Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again season 2, episode 1!

Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again introduces a new character, Mr. Charles, played by Matthew Lillard. He is one of the few new faces in this season, marking his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the first episode.

The cast of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 features returning stars: Charlie Cox as Daredevil, Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Ayelet Zurer as Vanessa Fisk, Wilson Bethel as Bullseye, Michael Gandolfini as Daniel Blake, Margarita Levieva as Heather Glenn, Genneya Walton as BB Urich, and others.

Lillard’s Mr. Charles quickly makes an impression. With the introduction of a new character in the MCU, questions about their comic history arise. Given Mr. Charles’s shady and secretive nature, there is room for speculation about potential plot twists.

What Has Daredevil: Born Again Revealed About Mr. Charles?

Daredevil: Born Again introduces Mr. Charles after Daredevil causes the Northern Star to sink before it can deliver Fisk’s secret weapons load. He is in Washington, D.C., when he receives a call from someone (more on that later) and agrees to travel to New York to address the situation.

Once he becomes part of the larger story, Daredevil: Born Again demonstrates that Mr. Charles is a significant figure in this world. A phone call from his superior grants him access to Mayor Fisk’s office and compels the attorney general to retract his concerns regarding the mayor’s operations. Lillard’s character is charismatic, skilled in logistics, and unafraid to confront anyone, including Fisk.

Who Does Mr. Charles Work For?

A subtle Easter egg in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, episode 1 references “Miss de Fontaine,” known as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Thunderbolts*.

This reference confirms that Mr. Charles works for Valentina within the MCU. He mentions being from Langley, which is corroborated shortly after when the CIA Director calls the attorney general and affirms that Lillard’s character is welcome in the mayor’s office.

Valentina sent Mr. Charles to New York to assist Fisk in managing the public fallout so she can continue utilizing his port. Their phone conversation suggests a good rapport between them, and Mr. Charles seems comfortable engaging in her illicit activities.

Is Mr. Charles a Character in Marvel Comics?

Technically, yes. There is a character named Mr. Charles in Marvel Comics who was associated with an illegal drilling operation on one of Roxxon’s boats but only appeared in a single issue outside of main continuity.

Mr. Charles made his only appearance in AAFES #15 in 2013, part of Marvel’s exclusive series for Army and Air Force Exchange Services, which produced 16 issues from 2008 to 2013.

The version of Mr. Charles in Daredevil: Born Again shares some similarities with the comic character but lacks substantial background due to the limited comic appearance.

This raises the possibility that Lillard’s character may not be intended as an MCU adaptation of such an obscure comic reference. The shared name could be coincidental or part of a larger narrative concealing Mr. Charles’s true identity.

It seems unlikely that an actor like Lillard would be cast without a more significant role tied to Marvel comics history. He has starred in major films like Scream and Five Nights at Freddy’s. While he could play an entirely original character for the MCU, other possibilities for his identity exist.

Could Mr. Charles Be a Cover Name?

In season 2, episode 1 of Daredevil: Born Again, this potential twist is hinted at during a conversation with Fisk and Vanessa when Mr. Charles states, “I am what I am,” to which she replies, “I doubt that very much.” She concludes by saying, “or whatever your name is” after referring to him as Mr. Charles.

This could indicate that this is merely his cover name while his true identity remains significant for comic readers. Speculating on who Lillard’s character might actually be opens up several intriguing possibilities based on comic lore.

A compelling theory suggests that Lillard could be portraying Mister Fear, a longstanding adversary of Daredevil who employs fear gas against enemies.

While none have been CIA agents before adopting this supervillain persona, it’s plausible that “Mr. Charles,” being a CIA employee close to Valentina, may discover or develop fear-inducing gas during his missions.

The show already hints at characters addressing him as “Mr.” making it easy to envision this becoming part of his villainous title. Additionally, there’s potential for combining him with Charles Boroughs—a serial killer linked to Mister Fear’s plots against Daredevil—thus using “Charles” as a possible alias.

An alternative option worth considering is Henry Gyrich—a government official with various roles across comics—including SWORD and Thunderbolts—who could be hidden within this narrative until his significance becomes clearer later on.

Ultimately, it remains possible that “Mr. Charles” is simply who he claims—a CIA agent allied with Valentina—yet further appearances throughout season two should reveal more about whether he truly is who he presents himself to be or not.

[nospin]Here you can find the original article along with photos used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution.[nospin]

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Follow us

Save