For a while, Netflix refused to confirm rumblings of a possible Frank Castle-centric series in development, but the streaming service eventually gave a formal announcementearlier this yearfollowing the success of the character’s debut inDaredevilseason 2. Now, as the heroes of Hell’s Kitchen are preparing to join forces for theDefendersminiseries event, casting onThe Punisheris underway withBen Barnescoming aboard.
Netflix declined to offer comment to Collider for this story, butTV Linestates that Barnes, known for fantastical roles inThe Chronicles of Narnia,Stardust, and the more recentSeventh Son, has been cast in a series regular role. Details on his character are still unknown, but the report cites a rumor linking the actor to Bobby Saint, the corrupt son of a ruthless crime boss who was played in the 2004Punisherfilm byJames Carpinello.
Here’s what we know of the series so far:Steve Lightfoot(NBC’sHannibal) was appointed showrunner and executive producer of the first season order, as well as the writer of the first two episodes.JonBernathalwill reprise his role of the gun-slinging, vengeance-driven Frank Castle, who drew in Lightfoot for his “complexity and unpredictability,” as he said in a press release.
The Punisherwill further expand the heroic world rooted in Hell’s Kitchen, which already includes three seasons ofDaredevil, two seasons ofJessica Jones,Luke Cage,Iron Fist, andThe Defenders.
It’ll be interesting to see if the rumors of Barnes is true, since the character didn’t last very long in thePunishermovie. It also may hint at a possible storyline: the possible presence of Bobby would seem to indicate his father, Howard Saint, as well. In the meantime, we’ll see Barnes in HBO’sWestworld, another out-of-this-world tale.
