Many fans are curious why Daredevil: Born Again was cut from 18 episodes to just nine. Marvel’s unexpected decision sparked questions among fans of the series. The change followed production delays and creative shifts during development, prompting the studio to restructure the show’s rollout.
Here’s what we know about the episode reduction, behind-the-scenes decisions, and the future of Matt Murdock’s return to the MCU.
Here’s why Daredevil: Born Again has only 9 episodes
Marvel Studios initially announced the first season of Daredevil: Born Again as an 18-episode series. They later confirmed they had reduced the season to nine episodes.
Brad Winderbaum, co-executive producer and Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation at Marvel Studios, explained the change in a podcast appearance on Phase Hero, stating, “Our first conceit for Daredevil was let’s try a longer format… Then we learned a lot of lessons doing it that way.”
According to Winderbaum, the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and related production shutdowns were among the factors that led to a reevaluation. “Because of a number of reasons, including the shutdowns due to the strikes, we were able to reassess the episodes and see what we had,” he said. He added, “It’s just the best nine episodes. It feels like it is a great kind of first season.”
At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige originally announced the 18-episode plan. Entertainment Weekly later reported that the first nine episodes now form Season 1, with the remaining content intended for Season 2. Showrunner Dario Scardapane told Collider that Season 2 will include eight episodes.
Season 1 premiered on March 4, 2025, with Episodes 1 and 2, followed by weekly Tuesday releases at 9 PM ET. Marvel released Episodes 5 and 6 together on March 25. The season will conclude with Episode 9, titled “Straight to Hell,” on April 15, 2025.
Daredevil: Born Again takes place six years after Netflix’s original Daredevil series. Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdock, with Vincent D’Onofrio reprising his role as Wilson Fisk.
