Will Jon Bernthal return as The Punisher?

Yes, Jon Bernthal will return as “The Punisher” in a Disney+ standalone special in 2026. Primetime Emmy winner Jon Bernthal is an American actor and producer, widely recognized for his portrayal of Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher. He was born in Washington D.C., and is the grandson of musician and producer Murray Bernthal. He attended the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia and has performed in several regional and Off-Broadway theater productions.

Bernthal’s film debut was in the 2002 romantic-comedy “Mary/Mary.” He portrayed Manny, who is a young man struggling with a deep-rooted Madonna/Whore complex and an obsessive paranoia regarding sexually transmitted diseases. His career in television began with the depiction of Lane Ruddock in 2002 in the crime drama series “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”

His filmography further includes the 2013 biographical comedy “The Wolf of Wall Street” as Brad, the 2016 action drama “The Accountant” as Brax, the 2017 crime drama “Baby Driver” as Griff, and the 2021 sport drama “King Richard” as Rick Macci.

Bernthal’s television career featured roles in shows like the 2009 fantasy “Eastwick” where he played Raymond Gardener and the 2010 horror thriller series “The Walking Dead” where he portrayed Shane Walsh. His depiction of Michael Berzatto in the comedy drama “The Bear (2022),” secured him a Primetime Emmy in 2024 in the category “Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.”

Will Jon Bernthal return as The Punisher?

Bernthal will reprise his role as The Punisher for Marvel Television’s upcoming standalone special in 2026. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he is cowriting the feature along with American director, producer, and writer Reinaldo Marcus Green. The show will premiere parallel to Season 2 of Disney +’s “Daredevil: Born Again.”

Bernthal returned as Frank Castle in “Daredevil: Born Again,” following the cancellation of Netflix’s “The Punisher” in 2019. His return sees him crossing paths with Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). As Matt follows a trail of clues while investigating White Tiger’s murder, he ends up discovering Frank’s hideout. Their reunion leads to a tense confrontation when Matt accuses Frank of remaining stuck in the past instead of utilizing his skills for the greater good.

Frank is still grieving Foggy’s death and lashes out against Matt, as Bullseye, who is responsible for the tragedy, is still alive. Their conflict escalates into violence with Matt backing down eventually. However, the tension between them remains unresolved.

“Daredevil: Born Again” new episodes premiere every Tuesday at 6pm (PT)/ 9pm (ET).

Jon Bernthal's role in The Punisher

Bernthal’s Frank Castle was a rebellious teenager who channeled his aggression into a career path by joining the United States Marines. Trained in weapons and tactics, he was privy to many covert assignments and became close friends with Billy Russo. He fell in love with a woman named Maria while on leave, and the pair married soon after Maria got pregnant. They have a second child together; however, Frank’s overseas duty puts a strain on their relationship.

Castle and Russo’s Force Recon unit was assimilated with the Cerberus Squad. During a failed mission in Kandahar, Castle single-handedly wiped out an enemy battalion while also leaving Agent Orange with a permanent eye injury. When Castle has returned home and is out for a picnic with his family, they get caught in the crossfire of a violent clash between multiple criminal groups.

Castle survives; however, his family is tragically killed during the violence. He later discovers that the attack was orchestrated with Russo’s involvement to target him. With the loss of his loved ones, Castle is pushed into a relentless pursuit of vengeance against those responsible.

What are Jon Bernthal’s upcoming projects?

Bernthal will play the role of Detective Jack Harper in the upcoming TV mini-series “His & Hers.” He will also feature in Christopher Nolan’s 2026 production, “The Odyssey” and James Hawes’ 2025 action thriller “The Amateur” scheduled for a big screen debut on April 11, 2025. He also reprises his character Brax in Gavin O’Connor’s upcoming action thriller sequel “The Accountant 2” set for a theatrical release on April 25, 2025.

Watch the official trailer for “The Accountant 2” here:

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