The Punisher Netflix Cast, Release Date

It came as no surprise to those who streamed Netflix’s Daredevil Season 2 that Jon Bernthal’s scene-stealing role as tortured vigilante Frank Castle, better known as The Punisher, was a Trojan Horse spinoff star in the making. Now, the heavy-gun-toting urban executioner of criminals takes the spotlight in Netflix’s The Punisher.

While the character we saw in Daredevil Season 2 was already on a dark path of indiscriminate vengeance against New York’s seedy criminal elements in the aftermath of the mysterious murder of his family, Bernthal himself has implied that the character’s proper evolution into the Punisher that Marvel fans know and love is far from complete. Thus, the possibility of seeing this process unfold in The Punisher is exciting.

And with the series currently filming in New York City, it's rapidly adding to its cast.

The Punisher Release Date

Marvel has confirmed that we'll get The Punisher in 2017. No other details are available at the moment, but with Iron Fist arriving in March, we'll probably get the Punisher some time in the fall, similar to where Jessica Jones or Luke Cage were released.

The Punisher Cast

Daredevil's Deborah Ann Woll will co-star with Jon Bernthal. Considering the bond that Frank Castle and Karen Page had on Daredevil season 2, this should make for some fun storytelling.

"We couldn't have asked for a more talented group of actors to round out the cast of Marvel's The Punisher," said Executive Producer and showrunner Steve Lightfoot in a statement. "It's a thrill to watch them each bring their characters to life with such layered, nuanced performances.”

"Marvel TV is very proud of the cast of The Punisher," said Executive Producer Jeph Loeb, "Each actors brings a special promise who surround Jon Bernthal's exceptional performance."

Ben Barnes as "Billy Russo": While his involvement in The Punisher was previously reported along with rumors that he might play Bobby Saint, Marvel now confirms that Barnes will portray the comic-book-crucial role of Billy Russo. The description of Barnes’s version of Russo states that he will be “Frank’s Castle’s best friend from his days in the Special Forces.” Adding that, “He runs a successful private military corporation called “Anvil.”’

However (and that’s a big “however,”) Marvel Comics fans know that a very ugly destiny is attached to the name Billy Russo. By way of an eventual light shined on his more sinister side (connected to Frank Castle’s tragedy,) and a fateful incident involving a glass pane, Russo ends up with a scarred visage that earns him the name of the iconic Punisher villain Jigsaw! The character was played by Dominic West in the notorious 2008 film Punisher: War Zone.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as "Micro": The actor with notable television runs on Girls, The Last Ship and Damages will make his way to the show as a character named Micro, described as “a former NSA analyst whose secrets may be of great value to Frank Castle and everyone around them.”

“Micro” seems to be the MCU television realization of Marvel Comics character David Linus “Microchip” Lieberman. Microchip has been a perennial clandestine helper to Frank Castle’s brutal crimefighting efforts, providing computer hacking skills and regularly supplying high-tech home-brewed weaponry. – In essence, look for Micro to become The Punisher’s Q.

Amber Rose Revah as "Dinah Madani": The exquisite London-born actress seen in the miniseries Indian Summers and as Mary Magdalene in 2014’s Son of God, will portray a character named Dinah Madani. The character is described as “a highly-trained sophisticated Homeland Security agent who is vexed by the Punisher.” While Dinah Madani does not appear to be the character product of any comic book influence, it does seem like she’s being fit to play the part of a federal pursuer of the media-maligned vigilante Frank Castle, with whom reluctant respect might bloom.

Daniel Webber (11.22.63) is Lewis Walcott, "a young veteran who has had a difficult time re-assimilating into Civilian Society."

Jason R. Moore (A Lonely Place for Dying) is Curtis Hoyle, "a friend of Frank Castle’s and one of the few people who knows he is alive."

Paul Schulze (Nurse Jackie) is Rawlins, "a high-ranking member of the CIA whose operations in Afghanistan intersect with Frank Castle." 

Jaime Ray Newman (Bates Motel) is Sarah Lieberman, Micro’s wife, "whose marriage has made her life far more complicated."

Michael Nathanson (The Knick, Wolf of Wall Street) is Sam Stein, "a Homeland agent who is challenged by his partnership with Dinah."

The Punisher Netflix Story

A rather basic synopsis briefly surfaced on the Netflix app:

After the murder of his family, Frank Castle is both haunted and hunted. In the criminal underworld, he'll become known as The Punisher.

It's not much.

The Punisher Netflix Series Details

This is the first new series created since the initial collaboration between Marvel and Netflix was announced. The Punisher series joins Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage,Iron Fist, and Defenders. Writer/producer Steve Lightfoot (Hannibal) has been tapped as showrunner of the new series. He will also write the first two episodes.

“For me, the complexity and unpredictability of Frank Castle make him an incredibly compelling character and I couldn’t be more excited to dive into his world,” said Lightfoot. “After watching Jon’s performance in Marvel’s Daredevil I could not be more excited to be working with him to further develop and progress the story of this anti-hero in a show of his own.”

“We want to thank the fans who are clamoring for more of Jon’s stunning and powerful performance as Frank Castle from Marvel’s Daredevil,” said Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb. “Now combined with Showrunner Steve Lightfoot’s compelling writing, we’re thrilled to bring Marvel’s The Punisher to Netflix.”

Jon Bernthal was always down to explore the character more, though, telling Complexthat"For me, it's not a question of what they want to do with a character, it's more, how are they going to do it, and who's going to be the ones to do it. This character is in my bones now, he's in my blood. If they want to go forward in any way, for me it's just really going to be about making sure we do it in a way that's raw and intense. I want to push the envelope. I wanna alienate more of the audience and try to bring them back."

We'll update this with more information as it becomes available.

The Punisher Trailer

It's not really a trailer, but check out the promo Netflix used to announce the series.

The Punisher is back. Locked and loaded.https://t.co/nGKCa2taEV

— Netflix US (@netflix) April 29, 2016

A version of this article first appeared in January of 2016. It has been updated with new information since then.