Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page returns in Daredevil: Born Again episode 9 just in time to help Matt Murdock and Frank Castle, which was inevitable for all three Marvel characters. Daredevil: Born Again is the first Daredevil installment to feature Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page and Elden Henson’s Foggy Nelson in minor roles. Foggy Nelson’s tragic death kicked off the events of Daredevil: Born Again, but Henson had very limited screentime in episode 1. Meanwhile, Karen Page only appeared in Daredevil: Born Again episodes 1, 2, and 9.
Karen Page’s absence throughout Daredevil: Born Again season 1 may be disappointing for fans of Netflix’s Daredevil, but the MCU series justifies it. Daredevil: Born Again also offers multiple simultaneous subplots that shine the spotlight on characters who wouldn’t have received the same amount of screentime had Daredevil‘s co-protagonists had retained their traditional roles. Luckily, Daredevil: Born Again brings back Karen Page in the finale and promises to give her more to do sooner rather than later.
Why Karen Page Has Been Absent From Daredevil: Born Again Since Episode 1
Both Karen Page And Matt Murdock Needed To Cope With Foggy Nelson’s Death
After witnessing Foggy Nelson’s death in Daredevil: Born Again episode 1 and a brief conversation with Matt Murdock following Benjamin Poindexter’s trial in Daredevil: Born Again episode 2, Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page left the MCU series completely. Right after Foggy’s death, Matt Murdock’s decision to isolate himself led Karen to distance herself from him, rejecting his calls. Naturally, Nelson, Murdock & Page ran its course, and Karen found a new home in San Francisco. While Matt Murdock continues his career alongside Cherry and Kirsten McDuffie in New York, what exactly Karen Page is up to in San Francisco is yet to be revealed.
Scardapane teased Matt and Karen’s reunion, promising that they could “rebond in ways that are surprising and new.” Karen Page’s return in Daredevil: Born Again episode 9 fulfills that promise.
As confirmed by Daredevil: Born Again showrunner Dario Scardapane, Karen Page and Matt Murdock’s estrangement was a sign of their grief, as “families tend to fracture when a loved one passes.” Scardapane teased Matt and Karen’s reunion, promising that they could “rebond in ways that are surprising and new.” Karen Page’s return in Daredevil: Born Again episode 9 fulfills that promise. Karen and Matt not only make it clear that their bond remains intact, but Karen and Frank Castle also realize that their feelings for each other are just as strong and complex years after they last saw each other.
The Original Daredevil: Born Again Plan Didn’t Bring Back Karen Page At All
Karen Page’s Absence Was Only Supposed To Be Mentioned Before The Daredevil: Born Again Overhaul
Before Daredevil: Born Again‘s now infamous overhaul, Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll weren’t part of Daredevil: Born Again season 1’s cast. Details haven’t been confirmed, but it seems like Foggy Nelson would have died off-screen prior to episode 1, and Karen Page would have moved away before the series started as well. Daredevil: Born Again‘s overhaul brought major changes, especially to episodes 1, 8, and 9. In hindsight, Karen Page’s key role in Daredevil: Born Again episodes 1 and 9 was evidently one of the most important changes in this overhaul.
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Why Vanessa Fisk Had Foggy Nelson Killed And How It Connects To Kingpin’s Red Hook Project In Daredevil: Born Again Explained
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In the original plans for Daredevil: Born Again, it’s safe to say Karen Page’s absence would have only been addressed through dialog, and she wouldn’t have had the chance to reconcile with Matt Murdock. Karen would have also missed the chance to reunite with Frank Castle and participate in Matt Murdock’s initiative to assemble a team to oppose Mayor Fisk. Most importantly, the emotional impact of watching Karen Page react to Foggy Nelson’s death on screen would have been lost. The original plans for Daredevil: Born Again season 2 are also unknown, but Karen was unlikely to have the same role she’ll have in the upcoming second season.
Karen Page Will Return In Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
Karen Page Will Have A Bigger Role In Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
Daredevil: Born Again season 2 set footage confirms Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page will appear in the MCU show’s second season, with a new look. Set photos reveal Karen Page will sport bright red, shoulder-length hair, and she’ll seemingly go undercover alongside Matt Murdock at some point. After her return in Daredevil: Born Again season 1 episode 9, Karen Page seems eager to play an active role in Mayor Fisk’s downfall. Karen’s investigative skills may play a key role in Matt Murdock and his army’s insurrection plans. After all, she was already stepping on Fisk’s toes in Netflix’s Daredevil.
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Karen Page won’t be the only Marvel character trying to take Mayor Fisk down with intellect and strategy alone. BB Urich is planning to expose Mayor Fisk and his police task force to avenge her uncle Ben. Unfortunately, Fisk killed Commissioner Gallo before he could help Urich take the mayor down directly. In Netflix’s Daredevil season 1, Karen was coordinating with Ben Urich to stop the Kingpin before the villain murdered Ben with his own hands. In Daredevil: Born Again season 2, Karen Page may be able to help BB Urich fill the gaps left behind by Gallo.
Daredevil: Born Again
9/10
- Release Date
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March 4, 2025
- Showrunner
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Chris Ord
- Directors
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Michael Cuesta, Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Jeffrey Nachmanoff
- Writers
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Chris Ord