that’s the case but I’m guessing with. After all they have a common aim; getting Matt out of prison and a common foe: Lady Muse.

Lady Muse

Margarita Levieva is the other secret weapon of the show. Heather Glenn’s journey across the second season of the show led her to some dark places. Not just aligning with Mayor Fisk and the AVTF but also into the unacknowledged trauma she suffered at the hands of Muse, the serial killer who was the primary villain of the first season.

The tragedy of Heather, a therapist, not being able to find help for her own trauma is one the show seems to be bringing to the fore next year. As it does, judging by behind-the-scenes shots, it’ll also be locking her in as Lady Muse, the next incarnation of the murderous artist. The second season concludes with Heather putting the mask of the man who almost killed her on for the first time and smiling as her world comes into focus. She’s clearly got plans, and those plans seem to involve Karen.

Heather was humiliated by Matt in court, her trauma has been overlooked by everyone, she backed the wrong side and now she’s alone with her monster. The electric confrontation between Karen and Heather hints at a very real, ugly fight brewing between the two women. If that’s the case. Karen is going to need help and so is Heather. The one person she could turn to is the third one on my list.

Buck Cashman

Arty Frushan’s scenes in Born Again Season 2 have all been highlights. His charming, suave killer has glided through the horror, a John Wick-ian fgure of immaculately tailored savagery. The ragged flashback we saw of him this season gives him some welcome context too, as we see that Buck was both an employee and a believer, possibly the only man made better by Fisk’s presence.

But Fisk is gone and Buck killed Daniel Blake on his orders. That scene is easily the hardest moment to sit through in the season, both for Daniel’s pitiful cries and Buck’s clear horror at what he must do. It’s very possible Buck loved him. It’s very possible that Buck will fall back to his old lifestyle to try and deal with his guilt. It won’t work, and when he hits rock bottom, I suspect Heather will either be the ally he needs or the chain that sinks him forever.

 

A tireless ally itching for battle. A murderous victim planning her first masterpiece. A disgraced killer desperate to escape his monsters. These are the people you meet in hell, and these are the people I can’t wait to see in the next season of Born Again.

Daredevil Born Again Seasons 1 and 2 are on Disney Plus now. Read our coverage here