Daredevil: Born Again finally linked the Marvel Netflix shows with the mainline Marvel Cinematic Universe when it premiered in 2025. But while Kingpin, Punisher and Bullseye featured prominently in season 1, there were some fan-favorite characters who did not immediately get ported over. Luke Cage, for instance, starred in three seasons of TV over on the Netflix side but was not officially canonized on Disney+ right off the bat.
But with Daredevil: Born Again season 2 premiering in March 2026, could one of the core Defenders join Daredevil in the new era of MCU television?
Is Luke Cage in Daredevil: Born Again?
At the end of Daredevil: Born Again season 1, Matt Murdock pledges to build an army to fight back against mayor Wilson Fisk’s corrupt vigilante task force. The beginnings of that army consisted of Daredevil, investigative journalist Karen Paige, retired police officer Cherry, detective Angie Kim and a handful of other officers. And while Frank Castle broke out of custody in the finale’s post-credit scene, his involvement remained undetermined. Suffice to say, fans weren’t exactly satisfied with those ranks.
Matt has a few superpowered pals he could bring in, assuming that the Netflix shows are canon and his adventures with the Defenders actually took place in this continuity. Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Colleen Wing and Misty Knight could all be out there. While Jones has appeared in the teasers and trailers for Daredevil: Born Again season 2, none of the other street-level characters have. However, in Cage’s case, actor Mike Colter has been dropping some breadcrumbs towards a potential appearance.
Colter confirmed on the On That Note podcast earlier this year that he has had discussions with Marvel Studios about reprising his role as Luke Cage. He said he had unfinished business with the character but refused to elaborate further, suggesting that he had something to hide. Colter also made the rounds with several members of the Daredevil cast at several conventions in 2025, including New York and Los Angeles.
In-universe, a sign for the Harlem’s Paradise nightclub popped up in a montage inDaredevil: Born Again season 1. Luke took over that club from Mariah Stokes-Dillard in season 2 of his own show back in 2018, so there is a chance that Daredevil: Born Again‘s infamous creative overhaul could lead to Luke Cage’s return. For now, though, we still don’t know.
Who is Luke Cage?
Luke Cage, also known (but not often referred to) as Power Man, debuted in Marvel comics back in 1972.
In the Luke Cage show, the character originally went by Carl Lucas. After going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit and enduring experimental torture, he emerged as an bulletproof hero with super strength. Carl changed his name to Luke Cage and returned home to Harlem to free the neighborhood from gang control. He went against Cottonmouth, Shades Alvarez and his long-lost brother Diamondback, plus local politician-turned-crime lord Mariah Stokes-Dillard and a rival gang leader, Bushmaster.
Cage made his first appearance in the Netflix pocket of the MCU in season 1 of Jessica Jones, when we discover Jessica took out his wife while under mind-control by the Purple Man. The two had a brief romantic relationship before taking on The Hand alongside Daredevil in The Defenders. Luke also teamed up with Iron Fist on the side, forming the pair that went by “Heroes for Hire” in the comics. Detective Misty Knight and the Night Nurse are some of his other close collaborators.
Daredevil: Born Again FAQs
Is Luke Cage in Daredevil: Born Again season 2?
It remains to be seen if Luke Cage will be in Daredevil: Born Again season 2. He was not in season 1 or the original run of Daredevil on Netflix, but he did cross over with Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock in The Defenders, a six-episode miniseries from 2017.
Who plays Luke Cage in the MCU?
Mike Colter played the titular character in Luke Cage starting in 2016 through his cameo appearance in Jessica Jones season 3 in 2019. Unless Marvel Studios recasts the role, Colter is still in line to play Power Man in potential future outings.
Where can I watch Luke Cage?
After initially coming out on Netflix, both seasons of Luke Cage are now available on Disney+.
When does Daredevil: Born Again season 2 come out?
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 will premiere on Disney+ on Tuesday, March 24.
