One of the most unique dynamics to come out of Netflix’s side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been between Frank Castle/The Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll). When Frank debuted in Daredevil‘s second season, the pair quickly formed a bond, largely based on the emotional trauma both have endured.
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As Woll recently explained to ScreenRant, the pair’s onscreen dynamic will only further develop with this fall’s The Punisher spinoff – creating something that Karen doesn’t quite have with her coworker and occasional love interest, Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox).
“I think if anything, it’s easier for Karen to sympathize with Frank than it is with Matt in some ways, because Karen in a lot of ways is more like Frank. You know, she killed the guy who kidnapped her and threatened all the people that she loved and didn’t really think twice about it – and then she covered it up, and didn’t tell anyone about it.”
While Woll was hesitant to say if the dynamic between Karen and Frank will turn platonic or romantic within The Punisher, she expressed excitement towards developing an entirely new dynamic between two established Marvel Comics characters.
“I love, love, love working with Jon [Bernthal]. I think what we found with Frank and Karen is really unique, obviously has never been done in the comics, so it really belongs to us in the Netflix world.”
But with the Netflix world coming to a head in this month’s The Defenders, Woll revealed that things might not be as peachy in the next onscreen meeting of Karen and Matt.
Karen & Matt
With Matt revealing his alter-ego to Karen at the end of Daredevil‘s second season, many have wondered what will be next for the pair in The Defenders. According to Woll, while fans will see the two further evolve as a couple, they might not be able to reach the bond that Karen already has with Frank.
“Now, clearly,” Woll explained, “I think the relationship growth for Karen and Matt will be ‘How can they really open up and show their true self to each other?’ And in a way, I think she’s already there with Frank.”
As Woll explained, Matt’s approach to being a vigilante – and dealing with the guilt that comes along with it – might be what draws Karen to Frank instead.
“I mean, Karen’s a vigilante more akin to Frank in many ways than to Matt, who has his religiousness and his righteousness that is sort of pulling him in many directions. I think in some ways, Karen can’t be really honest about who she is with Matt in a way that she can be with Frank.”
Marvel’s The Punisher will premiere on Netflix later this year.
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Image Credit: Netflix
