SPOILERS BELOW!!!
Streaming on Disney+ is ‘Daredevil: Born Again‘ Season 2, which stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin.
UPLl9v8DcuODJ0OGYMYxF3Episode 5, ‘The Grand Design’, which began streaming on April 14th saw the tragic death of Fisk’s beloved wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer) at the hands of Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter / Bullseye (Wilson Bethel).
Moviefone recently had a chance to speak with actress Ayelet Zurer about her work on ‘Daredevil: Born Again’, Vanessa’s death, leaving the show, what playing the character has meant to her, Vanessa’s relationship with Wilson, what will happen to him now that she is gone, working with Vincent D’Onofrio and the rest of the cast, the reaction from the fans, and if we might see the actress appear in a flashback in the future.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.
Related Article: Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio Talk Disney+’s ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
Moviefone: To begin with, when did you learn of Vanessa’s death and what was it like filming her final scenes?
Ayelet Zurer: I got some calls. I was parking my car, and I got a call from Dario (Scardapane) first and then Vincent. We discussed and they wanted me to know where the season is going and how they’re going to take it. It was brutal at first, but at the same time, I really understood why they needed it to really pull all the guns and make this season explosive, and they succeeded. Then, through the season, we had a lot of emotions because we knew every single scene will be maybe the last scene doing that, and we’ll never have that again. So, it was emotional in some ways, and I think it gave another layer to the whole thing. Then obviously, the last two episodes were brutal. It was fun but I was so emotional.
MF: What has it meant to you personally to be a part of this series and to play this character and what are you going to miss most about playing Vanessa?
AZ: I really love her journey, I have to say. I love the journey from ‘Daredevil’ the Netflix show where she’s just a person who’s meeting this man and falling in love with that extremist and saying to him that she’s intrigued by his brutality. Moving away from it, but then moving back into it, and then committing to it, and them having that deal of loyalty for truth, which keeps them together. Then lending that into season 1 of ‘Born Again’, where she’s the boss, she’s matured into that part, and she is now that seasoned woman who’s running the show. Also, the emotional complication between them because he left and what does that mean, loyalty for truth? Because that’s always been the theme for them. Then into this season where she’s realizing that she might not be enough and nothing will be enough for him, really. Power is never enough. Control is not going to be enough. So, I think something breaks inside of her, but at the same time, she’s staying loyal and very protective of him all the way until coming to where she’s not invited to be, to take aim, and to possibly take the bullet. She’s not taking a bullet, but she’s taking something else and going down. So, I think the arc of it all really plays so well and it’s just such a beautiful character, I think. It’s very poetic in my perspective and I’m happy for completion. It’s completed with a bow on top.
MF: Can you talk about Wilson and Vanessa’s relationship, and now that there is no one to hold him back, what do you think the future of New York City will look like with Fisk as Mayor without Vanessa by his side?
AZ: Brutal. He’s going to explode, for sure. I think the audience will be expecting that to happen. I think in a way, subconsciously, because Vincent is playing big, and is large, and he’s also energetically big, and Vanessa is constrained. Her energy is very centered, and that together was balancing each other. So now, one power without the other to balance it is going to be explosive.
MF: What has it been like working with Vincent D’Onofrio to create their relationship on screen?
AZ: I mean, I love him to death. He is a friend. I think we created a relationship/friendship that is similar in some ways to the relationship of our characters in the sense that we have this loyalty and he’s always very protective of me. No matter what was going on. If there was a need for protection, he was always there. So, I will always remember that when thinking of him. I also think he’s a phenomenal actor. We worked well together. I think our chemistry together was profound and became easier with the years. It was so smooth, the listening and the reaction. It was great. I’m going to miss that.
MF: In addition to Vincent and of course Charlie, you also got to work with new cast members Lili Taylor and Matthew Lillard this season. What was it like for you to have scenes with them?
AZ: It was amazing. Lily is amazing. First, she’s brilliant. She’s funny, she’s smart, and she’s everything you would expect her to be. I think she’s a great casting in that specific role. Of course, Charlie has been doing an amazing job on this show, making it so real, down to earth, and so connected. Both Charlie and Vincent were always on top of the writing as well. They were always contributing, so I think that’s also something that’s really elevated the show in a way. I mean, everything is elevating the show. You have an amazing cast on that show, you really do.
MF: While being very entertaining, the show also deals with some serious subject matter. What has it been like for you to have a chance to explore some of those themes in this series?
AZ: Yes, the themes are interesting. The themes of what is good and what is bad? The mask you wear in life, and when you take off the mask, who are you? Faith, and love, I mean, it’s endless. I think it’s a beautifully poetic show in that sense.
MF: What has your experience been like starring on a Marvel series and were you surprised by the fan’s reaction to the show?
AZ: Wow, the fan reaction is amazing. I’ve never seen something so intensely loyal from the fans. It’s so interesting to see. I’ve never done this thing where you watch people watch the show. It’s kind of mind boggling, but I sort of became addicted to that because I am so intrigued by how they perceive certain things. So, I watch that sometimes and it’s so interesting. To be honest, the fans brought the show back in a way. They did. I mean, I will never forget the massive posters in New York saying, “Bring back ‘Daredevil’.” I think that loyalty is an outcome of a good show that really deals with some intriguing themes regarding humanity. But also knows how to have fun at the same time. It’s like the action is entertaining. It’s beautifully shot. The cinematographers and the directors on that shows are so talented. I’m going to miss this whole thing.
MF: Finally, now that Vanessa is gone, does that mean you will never appear on the show again or is there a chance you could return in a flashback some day?
AZ: I think the fans must ask for that. It comes down to that, really. But you never know.
What is the plot of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2?
The second season sees Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) hunting Daredevil (Charlie Cox). Murdock goes underground and gathers allies to resist Fisk’s corruption and his Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF).
What is in the cast of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2?
- Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil
- Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin
- Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page
- Margarita Levieva as Heather Glenn
- Matthew Lillard as Mr. Charles
- Tony Dalton as Jack Duquesne / Swordsman
- Michael Gandolfini as Daniel Blake
- Nikki M. James as Kirsten McDuffie
- Arty Froushan as Buck Cashman
- Genneya Walton as BB Urich
- Zabryna Guevara as Sheila Rivera
- Clark Johnson as Cherry
- Ayelet Zurer as Vanessa Fisk
- Wilson Bethel as Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter / Bullseye
- Lili Taylor as Marge McCaffrey
- Elden Henson as Franklin “Foggy” Nelson
- Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones
Movies and TV Shows Featuring Characters in ‘Daredevil: Born Again:’
- ‘The Punisher‘ (1989)
- ‘Daredevil‘ (2003)
- ‘The Punisher‘ (2004)
- ‘Punisher: War Zone‘ (2008)
- ‘The Punisher: Dirty Laundry‘ (2012)
- ‘Marvel’s Daredevil‘ (2015 – 2018)
- ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones‘ (2015-2019)
- ‘Marvel’s The Punisher‘ (2017 – 2019)
- ‘Marvel’s The Defenders‘ (2017)
- ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home‘ (2021)
- ‘Hawkeye‘ (2021)
- ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law‘ (2022)
- ‘Echo‘ (2024)
- ‘Daredevil: Born Again‘ (2025-2026)
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