Now that The Defenders is over and the original plan for the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Netflix has run its course (awesomely), what’s next?  Well, all four original series are getting new seasons; the third for Daredevil and second for Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist (who was much better in The Defenders than his own series).  In addition, a fifth show is joining the rotation in The Punisher, likely to debut on the streaming service this November.  Personally, I would have combined Luke Cage and Iron Fist into a Heroes for Hire show.  They’d have had a much deeper supporting cast and story possibilities than isolating them.  However, now that all of New York’s street-level crime fighters know each other, crossovers between the shows may become more frequent.

After numerous painful films, Marvel once again rehabilitated their character as soon as they got their hands on it, and Frank Castle’s one-man army of revenge stole Daredevil Season 2, paving the way for his own series.  Daredevil regular Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) will be a Punisher series regular, but no details on plot yet (Frank will shoot people).  Den of Geek had this bit of insight, and whether it’s November or not, Netflix has said The Punisher will bow in 2017.

The Punisher is the first new series created since the initial collaboration between Marvel and Netflix was announced, as it initially only included plans for Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders. Writer/producer Steve Lightfoot (Hannibal) has been tapped as showrunner of the new series. He will also write the first two episodes.

“For me, the complexity and unpredictability of Frank Castle make him an incredibly compelling character and I couldn’t be more excited to dive into his world,” said Lightfoot. “After watching Jon’s performance in Marvel’s Daredevil I could not be more excited to be working with him to further develop and progress the story of this anti-hero in a show of his own.”

“We want to thank the fans who are clamoring for more of Jon’s stunning and powerful performance as Frank Castle from Marvel’s Daredevil,” said Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb. “Now combined with Showrunner Steve Lightfoot’s compelling writing, we’re thrilled to bring Marvel’s The Punisher to Netflix.”