Vanessa Fisk's Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 Ending & Season 2 Story Explained By Ayelet Zurer
Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again episode 9!Ever since the Marvel Cinematic Universe made Netflix's Daredevil canon, Daredevil: Born Again has been able to elevate one of the most established characters in the lore. Marvel's creative overhaul of season 1 also undid the initial recasting of Vanessa Fisk, and the studio brought Ayelet Zurer back to reprise the character she brought to life in the Netflix series.
While Born Again season 1 explored Mayor Wilson Fisk's rise to power, the series also showcased how Vanessa has been increasing her own power in the criminal world, making her one of the most dangerous players in the franchise. One of the big twists that emerged in Daredevil: Born Again episode 8 was the confirmation that it was Vanessa who put in the order to have Foggy Nelson killed.
Things escalated in Daredevil: Born Again episode 9, though, and ScreenRant caught up with Zurer about the fallout from the finale. Zurer broke down Vanessa's return to the MCU, her season 1 accomplishments, and the new layers that Daredevil: Born Again has added to Vanessa's personality and her marriage with Kingpin.
Ayelet Zurer Appreciates Vanessa Fisk's Expansive Role In Daredevil: Born Again
"I Was Scared & Excited"
While Vanessa was instrumental to Netflix's Daredevil TV show, Born Again has given Zurer more material to work with, elevating her MCU character in the new series. When asked what some of the most exciting and challenging parts of having a more complex role were, Zurer admitted that it was a mix of excitement while also being nervous.
"I was scared and excited," she confesses. "On one hand, I felt like she was a little different than how I remembered her, and I had to go and watch what we had before."
She's still the same Vanessa, who loves Wilson so much and is also steaming with anger.
However, after getting up to speed on her initial story, Zurer said, "I sort of understood where it was going and realized what was the driving force for her [and] it's really the same. It's just the same person, only a little bit [more] mature, older, more successful, maybe. But she's still the same Vanessa, who loves Wilson so much and is also steaming with anger."
As Vanessa was also the one to pull the trigger on Adam, Zurer elaborated on how her choices would come to haunt her. "There will be consequences to everything, because that's the show. Everybody has consequences, but particularly for Vanessa, it's all about gaining trust this season, for her and Fisk.
She continues, "Because the innate law is that they love each other, and they're intertwined and inseparable, it's going to be heartbreaking to see what she has to do in order to gain trust."
Vanessa's Role In The Murder Of Foggy Nelson Explained
Is Daredevil's Best Friend Really Gone?
In the finale, it was revealed who was actually behind the hit on Foggy, but still, some believe that Elden Henson's character may still be alive. When asked if she had seen some of these online theories and how, if true, that would complicate Vanessa's story, Zurer played coy.
"Again, consequences are coming. There are always consequences in the show to everyone, everyone's actions will have consequences. So it's inevitable," Zurer stressed.
I Can’t Believe Daredevil: Born Again Left A Huge Clue About Its Episode 8 Plot Twist In Plain Sight In Episode 1 & I Totally Missed It
Daredevil: Born Again was able to sneak some important details past the audience from the very first episode and honestly, it's a credit to the show.
The actor added, "When I read about it, I had to put it aside and I sort of suppressed the fact that Vanessa is involved in this. And I didn't deal with him until the absolute end because I just couldn't take it. It's like such a miserable, sad moment to see him gone, and then to have that tie to her somehow."
Ayelet Zurer On How Vanessa Fisk's Boss Status May Pose A Threat To Vigilantes
"Power Serves A Purpose For Her"
The Disney+ drama has been following Wilson and Vanessa's development as major power players, both separate and together. Now that Fisk has taken steps forward as a political figure, Vanessa is finding her own power in the criminal world.
While audiences have seen how dangerous Kingpin can be to Daredevil, vigilantes, and other heroes in New York City, we asked Zurer what kind of danger Vanessa will pose to characters like that going forward.
"I think Vanessa does what she does for power," Zurer says. "But not just for power." Zurer said as she elaborated how "power serves a purpose for her. The purpose of power is to feel protected - [to] protect her and him at the same time."
She continues, "He's going for power because he needs it. He needs the love of the people. He needs more and more. So that's really different. I think these two approaches are going to challenge them."
Ayelet Zurer On Vanessa & Wilson's Therapy Sessions In Daredevil: Born Again
"Vanessa Got To Say A Lot Of Things About Herself"
One of the biggest arcs in Daredevil: Born Again season 1 is the fact that audiences have been getting to see the domestic side of Vanessa and Wilson as they go to therapy with Dr. Heather Glenn, who also happens to be Matt's new girlfriend.
Getting to film this type of storyline with her fellow Daredevil: Born Again cast members, Vincent D'Onofrio and Margarita Levieva, Zurer says that these were her "favorite" scenes to film. But, it still remains unclear how things will work now that Heather is working directly for Fisk.
It's going to be interesting to see where this triangle goes.
"It is so strange to put these people in a situation where they talk about emotions in a very honest way, but in front of someone. And [they're] not really saying anything, because they're not the type of people that will air their dirty laundry in front of anyone."
With all these layers of emotion, Zurer says, "These really crazy scenes were so much fun. And also, Vanessa got to say a lot of things about herself and how she views things, and she expressed it verbally. That was really fun. It's going to be interesting to see where this triangle goes."
Ayelet Zurer On How Season 1 Sets Up Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
"I can't say much, you know that they'll kill me..."
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 is currently underway in production, with the series set to return in 2026 as part of Phase 6. Zurer couldn't reveal too much, though. "You know that they'll kill me," she laughed.
"But I can say that the finale of season 1 definitely launches us into the second season with a lot to take care of, both on a relationship level, and also actions and consequences for actions."
Why Ayelet Zurer Is In No Hurry To Have Vanessa Appear Outside Of Daredevil: Born Again
"I Can't See Her Outside Of This World, To Be Honest"
With the Daredevil mythology finally part of the MCU timeline, Zurer was asked if she had any interest in seeing Vanessa clash with other characters outside the world of Daredevil: Born Again. While thinking it through, Zurer asked, "Like who?"
She eventually admitted that she "wouldn't mind doing any of it," sharing that if there is any one person on her list that she wants to work with more in the MCU, it's actually with the Devil of Hell's Kitchen himself.
"I'm enjoying Vanessa so much, and I think there's so much to investigate. But when I'm asked this question, I always say, I wish I had more with Charlie, because her and Daredevil [are] such a different dynamic from Vanessa and Matt. It [would] be really interesting to see what happens there. I can't see her outside this world, to be honest."
Daredevil: Born Again season 1 is now streaming on Disney+.
Check out our other Daredevil: Born Again interviews:
- Charlie Cox & Vincent D'Onofrio
- Margarita Levieva (Episode 7)
- Margarita Levieva (Episode 9)
- Brad Winderbaum
- Dario Scardapane & Sana Amanat
- Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead
- Philip Silvera
Daredevil: Born Again
- Release Date
- March 4, 2025
- Network
- Disney+
- Showrunner
- Chris Ord
- Directors
- Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, David Boyd, Jeffrey Nachmanoff
- Writers
- Jesse Wigutow, Jill Blankenship, Thomas Wong, David Feige, Grainne Godfree
Cast
Matt Murdock / Daredevil
Wilson Fisk
Daredevil: Born Again follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who uses his heightened abilities to pursue justice in New York. As he manages a bustling law firm, former mob boss Wilson Fisk navigates political ambitions, leading both men toward a confrontation as their pasts resurface.
- Franchise(s)
- Daredevil, Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- Number of Episodes
- 9
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+
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