Another actor from Marvel Television’s Daredevil is returning in Daredevil: Born Again, despite initially being recast in the upcoming MCU project.

Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock and Daredevil in his black costume

Another returning actor in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series sets a huge record that hasn’t been touched in the 16-year history of the MCU. Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again was confirmed to be in development for Disney+ in May 2022, bringing back Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio as Matt Murdock’s Daredevil and Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin from Marvel Television’s Daredevil series. The series is the first to continue Marvel Television’s Defenders Saga following the popular Netflix shows being confirmed to be canon to the MCU, and several actors from the previous Daredevil series have been confirmed to be returning.

Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio and Jon Bernthal were revealed to be returning in the cast of Daredevil: Born Again early on, with the latter reprising his role of Frank Castle’s Punisher. However, following the September 2023 creative overhaul of Daredevil: Born Again, the series transformed into a bona fide continuation of Marvel Television’s Daredevil, with several other actors being confirmed to return. Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson and Wilson Bethel are returning as Karen Page, Foggy Nelson and Benjamin Poindexter, a.k.a. Bullseye, respectively, but one other returning actor breaks a massive MCU record, following her initial recast in Born Again.

Daredevil’s Original Vanessa Fisk Actor Has Returned For Born Again

Ayelet Zurer as Vanessa at the gallery in Daredevil season 1

Ayelet Zurer debuted as Vanessa Marianna, an art gallery curator, in Daredevil season 1, episode 3, “Rabbit in a Snowstorm.” Vanessa formed a quick and close bond with Wilson Fisk, and eventually became actively embroiled in his criminal empire. Vanessa and Wilson married in Daredevil season 3’s finale, “A New Napkin,” though their futures were left uncertain after Daredevil’s 2018 cancelation. While Vincent D’Onofrio was confirmed to be returning as Wilson Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again following his appearance in Hawkeye, Ayelet Zurer initially wasn’t, as Vanessa Fisk was set to be recast in the upcoming MCU Phase 5 series.

In March 2023, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Sandrine Holt had been cast as Vanessa Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again, with Ayelet Zurer noting that she was “sad to not take part.” However, new set photos released in April 2024 showed Vincent D’Onofrio and Ayelet Zurer filming scenes as Wilson and Vanessa Fisk for Daredevil: Born Again, confirming that she would, in fact, be reprising the role. While this means Sandrine Holt is no longer attached to the series, Zurer’s return further solidifies Born Again as a continuation of Daredevil, and sets another impressive record in the MCU’s 16-year history.

Ayelet Zurer Is The First Original MCU Actor To Return To Their Role

Ayelet Zurer as Vanessa on a date with Wilson Fisk in Daredevil season 1

Over the years, several MCU characters have been recast for new actors, but Ayelet Zurer is the first recast actor in the franchise’s history who has returned to their role after initially being recast. Notably, Terrence Howard was replaced by Don Cheadle, Edward Norton was replaced by Mark Ruffalo, Ant-Man’s daughter, Cassie Lang, has been recast several times, and villains Thanos and the Red Skull have also been recast. Thaddeus Ross will also be portrayed by Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World following William Hurt’s tragic passing, but none of these prominent previous recasts have ever been reversed.

Ayelet Zurer’s portrayal of Vanessa Fisk was celebrated in Marvel Television’s Daredevil series, so there was some criticism when she was initially recast. However, the reversal of this decision means that Zurer and D’Onofrio will be able to develop their dynamic as Vanessa and Wilson Fisk even further, six years after they were last seen together in Daredevil season 3. Zurer’s return suggests Daredevil: Born Again will be an honest-to-goodness continuation of Daredevil, cementing the Defenders Saga in the MCU’s canon, and proves that Marvel Studios is actually taking its major creative overhaul of the MCU’s Disney+ TV shows seriously.