Marvel fans anticipating the arrival of The Punisher to the small screen were given their first glimpse of Jon Bernthal in character as Frank Castle — thanks to a new behind-the-scenes photo from the set of Daredevil Season 2.
The image, first shared by Collider’s Steven Weintraub, doesn’t show Castle in the Punisher’s iconic skull-emblazoned body armor just yet. Instead, Bernthal appears in a more grounded, civilian-style look — complete with a black jacket, heavy boots, and a stern expression that screams trouble. While it’s not a full reveal, it offers a clear signal that the character’s on-screen presence will be intense, layered, and very much in line with the gritty tone of Netflix’s Marvel series.
thanks to a reader, here’s a few pics of @jonnybernthal on the DAREDEVIL season 2 set as Punisher. pic.twitter.com/q6nte43Dkg
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 10, 2015
Jon Bernthal, best known at the time for his role as Shane on The Walking Dead, was a casting choice that sparked plenty of discussion — and excitement. His ability to portray complex, morally gray characters made him an ideal fit for Frank Castle, a man driven by personal tragedy to wage a brutal one-man war against crime.
This version of Castle was set to be a major new force in the MCU’s street-level storytelling, and the early glimpses suggested a slow build toward his fully realized vigilante persona. Rather than rushing to the familiar costume and weapons, it appeared that Daredevil was going to explore the character’s motivations and backstory with more emotional weight — a move that aligns with the show’s deeper character focus and darker tone.
According to reports at the time, the introduction of The Punisher in Season 2 wasn’t just for shock value — it was a crucial part of the season’s larger arc. Castle’s arrival would throw Matt Murdock’s own methods and morals into question, setting up a tense ideological clash between the two vigilantes. Would Daredevil be forced to question whether his restraint is a strength — or a weakness?
Though this early look didn’t give fans the full Punisher reveal, it did what any good tease should: it raised anticipation. Seeing Bernthal on set, locked into the character’s headspace, added credibility to the idea that Marvel was finally ready to give Frank Castle the screen presence he deserved.
With Season 2 still in production at the time, fans would have to wait to see Castle in action. But if this first glimpse was anything to go by, Jon Bernthal’s take on The Punisher promised to be one of the most talked-about additions to the Marvel television universe yet.