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Marvel Cinematic Universe:

Netflix Series (2015-2019)

In 2013, Marvel struck a deal with Netflix to provide the streaming service with four live-action series (starring Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage) that would culminate in a Defenders team-up mini-series. Like ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (which debuted in 2013), the Netflix series would take place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but would focus on street-level characters in New York City.

Following the Netflix tradition at the time of releasing entire seasons on the same day for binge viewing, the first season of Daredevil, focused on the Kingpin, was released in April 2015. The show was quickly renewed for a second season. The first season of Jessica Jones was released in November 2015 and was renewed for a second season not long after. The second season of Daredevil, featuring the Punisher, Elektra, and the Hand, was released in March 2016. In April, Netflix ordered a season of The Punisher, spinning out of Daredevil‘s second season, and in July, Daredevil itself was renewed for a third season. The first season of Luke Cage was released in September 2016 and the first season of Iron Fist in March 2017; both were renewed for a second season, although not as quickly as previous series, and the first season of Iron Fist received some critical scorn.

The Defenders, uniting the Marvel Netflix characters together against the Hand (seen previously in both Daredevil and Iron Fist), debuted in August 2017. Whereas all previous seasons consisted of 13 episodes, The Defenders consisted of only 8 episodes. The Defenders was watched less on Netflix than the other Marvel series, and it was not renewed for a second season. Nonetheless, this marked the culmination of the original plan for the various Netflix series, at which point Netflix had produced some 73 episodes between the five series.

The first season of The Punisher was released in November 2017. After a considerable break between seasons, the second season of Jessica Jones was released in March 2018 and renewed for a third season in April. A second season of Luke Cage was released in June 2018. Its first episode was the 100th episode of the overall Netflix Marvel series, a milestone reached just over three years after the debut of Daredevil. A truncated second season of Iron Fist, running 10 episodes instead of the traditional 13, was released in September 2018. On 12 October, Netflix announced that it had canceled the series, and on 19 October, announced that it had also canceled Luke Cage. Although media coverage often cited declining viewership of the shows, Netflix reportedly had drafts of scripts for a 10-episode third season of Luke Cage, but could not come to terms with Marvel. The third season of Daredevil was released later in October, meaning that 2018 saw the release of one season of all four original shows and was the most productive release year yet. Daredevil was cancelled in late November, however, making 2018 both the most productive and the most catastrophic year ever for the shows. Making matters worse, all three cancelled shows ended with unresolved plots.

Both before and after these cancellations, Netflix mused about producing other shows, spinning out of those it has already produced, including Daughters of the Dragon, starring female characters from Iron Fist, and Heroes for Hire, merging Luke Cage and Iron Fist into a single series (much as Marvel had once done in comics). But the 2018 cancellations increasingly put the future of the Netflix shows in doubt, with some reporting has suggested that Netflix is focusing on other content. In addition, Disney was launching its own streaming service in 2019, leading to speculation that Disney might not wish to have Marvel shows on Netflix. Marvel’s Jeph Loeb speculated that the cancelled Netflix shows could continue or be relaunched on the Disney streaming service. Whether Disney / Marvel, Netflix, or both was to blame for the cancellations, the fact that the flagship series Daredevil had been cancelled seemed to spell the end of the entire project.

A second season of The Punisher debuted in January 2019. Many speculated that it would be cancelled shortly after. In February, Netflix cancelled both The Punisher and Jessica Jones, bringing to an end the Marvel Netflix shows. At the time, the third season of Jessica Jones had not yet been released, nor scheduled for release, marking the first time one of the shows had been cancelled prior to its final season being released. The third season of Jessica Jones is currently slated for release later in 2019.

Overall, the complete Marvel Netflix shows comprise 161 episodes, split over 13 seasons of six different shows: Daredevil (three seasons), Jessica Jones (three seasons), Luke Cage (two seasons), Iron Fist (two seasons, the second of which was truncated to 10 episodes), The Punisher (two seasons), and The Defenders (one truncated season). Structurally, The Defenders marks the culmination of the first half (in which only Daredevil gets two seasons and The Punisher gets none), with everything else falling into a second half (in which only Jessica Jones and The Punisher get two seasons). In terms of quality, Jessica Jones is the clear stand-out, with Daredevil also receiving good reviews; everything else is a mixed bag, to one degree or another.

Daredevil, Season 1

Daredevil Netflix series #1

first episode; occurs after The Avengers; aired 10 Apr 2015

Daredevil Netflix series #2
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #3
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #4
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #5
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #6
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #7
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #8
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #9
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #10
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #11
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #12
aired 10 Apr 2015
Daredevil Netflix series #13
first season finale; aired 10 Apr 2015

Jessica Jones, Season 1

Jessica Jones Netflix series #1

first episode; aired 20 Nov 2015

Jessica Jones Netflix series #2
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #3
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #4
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #5
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #6
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #7
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #8
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #9
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #10
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #11
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #12
aired 20 Nov 2015
Jessica Jones Netflix series #13
first season finale; aired 20 Nov 2015

