It's Time To Admit That This 'Daredevil: Born Again Character' Isn't Coming Back
Daredevil: Born Again (2025) was a huge return to form, not just for the Daredevil franchise but for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. But its resurrection wasn’t without loss, and that came in the death of Matt Murdock’s closest friend, Foggy Nelson.
Not only was the death a shock to fans, but it was also a moment ripped from the comics. Still, because of Foggy Nelson’s fan-favorite nature and his history, fans want him back more than ever. That said, as audiences tune in to watch the show on Disney+ and Hulu, it’s clear that his return would only hurt the show’s impact.
Why Do Fans Want Foggy Back In ‘Daredevil: Born Again’?
When Daredevil: Born Again returned, it started with Matt Murdock, Karen Page, and Foggy Nelson walking to Josie’s Bar to celebrate the retirement of a friend in the NYPD. However, the celebration ends in violence when a recently released Bullseye shoots Foggy in the chest. As Daredevil and Bullseye duke it out on the roof of the bar, Foggy dies of his wounds.
It’s an explosive start to the series and falls in line with a narrative from the comics where Foggy’s death is faked, and he eventually returns. However, there’s also the fan-favorite quality that works as fuel to the fire that Foggy can’t actually be dead in the Disney+ series.
From Daredevil to the flashbacks in Born Again Season 2, Foggy is the rock and heart of Matt Murdock. Even I can’t deny how easy it is to root for someone like him who sticks to his morals and also honors those he loves. It’s why his death hits so hard, and with every rewatch, it only endears him to fans more. Plus, there’s the fact that at the end of Season 3, Foggy had a girlfriend, and even now, no one has seen her or how she’s handled the loss.
Since his death, the cast kept mum on the status of Foggy going into Season 2, making it hard to believe he was actually gone. That said, everything about Born Again leans heavily into the consequences of actions, whether they’re right or wrong. As a result, undoing the fate of Foggy Nelson only hurts that concept when it needs to thrive. More than that, it raises more questions than answers regarding how someone as skilled as Matt could miss even the faintest heartbeat.
Foggy Nelson Can’t Return To ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
As much as I hate to admit it, and secretly hope I’m wrong, Foggy is gone, and he needs to be. His entire death sets the plot of Daredevil: Born Again in motion, as it’s his discovery that compels Vanessa Fisk to hire Bullseye to kill him. This action is also what puts Bullseye on his path of twisted “redemption,” making him think he’s a hero.
Now, no matter what Matt says to himself, he continues to fight for the memory of his friend. Ultimately, Born Again wouldn’t have happened the way it did without Foggy Nelson dying. With that in mind, bringing him back feels too much like fan service rather than servicing the story.
I will always appreciate Foggy’s return in flashbacks, as I’m sure many fans will. But, realistically, anything beyond that delves too far into the realm of comic absurdity, even for a show about a blind man swinging from rooftops. Foggy Nelson’s death was a huge gamble for the Marvel show, but one that ushered in a new era for the MCU that wasn’t afraid to hit hard and leave viewers with their jaws on the floor. While fans continue to ask if he’s really dead, everything is more impactful when the answer is: “Yes.”
But, of course, letting go isn’t easy, and I understand it as much as anyone. Without Foggy, Matt struggles to make the right choices and has to trust in himself for better or worse. But Foggy brought levity to the series that I miss so much in Born Again. To that effect, I would love nothing more than to see Foggy Nelson walk back into Matt’s life with a bad joke and unwavering optimism. For the sake of the narrative, though, that shouldn’t happen.
