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Marvel Is Finally Paying Off Luke Cage Season 2's Ending, Just Not How We Expected

By Sofia Martinez · Culture & Entertainment Editor

April 29, 2026 · 10 min read

Kevin Erdmann

Published Apr 29, 2026, 7:30 PM EDT

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. **

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again season 2, episode 7

Daredevil: Born Again_** season 2 has only been escalating as the vigilante war between Matt Murdock and Mayor Fisk reaches what will be the epic tipping point with the upcoming finale. As a prime example, Jessica Jones has just officially joined Daredevil's resistance ahead of the final episode. While that's exciting in its own right, Jessica's latest appearance in Born Again season 2 has also revealed some critical information about Luke Cage.

Despite being a fellow Defender and presumably the father of Jessica's daughter as he is in the comics, Luke Cage has notably been absent from Daredevil: Born Again season 2. However, Daredevil: Born Again season 2, episode 7 does confirm where Luke has been during all the chaos that's come to New York, connecting to a major Phase 5 villain.

Surprisingly, Luke Cage's current status quo in the MCU is likely more complicated (and darker) than most were expecting. That said, it does seem possible that Cage's new role may stem from how Marvel left him at the end of Luke Cage season 2 and its major cliffhanger ending prior to the series' cancellation, along with all the other Netflix Marvel shows.

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Confirms Luke Cage Is Working Overseas

_ Mike Colter's Luke Cage looking calmly mad in the Netflix series

Daredevil: Born Again_ season 2, episode 7 sheds new light on Luke Cage’s whereabouts, and it's pretty surprising all around.

After a tactical team was sent by MCU newcomer Mr. Charles to Jessica Jones' home in episode 6, Jessica went after Charles in episode 7, interrogating the government agent with ties to the CIA and none other than Thunderbolts*' Valentina Alegra de Fontaine.

During their tense exchange, Jones learns from Charles that Luke has been working for him overseas doing "The Lord's work", presumably covert operations for the government.

While we know Jessica refuses Charles' offer to work for him, it seems Luke did not. Not only does this explain Luke's absence, but it also lays the groundwork for Mike Colter's confirmed return as Luke Cage in Daredevil: Born Again season 3, which is already in production from Marvel Studios. At the same time, Luke Cage using his impressive powers to do covert government work feels like it could also be part of a darker, longstanding status quo, one that Luke has perhaps been dealing with since Luke Cage season 2's cliffhanger ending.

Has Luke Cage Been Caught In A Dark MCU Arc Since His Show Ended?

Thinking back to Luke Cage_ Season 2's ending eight years ago is pretty interesting, as it may have a connection to Luke's new status quo in the present-day MCU.

At the end of the Luke Cage series, Mariah Dillard, the show's primary antagonist, gave Luke her club, Harlem's Paradise, just before her death, knowing full well that this would force Luke into a position of morally gray power where he'd have no choice but to take control of the existing structures of organized crime in Harlem to maintain order and prevent escalating violence. As such, it was expected that Luke Cage season 3 would have explored this significant character shift with Luke taking the reins as a major crime boss.

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Hell’s Kitchen Files

Interactive Quiz

ScreenRant/ Marvel/ Daredevil/ Trivia

Hell’s Kitchen · Street-Level Edition How Well Do You**Know Daredevil?

♻OriginsBlinded ☠VillainsKingpin ⚖AlliesJustice ⚔CombatNo killing 🎥TV SeriesNetflix

ENTER HELL’S KITCHEN →

QUESTION 1 / 8ORIGINS

01 Matt Murdock was blinded as a child by radioactive material that fell from a truck. While he lost his sight, the accident gave him something extraordinary in return. What did the radioactive exposure give Matt?

ASuper strength BTelepathy CSuperhuman radar-like senses DX-ray vision

✓ Correct! The radioactive chemicals that blinded young Matt Murdock simultaneously supercharged his remaining senses to extraordinary levels and gave him a radar-like spatial awareness. He can “see” the world around him through sound, smell, touch, and taste with superhuman precision — making him one of Marvel’s most unique heroes. ✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is superhuman radar-like senses. The radioactive accident didn’t give Matt strength, telepathy, or X-ray vision — it heightened all his remaining senses to superhuman levels and granted him a radar sense that lets him perceive the world around him in 360 degrees.

QUESTION 2 / 8VILLAINS

02 Daredevil’s greatest enemy is a massive, calculating crime lord who controls most of the criminal underworld in New York City. This villain is known by his real name and his title. Who is he?

