Netflix has officially cancelled Daredevil after three seasons. Marvel and Netflix struck a deal years ago to bring original live-action TV shows to the streaming service. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist were the initial deal that was scheduled to lead to The Defenders.
Marvel and Netflix started the partnership with Daredevil and cast Charlie Cox in the role of Matt Murdock. The first season arrived in 2015 and instantly set the tone for this corner of the MCU and was looked at as a major hit. Netflix quickly renewed Daredevil for a second season that came out in 2016 and finally launched season three of the series just a few weeks ago. The new season was as well-received as any of the previous, but some metrics showed a continued decline in interest. This was the same for all Marvel/Netflix shows, and started the movement of Netflix canning these properties. Iron Fist was the first to go and then Luke Cage also was canceled - both after two seasons.
Related: How Netflix Can Save Its Remaining Marvel Shows
The rush of cancellations made many fans worried about the future of the remaining Netflix properties, and now Deadline has revealed that Netflix has cancelled Daredevil after three seasons. Netflix issued the following statement about their decision:
"Marvel’s Daredevil will not return for a fourth season on Netflix. We are tremendously proud of the show’s last and final season and although it’s painful for the fans, we feel it best to close this chapter on a high note. We’re thankful to showrunner Erik Oleson, the show’s writers, stellar crew and incredible cast including Charlie Cox as Daredevil himself, and we’re grateful to the fans who have supported the show over the years. While the series on Netflix has ended, the three existing seasons will remain on the service for years to come, while the Daredevil character will live on in future projects for Marvel."
The cancellation of Daredevil comes on the heels of Oleson confirming he recently pitched his idea for season 4 to Netflix. The decision to cancel the series is likely not an indictment on his pitch, but rather the latest piece of evidence that all of these Netflix/Marvel cancellations are not a coincidence, seeing as Marvel will have original content released via Disney's new streaming service Disney Plus. The good news for fans of the first three seasons is that Netflix confirmed in their statement that the series' first three seasons will continue to be available to stream for several more years.
However, it may be the end of their statement that offers a glimmer of hope for Marvel fans and possibly even the actors involved with the series. Netflix says Daredevil "will live on in future projects for Marvel," so that could be a sign that Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige are instead interested in regaining control of these characters. Whether or not Charlie Cox's version of Daredevil or Vincent D'Onofrio's portrayal of Kingpin get promoted to the big screen is unknown at this time, but such a move would be wildly accepted by fans.
Of course, now that Daredevil has joined Iron Fist and Luke Cage in getting canceled, the future of the remaining Marvel/Netflix series is probably not too bright. The Punisher season 2 and Jessica Jones seasons 3 are both expected to debut sometime in 2019, but with three of the five standalone shows canceled, the Netflix corner of the Marvel universe appears to be ending, and fans should probably be prepared for The Punisher and Jessica Jones to receive similar fates.
MORE: Which Marvel/Netflix Shows Are Still Happening?
Source: Deadline