Marvel Entertainment has released the first stills from the upcoming second season of the popular Netflix drama Daredevil. It appears that the photos were intended to debut in Entertainment Weekly‘s preview issue, released yesterday. However, scans from a few of the magazine’s pages hit the internet early, showing new characters Frank Castle (aka Punisher) and Elektra. 

First look at Elektra in daredevil season 2 #Daredevil pic.twitter.com/HsMWErsRiJ

— Comic News (@News2Comic) December 29, 2015

https://twitter.com/devincf/status/681665410098319360

After the images above made the rounds on social media, Marvel Entertainment and Netflix opted to release all of the images on their own.

Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment

The first two photos seem to feature Frank Castle (played by Jon Bernthal), also known as Punisher. While not wearing his comic book costume, this could be the way producers have opted to adapt it to the the world they’re trying to build. Castle is a morally complex character, at the best of times, which is something co-showrunner Doug Petrie said they were going to continue in the series. Castle’s character will be a vigilante with a similar goal as Daredevil’s, but with a more lethal approach. 

Viewers watching the show will be rooting for this guy with a gun, but we’re also going to force people – the way we force Matt – to second-guess themselves. Taking lethal justice into your own hands in America in 2015 is tricky shit. We have not shied away from the rich complicated reality of Now. If you’ve got a gun and you’re not the police you’re going to incite strong feelings. We’re stirring the pot and we’re aware of the headlines where we live and we’re trying to get people to think.

Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment

It might be too early to tell, but this suit looks a bit darker (thought it could be the lighting) than the one worn at the end of the first season. Perhaps a battle with Punisher, or one of the numerous villains rumoured to make appearances in this season, necessitated an upgrade?

Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment

While it looks like Matt Murdock and Karen Page will finally find some romance, nothing is ever that simple for the man without fear. 

Marvel Entertainment

This last photo is of Elodie Yung as Elektra, either without her costume or before acquiring it. Elektra was referenced in season one as a former girlfriend of Matt’s; one with whom he shared a complicated relationship. Her appearance in season two is sure to cause further complications for Matt, both “professionally” and personally. Petrie says that the reason is due to Matt being a “deeply morally complicated guy”. Elektra, on the other hand, is “just the best bad girlfriend you can possibly have”. 

She does everything wrong and attractive, she’s his id, the wild side. Matt is always taming his wild side. Elektra just lets it out. He’s both repulsed and deeply drawn to that. 

Daredevil season 2 also stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, and Elden Henson as Foggy. The series will return to Netflix in 2016.