The Walking Dead: Jon Bernthal’s Rise to Superhero Stardom
Throughout its decade-plus run, AMC’s The Walking Dead franchise has consistently showcased serious acting talent. Even now, with the original show concluded and spinoffs continuing, the series attracts high-profile stars – both from within the TWD universe and from other iconic TV shows and films. Consider Stephen Merchant’s appearance in Daryl Dixon or Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s ongoing presence in Dead City. However, the franchise has also been instrumental in creating stars.
The TWD Family truly lives up to its name, with many familiar faces coming and going over the saga’s 16-year history. The show has been a launching pad for several actors, transforming them into household names. And now, one of the biggest success stories is set to return to the screen next month, reprising his most famous role.
The Punisher Returns
The Walking Dead legend Jon Bernthal is officially bringing The Punisher back to our screens next month in the first of two appearances as the character this year. Marvel Studios confirmed in March that Bernthal’s intense Frank Castle will headline his long-awaited Disney Plus Special Presentation, The Punisher: One Last Kill, on May 5, 2026.
This Special Presentation is the first MCU Special Presentation since 2022, and anticipation is incredibly high, fueled by fans’ eagerness to see Bernthal’s vengeful vigilante back in action. His return was set in motion when he reprised the role in the first season of Daredevil: Born Again last year, marking his first time playing Frank in four years.
From Netflix to the MCU
Bernthal originally played The Punisher in the Marvel Netflix shows, debuting in Daredevil season 2 in 2016 and subsequently leading two seasons of his own spinoff. Initially, it was unclear whether these shows were officially canon to the MCU. While they seemed to fit, Marvel Studios’ films hadn’t acknowledged them. However, when the Netflix deal ended and those shows were cancelled, Marvel found a way to integrate Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin into the Multiverse Saga, confirming the Netflix shows’ place in the MCU timeline. Daredevil: Born Again officially cemented this connection, paving the way for The Punisher’s return.
While he won’t be appearing in Born Again season 2, the Disney Plus Special Presentation will stream the week after the Daredevil finale – a fitting arrangement considering the close ties between Daredevil and The Punisher’s original shows.
Plot details remain scarce, but the special is expected to explore Castle’s attempts to leave his violent past behind, only to be inevitably drawn back into it. The infamous Punisher villain, Ma Gnucci, is also expected to feature.
A Massive Year for Bernthal
And this isn’t Bernthal’s only MCU appearance this year. He will reprise the role again in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. His appearance in the film’s first trailer, showcasing a widely acclaimed scene, has audiences excited to see him share the screen with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.
He’ll also star alongside Holland in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated The Odyssey, promising to be one of the biggest films of the year – capping off a monumental year for Bernthal. He’s already made waves on the small screen this year with his role in Netflix’s His & Hers, alongside fellow Marvel star Tessa Thompson. The show quickly became a streaming sensation.
The Walking Dead: Where it All Began
There’s no denying that Bernthal is a major star today, renowned for his intense and committed performances. But his breakthrough role came with his equally intense and committed performance as Shane Walsh on The Walking Dead – widely recognized as the role that brought him mainstream attention and ultimately led to opportunities like The Punisher.
Shane’s tumultuous arc on TWD is considered both legendary and infamous. He quickly evolved from Rick Grimes’ best friend to his most dangerous enemy over just two seasons. The escalating conflict ultimately led Rick to kill him to protect his own life and the lives of their group. Bernthal departed the show, but not before a cameo in Rick’s final episode as a series regular, appearing in a dream sequence before the hero’s exit.
Bernthal is no stranger to iconic roles, and now he’s back on both the small and silver screens as his most celebrated character. Prepare yourselves: Frank Castle is back! The Punisher: One Last Kill streams on Disney Plus on May 5, 2026.
