One fan said that the show ‘changed their life’ (Picture: DGiesbrecht/Marvel/Netflix/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock)
It’s been seven years since an explosive, haunting and unforgettable TV series hailed as one of the ‘greatest’ premiered on Netflix… and fans can’t quite believe it.
Almost a decade ago in 2016, Jon Bernthal made his debut as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in the second season of Daredevil, a vigilante who enacts revenge on villains using extremely violent methods.
While a spin-off with the Marvel comics character as the lead wasn’t originally in the pipeline, the actor’s performance was so widely acclaimed by viewers and critics alike that the following year, it became a reality.
And so, 2017 was the year that The Punisher launched on Netflix, introducing fans to a show that many to this day laud as one of their favourites.
As the seventh anniversary came around, fans on Reddit and X were astonished that it had already been that long since it was released, while also continuing to sing its praises.
‘I’d love a new season of this,’ @YngJackieAprile wrote on X, while @FrequenceAyo said: ‘Still one of my favourite Marvel series.’
Viewers were blown away by Jon’s performance as Frank Castle (Picture: J Miglio/Netflix/Marvel/Kobal/Rex Features/Shutterstock)
Marking the anniversary, @MagicHandz remarked: ‘The Punisher is someone I never expected to like but I’m glad I do. Happy 7 years. 👏🔥.’
Another fan called @maximumjpool expressed their view that the first season of The Punisher was ‘fantastic’, describing it as a ‘gem in the Marvel Netflix era’.
‘One of my favourite shows. Ever,’ @vinnytalks_ added, as @frkastle – who presumably took inspiration from Frank Castle for their X handle – said the show ‘changed their life’.
The Punisher was one of a string of Marvel shows that were released on Netflix before being removed from the platform and made available to stream on Disney Plus instead.
While The Punisher originally launched on Netflix, it was later moved over to Disney Plus with the other Marvel shows (Picture: N Rivelli/Netflix/Marvel/Kobal/Rex Features/Shutterstock)
The fan-favourite character will be returning in Daredevil: Born Again next year (Picture: J Miglio/Netflix/Marvel/Kobal/Rex Features/Shutterstock)
While some of the shows based on the beloved comic book characters currently have uncertain futures following the transition – including Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist – Daredevil is set to be rebooted next year as Daredevil: Born Again.
The upcoming nine-parter will see Charlie Cox reprise his role as the lead Matt Murdock opposite Vincent D’Onofrio as the villainous Wilson Fisk, while Jon will also be making his highly-anticipated return as The Punisher.
So given Daredevil and Punisher will be back together, fans have renewed hope that a third season of The Punisher could be on the cards, after its second outing premiered in 2019 two years after the first.
‘It was fantastic and I’m hoping he gets to continue his series like Daredevil with Disney Plus,’ @Mitchhjelseth1 said.
‘I’d love a new season of this,’ @YngJackieAprile agreed.’
We have our fingers crossed too!
The Punisher is available to watch on Disney Plus.
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