Marvel fans got a seismic jolt of excitement today as Krysten Ritter officially confirmed her return as Jessica Jones in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2. The reveal came during Disney’s 2025 upfront presentation in New York City, where Ritter appeared alongside Charlie Cox, signaling her long-awaited entrance into the mainline Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Ritter’s comeback isn’t just fan service — it’s a meaningful expansion of Marvel’s street-level storytelling. Her original run as Jessica Jones on Netflix from 2015 to 2019 redefined the superhero genre, exploring trauma, addiction, and power through a hard-boiled detective lens. Her performance earned accolades and Emmy buzz, and her chemistry with fellow Defenders made her a standout. This return gives the MCU an opportunity to continue that nuanced character work in a new context.
A Major Shift for the MCU’s Street-Level Heroes
Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again reintroduced key figures like Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), setting up a grittier, more grounded Marvel TV landscape. Season 2 now escalates those stakes, with the return of Jessica Jones confirming that Marvel is actively weaving together the DNA of the Netflix shows with its broader universe.
In the upcoming season, Murdock is expected to lead a resistance against Mayor Wilson Fisk’s sweeping anti-vigilante campaign — a regime built on surveillance, suppression, and fear. Ritter’s Jessica Jones will be joining that fight, likely as a reluctant ally with unmatched investigative instincts and raw strength. According to early production leaks and insider reports, Jessica’s arc may explore her struggle to re-engage with a world that has changed — as has she.
Defenders Reuniting?
Ritter’s return opens the door for additional Defenders reunions. While Mike Colter (Luke Cage) and Finn Jones (Iron Fist) are not confirmed, Marvel insiders haven’t ruled them out either. This could be a quiet setup for a Defenders soft reboot under Marvel Studios proper, especially with multiple Disney+ projects rumored to focus on grounded, interconnected heroes.
Confirmed returning cast includes:
- Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil
- Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin
- Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / The Punisher
- Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page
- Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson
- Wilson Bethel as Dex Poindexter / Bullseye
Bethel’s return as Dex — who’s presumed to fully evolve into Bullseye this season — suggests a darker, more psychologically charged threat, making Jessica Jones’s no-nonsense approach more necessary than ever.
What Ritter Had to Say
On stage, Ritter said:
“It’s so great to be back, returning to Jessica after three seasons and The Defenders, and now joining the MCU. I’m so excited to bring back this iconic character, and without giving too much away, there is much more in store for Jessica Jones. This is going to be an incredible season.”
Ritter has remained vocal in interviews over the years about her desire to revisit the character, even teasing fans on social media with cryptic selfies in Jessica’s signature leather jacket and boots. Now, it’s officially canon.
What to Expect Next
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is currently filming and is slated to premiere on Disney+ in March 2026. The season is expected to consist of 8 episodes, a change from the originally planned 18-episode format. This tighter structure aims to deliver a more focused narrative, according to Marvel Studios’ new showrunning philosophy.
This return is more than just nostalgic fanfare — it’s a symbolic move. Bringing Jessica Jones back shows that Marvel is ready to embrace the darker, character-driven storytelling that made the Netflix shows stand out. With more mature themes, gritty action, and beloved characters back in play, Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again is shaping up to be one of the MCU’s most anticipated TV events.
Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones isn’t just coming back — she’s coming back to change everything.
Looking Back: The Biggest TV Trends and Breakout Shows of 2024
Now that 2024 is behind us, it’s clear that the year marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of television. Streaming giants and legacy networks alike pushed creative boundaries, delivering a mix of innovative new series and fan-favorite continuations. From Hulu’s genre-bending “Interior Chinatown” to the lingering cultural shadow of Netflix’s “Wednesday,” which wrapped filming for its 2025 return, TV in 2024 was a playground of experimentation and excellence. Breakout hits like “Shōgun,” “Baby Reindeer,” and “The Penguin” dominated headlines and ignited online conversation, reaffirming television’s central role in global storytelling.
2024 was defined by genre variety, fresh narrative techniques, and a renewed emphasis on character-driven drama. Period pieces, dark comedies, sci-fi thrillers, and grounded dramas all shared the spotlight. Paramount+ flexed its narrative muscle with “Landman” and the concluding season of “Evil,” while traditional network staples like “Abbott Elementary” proved they could still thrive in a streaming-dominated world.
Key Takeaways
- 2024 delivered critical standouts like “Shōgun,” “Baby Reindeer,” and “Interview with the Vampire,” which spanned genres and platforms.
- Streaming platforms—especially Netflix, Hulu, and Paramount+—were the year’s driving creative forces.
- Several top 2024 shows are now in production for their 2025 seasons, including “Wednesday,” “The Bear,” and “House of the Dragon.”
TV creators in 2024 boldly played with form and genre. Elevated production values, serialized storytelling, and even interactive components all found new footing. Whether rooted in fiction or fact, shows increasingly pushed for immersive, cinematic experiences that blurred the lines between television and film.