Daredevil, Season 2

Daredevil Netflix series #14
second season debut; introduces the Punisher; aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #15
aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #16
aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #17
the Punisher is captured; introduces Elektra (cameo); aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #18
includes a brief verbal reference to Jessica Jones; aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #19
aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #20
aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #21
aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #22
the Punisher escapes from prison; reveals the Hand’s blood-draining facility; aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #23
District Attorney Samantha Reyes is killed; Matt Murdock confronts Wilson Fisk in prison; the Hand attacks the hospital; aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #24
the Hand attack on the hospital concludes; aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #25
aired 18 Mar 2016
Daredevil Netflix series #26
occurs (at least partly) on Christmas Eve; second season finale; aired 18 Mar 2016

Luke Cage, Season 1

Luke Cage Netflix series #1

first episode; aired 30 Sept 2016

Luke Cage Netflix series #2
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #3
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #4
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #5
features Claire Temple, after she quit her job at the hospital in Daredevil season 2 (and she remains until the end of the season); aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #6
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #7
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #8
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #9
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #10
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #11
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #12
aired 30 Sept 2016
Luke Cage Netflix series #13
first season finale; aired 30 Sept 2016

Iron Fist, Season 1

Iron Fist Netflix series #1

first episode; Danny Rand returns to New York City; aired 17 Mar 2017

Iron Fist Netflix series #2
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #3
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #4
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #5
Claire Temple appears and refers to the Hand, as well as the attack on the hospital and her quitting her job in Daredevil season 2; aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #6
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #7
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #8
begins with Claire Temple reading a letter from prison, presumably from Luke Cage; aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #9
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #10
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #11
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #12
aired 17 Mar 2017
Iron Fist Netflix series #13
first season finale; aired 17 Mar 2017

The Defenders

The Defenders Netflix series #1

first episode; set a few months after Daredevil’s second season and a month after Iron Fist’s first season; Luke Cage is released from prison (where he went at the end of Luke Cage season 1); aired 18 Aug 2017

The Defenders Netflix series #2
aired 18 Aug 2017
The Defenders Netflix series #3
aired 18 Aug 2017
The Defenders Netflix series #4
aired 18 Aug 2017
The Defenders Netflix series #5
aired 18 Aug 2017
The Defenders Netflix series #6
aired 18 Aug 2017
The Defenders Netflix series #7
aired 18 Aug 2017
The Defenders Netflix series #8

final episode; Daredevil and Elektra are apparently killed; Misty Knight loses an arm; aired 18 Aug 2017

The Punisher, Season 1

The Punisher Netflix series #1

first episode; aired 17 Nov 2017

The Punisher Netflix series #2
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #3
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #4
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #5
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #6
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #7
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #8
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #9
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #10
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #11
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #12
aired 17 Nov 2017
The Punisher Netflix series #13
first season finale; aired 17 Nov 2017

Jessica Jones, Season 2

Jessica Jones Netflix series #14
second season debut; aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #15
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #16
Foggy Nelson briefly appears, having been working at Hogarth’s law firm since the conclusion of Daredevil season 2; aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #17
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #18
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #19
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #20
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #21
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #22
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #23
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #24
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #25
aired 8 Mar 2018
Jessica Jones Netflix series #26
second season finale; aired 8 Mar 2018

Luke Cage, Season 2

Luke Cage Netflix series #14
second season debut; aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #15
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #16
Colleen Wing (from Iron Fist) appears, spending time with Misty Knight; aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #17
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #18
Foggy Nelson (from Daredevil) appears; Misty Knight gets a new arm, thanks to Rand Corporation; aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #19
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #20
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #21
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #22
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #23
Iron Fist appears; aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #24
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #25
aired 22 June 2018
Luke Cage Netflix series #26

final episode; an excellent finale, after a slow season (though superior to the first); ends with Luke Cage running Harlem’s Paradise, essentially the underworld king of Harlem; aired 22 June 2018

Iron Fist, Season 2

Iron Fist Netflix series #14
second season debut; aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #15
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #16
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #17
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #18
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #19
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #20
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #21
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #22
aired 7 Sept 2018
Iron Fist Netflix series #23

final episode; Colleen Wing becomes Iron Fist; Misty Knight references Luke Cage for the first time in the season, saying she didn’t like what she saw, last time she saw him (in the final episode of Luke Cage); despite good overall quality, this final episode ends with one of the most ridiculous scenes in the entire show (and perhaps in the entire larger category of live-action super-heroes); aired 7 Sept 2018

Daredevil, Season 3

Daredevil Netflix series #27
third season debut; aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #28
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #29
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #30
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #31
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #32
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #33
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #34
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #35
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #36
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #37
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #38
aired 19 Oct 2018
Daredevil Netflix series #39

final episode; aired 19 Oct 2018

The Punisher, Season 2

The Punisher Netflix series #14
second season debut; aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #15
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #16
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #17
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #18
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #19
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #20
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #21
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #22
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #23
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #24
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #25
aired 18 Jan 2018
The Punisher Netflix series #26

final episode; aired 18 Jan 2018

Jessica Jones, Season 3

Jessica Jones Netflix series #27
third season debut
Jessica Jones Netflix series #28
Jessica Jones Netflix series #29
Jessica Jones Netflix series #30
Jessica Jones Netflix series #31
Jessica Jones Netflix series #32
Jessica Jones Netflix series #33
Jessica Jones Netflix series #34
Jessica Jones Netflix series #35
Jessica Jones Netflix series #36
Jessica Jones Netflix series #37
Jessica Jones Netflix series #38
Jessica Jones Netflix series #39

final episode


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