ABullseye BWilson Fisk / The Kingpin CThe Hand DThe Owl

✓ Correct! Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, is Daredevil’s most iconic adversary. Despite having no superpowers, Fisk’s immense physical strength, ruthless intelligence, and iron grip on New York’s criminal underworld make him one of Marvel’s most terrifying villains. Their battle is deeply personal — both men believe they’re saving Hell’s Kitchen. ✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is Wilson Fisk / The Kingpin. Bullseye is a deadly assassin, The Hand is a ninja organization, and The Owl is a lesser crime lord. But the Kingpin is the definitive Daredevil villain — the immovable force that controls New York’s underworld from the shadows.

QUESTION 3 / 8ORIGINS

03 By day, Matt Murdock fights for justice in a courtroom as a lawyer. He co-founded a law firm with his best friend in Hell’s Kitchen. Who is Matt’s law partner and best friend?

ABen Urich BDanny Rand CFranklin ‘Foggy’ Nelson DLuke Cage

✓ Correct! Franklin “Foggy” Nelson has been Matt Murdock’s best friend and law partner since they met at Columbia Law School. Together they founded Nelson & Murdock, a small firm dedicated to defending the people of Hell’s Kitchen. Foggy is the heart and conscience of the partnership — often the one pulling Matt back from the edge. ✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is Franklin “Foggy” Nelson. Ben Urich is a journalist at the Daily Bugle, Danny Rand is Iron Fist, and Luke Cage is a Harlem-based hero. Foggy Nelson is Matt’s irreplaceable best friend, law partner, and moral anchor.

QUESTION 4 / 8TV SERIES

04 The Netflix Daredevil series (2015–2018) was praised for its dark tone and incredible fight choreography. Which actor portrayed Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the Netflix series and later in the MCU’s Daredevil: Born Again?

ABen Affleck BCharlie Cox COscar Isaac DJon Bernthal

✓ Correct! Charlie Cox brought Matt Murdock to life with a nuanced, critically acclaimed performance across three seasons of Netflix’s Daredevil. His portrayal was so beloved that Marvel Studios brought him back for the MCU, appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home and starring in Daredevil: Born Again. ✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is Charlie Cox. Ben Affleck played Daredevil in the 2003 film, Oscar Isaac is Moon Knight, and Jon Bernthal plays the Punisher (who appeared in Daredevil Season 2). Charlie Cox is the definitive live-action Man Without Fear.

QUESTION 5 / 8VILLAINS

05 Bullseye is one of Daredevil’s deadliest foes, a psychopathic assassin with an extraordinary ability. What is Bullseye’s signature power?

ASuper speed BInvisibility CPerfect accuracy — he never misses a target DMind control

✓ Correct! Bullseye possesses an innate ability to turn virtually any object into a lethal projectile with perfect accuracy. From playing cards to paper clips, anything in his hands becomes a deadly weapon. He’s responsible for some of the darkest moments in Daredevil’s history, including the murder of Elektra. ✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is perfect accuracy — he never misses a target. Bullseye doesn’t have super speed, invisibility, or mind control. His terrifying gift is unerring aim — he can kill with a toothpick, a playing card, or anything he can throw.

QUESTION 6 / 8ALLIES

06 Elektra Natchios is a complex character in Daredevil’s life — sometimes lover, sometimes enemy. She is a deadly assassin trained by a mysterious ninja organization. What is the name of this organization?

AThe League of Shadows BThe Hand CHYDRA DThe Foot Clan

✓ Correct! The Hand is a secretive ninja organization that plays a major role in Daredevil’s mythology. Founded centuries ago, they deal in assassination, mysticism, and resurrection. Elektra was trained by The Hand and has been both their weapon and their enemy — her complicated ties to the organization mirror her complicated relationship with Matt. ✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is The Hand. The League of Shadows is from DC’s Batman universe, HYDRA is the broader Marvel villain organization, and The Foot Clan is from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (actually inspired by The Hand). The Hand is the ancient ninja order central to Daredevil’s world.

QUESTION 7 / 8COMBAT

07 Frank Castle, the Punisher, has a complicated relationship with Daredevil. They share a mission to fight crime but disagree fundamentally on methods. What is the core philosophical difference between Daredevil and the Punisher?

ADaredevil uses weapons, Punisher doesn’t BDaredevil refuses to kill, Punisher kills criminals CPunisher works with police, Daredevil doesn’t DDaredevil only fights at night

✓ Correct! This is the defining tension between Daredevil and the Punisher. Matt Murdock, a devout Catholic and lawyer, believes in the justice system and refuses to cross the line into killing. Frank Castle believes the system is broken and that lethal force is the only way to permanently stop criminals. Their rooftop debate in Season 2 of the Netflix series is one of the greatest scenes in superhero television. ✗ Even Daredevil’s radar sense couldn’t find the right answer there! The answer is that Daredevil refuses to kill while the Punisher kills criminals. It’s actually the Punisher who uses weapons (guns, explosives), and neither works with police. Daredevil fights at all hours. The real divide is moral: Matt believes in redemption and the law, while Frank believes in permanent, lethal justice.