Why Does Daredevil: Born Again Only Have 9 Episodes?

The tides of change swept through Marvel Studios recently, rocking the world of fans eagerly anticipating “Daredevil: Born Again.” Initially pitched as an 18-episode saga, the show’s first season unexpectedly halved its episode count to just nine. This decision, steeped in production delays and creative recalibrations, left the fanbase questioning what led to the sudden overhaul.

Unveiling the Episode Restructure

Marvel Studios first planned an expansive 18-episode run for “Daredevil: Born Again.” However, Brad Winderbaum, the co-executive producer and Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation at Marvel, lifted the veil on why the change occurred. During a revealing podcast conversation on Phase Hero, Winderbaum said they initially thought a longer format would be ideal. Yet, numerous factors, including the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and resultant production pauses, offered a moment to reevaluate the season’s structure.

“As the strikes caused shutdowns, it allowed us to reassess the episodes,” Winderbaum shared. He confirmed, “It’s just the best nine episodes. It feels like it is a great kind of first season.”

Looking back, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige had laid out the grand vision of 18 episodes at San Diego’s 2022 Comic-Con. Entertainment Weekly later reported that the restructured first season would now consist of nine episodes, with the remainder planned to launch in the proposed second season. Showrunner Dario Scardapane teased Collider enthusiasts with confirmation: Season 2 will unroll over eight thrilling episodes.

What Lies Ahead for Daredevil?

The premiere rolled out on March 4, 2025, with a double episode blitz. The rest will unfurl weekly, with a unique duo of episodes dropping on March 25, ensuring viewers stay glued to their screens. The finale, tantalizingly titled “Straight to Hell,” is set for an April 15 showdown.

Taking place six years after its Netflix predecessor, “Daredevil: Born Again” welcomes back Charlie Cox as the enigmatic Matt Murdock. Vincent D’Onofrio also returns to his chilling role as Wilson Fisk, promising fans a season worthy of high-stakes conflict and intrigue.

As Marvel continues to evolve its storytelling, fans are left hanging in anticipation, eager to traverse the narrative webs spun by the studio’s strategic pivots. We can only wait to see how the revised episode structure plays out in this heightened chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.