The return of Daredevil: Born Again marks a decade since Vincent D’Onofrio first stepped into the role of Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin. Yet even after ten years of portraying one of Marvel’s most complex villains, D’Onofrio says his learning process is far from over.
“Every day on set, something new happens,” D’Onofrio explained in an interview with Gold Derby during a filming break for Season 2. “You either fail and grow or succeed and grow. I’m constantly evolving with Fisk. That never stops.”
A New Chapter for Kingpin
Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again introduced a bold new arc for Kingpin: Fisk runs for and wins the office of Mayor of New York City. In the premiere episode, he assures Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) that he’s left behind his criminal ways. But for D’Onofrio, the idea of Fisk becoming a reformed man was never convincing.
“You can’t just turn these characters into good people overnight,” D’Onofrio noted. “Placing someone like Fisk—who thrives in the shadows—into the spotlight created inner conflict. I could feel his frustration, and honestly, I shared it. But that tension made for compelling storytelling.”
Vanessa Fisk Returns – With a Twist
The emotional depth of Kingpin’s story is amplified through his relationship with his wife, Vanessa Fisk. After an initial casting change during the show’s revamp, Ayelet Zurer—who portrayed Vanessa in the original Netflix series—resumed the role. Her return helped preserve the emotional continuity between the two versions of the character.
“Ayelet Zurer is incredible,” D’Onofrio said. “Vanessa is key to understanding Wilson Fisk—not just as a villain, but as a man. Her influence defines him, much like in the comics.”
In Daredevil: Born Again, Vanessa takes on a darker role. While Fisk was away (as depicted in Echo), she managed his criminal empire and encouraged him to return to his Kingpin identity, even while serving as mayor.
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Humanizing the Villain
D’Onofrio believes that giving Fisk emotional depth makes him more terrifying.
“When you show a ‘bad guy’ as someone human and relatable, it makes him more dangerous,” he explained. “Fisk doesn’t see himself as a villain. I see him as broken. That duality is what makes him compelling.”
Real-World Parallels?
With Daredevil: Born Again portraying a corrupt mayor, some viewers have drawn comparisons to real-life political scandals, including the indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. However, D’Onofrio dismissed any intentional parallels.
“I have my personal views, but they don’t affect my work,” he said. “If the story resonates with real-world events, that just means it’s powerful storytelling. If people react emotionally—positively or negatively—that’s the sign of a good story.”
What’s Next for Kingpin?
Season 1 of Daredevil: Born Again is now streaming on Disney+, with Season 2 currently in production. As Fisk’s journey continues, D’Onofrio remains committed to uncovering new layers within the character—one scene at a time.