Docuseries Dominated Viewer Attention
2024 saw a major rise in the popularity of docuseries, particularly in the realms of true crime, tech exposés, and sports investigations. Platforms poured resources into sleekly produced, multi-episode deep dives, and audiences responded. This wasn’t just bingeable content—it was appointment television.
Series focused on everything from startup fraud to celebrity downfall stories became social media talking points. Many were praised for their sophisticated visuals, narrative pacing, and emotional punch. The best examples struck a perfect balance between entertainment and informative storytelling.
The docuseries boom proved that viewers crave real stories told with the same care and intensity as prestige dramas. These shows weren’t just filling gaps—they were reshaping TV’s storytelling potential.
Historical Dramas Returned with Power and Prestige
Historical dramas came roaring back in 2024, driven largely by the massive success of FX’s “Shōgun.” A visual and thematic triumph, “Shōgun” delivered a historically authentic yet modernly resonant retelling of James Clavell’s epic novel. Its influence could be felt across the genre.
Increased budgets enabled showrunners to create immersive, period-accurate worlds—complete with elaborate costuming and painstaking set design. These shows weren’t just beautiful; they used history as a lens for current issues, such as cultural identity, colonialism, and gender dynamics.
As platforms look for prestige content, expect historical storytelling to remain a creative hotbed well into 2025 and beyond.
Reality TV Reinvented Itself
Reality television in 2024 embraced innovation like never before. Interactive voting, semi-scripted narratives, and cross-cultural casts all contributed to the genre’s continued relevance. From socially conscious challenges to global competition formats, reality TV reflected a world in flux.
Advanced tech added flair—augmented reality, cinematic drone shots, and split-screen storytelling made reality shows feel more polished and immersive. At the same time, the genre didn’t shy away from deeper topics, weaving in themes of climate change, justice reform, and mental health awareness.
Reality TV’s biggest 2024 surprise was the mainstream success of shows that blended sincerity with spectacle. The genre may never be the same.
2024’s Defining TV Premieres
The class of 2024 featured some of the boldest and most-talked-about series in recent memory. These shows didn’t just attract viewers—they set new standards for what television can achieve.
Platform Highlights
Netflix thrived with hits like “Ripley,” a haunting, gorgeously shot thriller starring Andrew Scott, and “Baby Reindeer,” which blurred the lines between memoir and fiction. Hulu continued to innovate with “Interior Chinatown,” while Apple TV+ impressed with “Bad Monkey,” a genre-defying crime comedy anchored by Jon Hamm.
Disney+ found critical success with “Andor,” solidifying it as a mature standout in the Star Wars universe. Meanwhile, HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 2 and “House of the Dragon” Season 2 remained the gold standard for epic, emotional storytelling.
Crime, Thrillers & Prestige Dramas
CBS’s “FBI” franchise continued to dominate Tuesday primetime, while FX delivered edgy thrillers that kept viewers on edge. “Wolf Hall” returned triumphantly, reaffirming its status as one of television’s smartest historical dramas.
Limited series tackled dark and complex cases, often with ripped-from-the-headlines themes and strong critical support. 2024’s thrillers weren’t just gripping—they were socially relevant and cinematically ambitious.
Comedies and Dramedies That Connected
“Abbott Elementary” maintained its status as broadcast TV’s crown jewel. On the other end of the spectrum, “The Bear” delivered another anxiety-laced season of restaurant chaos and raw emotional catharsis. Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” proved that mystery and comedy still make a killer combo in Season 4.
“The English Teacher” offered a sharp new take on workplace comedies, while “The Traitors” redefined reality game shows with psychological drama and high production values. Comedy in 2024 wasn’t just about laughs—it was about saying something meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the most talked-about Netflix shows in 2024?
“Squid Game” Season 2 captured global attention again, while “Bridgerton” Season 3 and the ambitious sci-fi series “3 Body Problem” kept Netflix in the cultural spotlight.
Which HBO series made waves in 2024?
HBO stood strong with “The Last of Us” Season 2, “The White Lotus” Season 3, and the return of “House of the Dragon.” These shows remained at the center of the prestige TV conversation.
What new NBC shows stood out in 2024?
“The Irrational” offered a fresh psychological twist on crime drama. “St. Denis Medical” and “Found” added range to NBC’s lineup, with a mix of humor, heart, and social relevance.
Which shows were buzzworthy across streaming platforms?
Prime Video’s “Rings of Power” Season 2 and Showtime’s “Yellowjackets” Season 3 both generated major fan excitement. Disney+ also made noise with “Daredevil: Born Again.”
Were there any standout true crime releases?
FX’s “American Crime Story: Studio 54,” HBO’s “The Jinx – Part Two,” and Apple TV+’s “City in Fear” led a strong class of riveting, stylized, and often shocking true crime series in 2024.
What were the highest-rated shows announced for 2024?
“Severance” Season 2, “The Bear” Season 3, and “Only Murders in the Building” Season 4 all earned critical acclaim and audience devotion, reinforcing their place among modern television’s elite offerings.
