After the re-introduction of two key players from Marvel's Netflix shows into the MCU, with Kingpin causing havoc in Disney+'s Hawkeye and Matt Murdock making a surprise appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home, it seems there is no better time to revisit the best of the complex characters that contributed to the success of their original shows.
The Netflix MCU was massive - including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders - and it featured famed heroes and iconic antagonists, as well as the supporting casts who fleshed out their worlds. Marvel's Netflix shows were largely driven by their characters, making for deeply personal stories that still stand out when set against the wider picture of the MCU.
Foggy Nelson
Longtime best friend, fellow lawyer, and business partner to Matt Murdock, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson was an integral part of Daredevil from its very first episode, providing insight into Matt's life and past outside of his outings as the masked hero.
Foggy's intelligence made him a great partner for Matt, and his humor often acted as a needed counter to Daredevil's more serious tone. In later seasons, his steadfast ideals when confronted with Matt's vigilantism made for a compelling storyline and showed the impact Matt's nighttime profession had on those around him.
Claire Temple
Claire Temple was first introduced in Daredevil, but went on to make appearances in all of Marvel's Netflix shows except The Punisher, serving to connect the superhero characters to one another prior to their team outing in The Defenders while also serving as a reminder of their limitations when her profession as a nurse meant she often ended up tending to their injuries.
Beyond this, Claire proved that superpowers aren't the most crucial characteristic of a hero, consistently helping those in need in her community. As a strong candidate for other Daredevil characters that should join the MCU, Claire's skillset is one that could be easily transferred to other Marvel stories.
Colleen Wing
Colleen Wing first appears in Iron Fist as the series' female lead opposite Danny Rand. A martial arts expert and member of the Hand, Colleen is strongly independent and determined to do the right thing. In Iron Fist's second season, upon gaining Chi powers, she was able to channel the energy to great effect, eventually using it in tandem with her katana.
Colleen had a great impact on the Iron Fist story irrespective of her relationship with Danny, from her conflicting loyalties to the Hand after her history with them to her budding friendship with Misty Knight. As a hero in her own right, Colleen's steadfast motivations made her a character to root for in the chaotic factions of NYC.
Karen Page
Initially introduced to Daredevil at the show's inception as a wronged client who needed help, Karen Page quickly grew to be an essential part of the series' story and beyond, also playing a key role in The Punisher. Alongside Matt and Foggy, Karen's determination to see justice done propelled the series' story, though it often landed her in unsavory situations.
Karen's talent as a journalist, coupled with her loyalty to those closest to her, made her a proactive character, often leading her to seek out answers rather than wait for information to come to her. Though the traumatic experiences she endured over the course of the show made her more of a pragmatist, she never lost her central ideals.
Frank Castle
Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, joined Marvel's Netflix shows in Daredevil's second season as an adversary to Matt, before he debuted as the titular antihero of his own show, The Punisher. Frank's strict mission and need for revenge guided most of his early on-screen actions, but later explorations of his trauma brought new depth to the character.
Though there are plenty of reasons why Bernthal should return as the Punisher in the MCU, his Netflix show appearances took the character through a satisfactory arc, unveiling the multifaceted person beneath his brutality and rage.
Elektra Natchios
A classic comic book love interest and foe to Matt Murdock, Elektra Natchios debuted in Daredevil's second season, later becoming central to the plot of The Defenders. An assassin with ties to Matt's past, Elektra's introduction to the series showed an alternative path Matt could take.
Elektra is a layered and extremely dangerous woman that relentlessly pursued her goals with little thought to who she hurt in order to get there. In contrast, she valued her connection to Matt Murdock and ultimately did place faith in his capabilities, although she remained incredibly self-reliant.
Luke Cage
Before headlining his own show, Luke Cage made his Netflix debut in Jessica Jones, where he had a relationship with the series' heroine. Though he cared deeply for his community, Luke often kept a low profile, preferring to help out whilst avoiding the flashiness sometimes associated with acts of heroism.
Although Luke's contemplative nature often made him seem serious, his connection to those living in his neighborhood was made evident through his actions. Furthermore, his intellect and social skills greatly complimented his superhuman abilities, keeping Luke a well-rounded character outside of his fights.
Wilson Fisk
Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, remained a horrific threat in Daredevil throughout the show's three-season run. Fisk's fierce cruelty, coupled with his immense strength - both physically and politically - made him a hard man to outmaneuver.
Having recently been established as one of the MCU's best street-level villains once again in Hawkeye, Fisk's realm of influence has only broadened, while his intricate relationships with his allies and enemies mean his involvement is seeded everywhere in NYC and beyond.
Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones made a big impact on the superhero genre as a Private Investigator dealing with her own PTSD whilst endeavoring to still help solve mysteries for others. Her no-nonsense attitude, coupled with the series' dark tone, served to make the character distinct from other protagonists.
All of this makes her a fantastic candidate for characters from the Netflix Marvel shows likely to appear next in the MCU, particularly given her comic book friendship with Carol Danvers. But even without a reprisal, Jessica's character balancing dark themes with moments of sarcastic levity made her an incredible, if perhaps reluctant, hero.
Matt Murdock
As the hero who kickstarted Marvel's range of Netflix shows, Matt Murdock's status as a compelling character remains of great importance. From his moral conflicts to the way he navigates the world during the day as opposed to at night, Matt's heroic journey is in no way straightforward.
Dealing with complications in both the legal and vigilante worlds allowed Matt's character to be showcased to its fullest, whether he was donning the Daredevil costume or going to court. Ultimately, his desire for justice in its many forms created intricate stories whilst complicating many of his relationships, but always kept him fighting in one form or another.