WARNING: This contains spoilers for all The Defenders shows.
Daredevil and all of the Marvel shows previously on Netflix are now streaming on Disney+, allowing viewers to see how The Defenders universe had connectivity comparable to the one in the MCU. Starting in 2015 with Daredevil, Marvel's Netflix shows quickly evolved into a shared universe made of six shows, multiple seasons, and countless characters. The last entry in that universe was Daredevil season 3, released in October 2018.
Ever since Daredevil season 1 was released on Netflix, audiences have been wondering whether those shows are effectively canon to the MCU. Although there hasn't been a completely solid answer on this matter, characters like Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk have finally started to pop up in the MCU.
Those discussions will be reignited now that Netflix's Marvel shows moved to Disney+. While Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and The Punisher are the most well-known names in The Defenders universe, Netflix's Marvel series has managed to make viewers care about many of the supporting characters. Even with several names from the comics and also original characters appearing in each show, the shows have always found space for crossovers. Here's a rundown of all the characters that have appeared in crossovers with other shows in The Defenders universe.
Daredevil was the character that started the Netflix universe of Marvel characters. If The Defenders' pocket universe were to be compared to the MCU, then Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock was just as important to those shows as Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark was to the movies. Daredevil season 1 sees Daredevil already in action and making a name for himself in Hell's Kitchen. While flashbacks showed a lot of Matt and Foggy's backstory - to the point where many viewers may feel like they've known the characters for a long time - Daredevil season 1 wasn't an origin story, and already placed the audience right in the middle of the action. Daredevil season 2 would see the more realistic threats from the previous season give way to the mysterious Hand, its soldiers, and the Black Sky. It is through this more mystical plotline that Matt Murdock was integrated into the story of The Defenders, the crossover series that brought together Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist. Initially acting only as Jessica Jones' lawyer, Matt Murdock realized that there were more dangers to the story than he had realized and found himself forced to put on the Daredevil mask again. Matt would return for Daredevil season 3 picking up where things left off in The Defenders.
The second character in that universe to have a series, Krysten Ritter's Jessica Jones didn't necessarily want to answer the call to the hero's journey. Introduced as a private investigator capable of uncovering anyone's dirt, Jessica Jones was hiding special abilities she received as a result of an experiment. Jones used her powers to get information that no one else could, and that was put to good use by one of her most loyal clients, attorney Jeri Hogarth. After Jessica Jones season 1, the character would jump right into the crossover series The Defenders. Initially following the trail of what appeared to be a common case, Jessica Jones ended up tangling with the Hand's conspiracy by finding a series of explosives and bumping into Elektra Natchios. Jessica would then be arrested by Misty Knight and meet her lawyer Matt Murdock.
Formerly known as Carl Lucas, Luke Cage was introduced in Jessica Jones season 1 as Jessica's love interest. However, the character played by Mike Colter would later discover the terrible truth that Jessica Jones had killed his wife, Reva Connors, who Luke believed had died in a bus accident. Luke would move to Harlem after the emotional roller coaster in Jessica Jones, and that would kick off the story of Luke Cage season 1. The hero's first year of solo adventures would end with Luke Cage going back to prison to serve his original sentence, and the character would then be seen again in The Defenders. In the crossover series, Luke Cage was released from prison with the help of his lawyer Foggy Nelson, and soon after he found himself in the middle of the Hand's conspiracy while investigating the death of a person he knew. Luke Cage's story would then continue in Luke Cage season 2.
Danny Rand, aka the Immortal Iron Fist, received the classic superhero origin story in Iron Fist season 1. Years after being presumed dead, Danny Rand returned to New York with years of martial arts experience and knowledge about the dangers of the Hand. Iron Fist would return as an important part of The Defenders, a show that began precisely with him and Colleen facing Hand's cells all over the world only to discover that the organization's main move would take place in New York. It was on Defenders that Danny Rand met his long-time comic book companion Luke Cage, and the Immortal Iron Fist would appear in Luke Cage season 2, episode 10 before returning for Iron Fist season 2.
The Marvel universe on Netflix may have started with Matt, but it was Claire Temple who really connected all the shows. Except for The Punisher, Rosario Dawson's character has appeared in every series in the Netflix Marvel Universe. Introduced in Daredevil season 1, episode 2, Claire used her skills as a nurse to patch an injured Matt Murdock up. Claire would return in Jessica Jones season 1, episode 13, helping Jessica Jones and Luke Cage in the hospital. After appearing again in Daredevil season 2, Claire would return to Harlem and reconnect with Luke Cage in Luke Cage season 1. During Luke's imprisonment, Claire would appear in Iron Fist season 1, in which she participated in six episodes as a martial arts student of Colleen's. Claire was also present throughout The Defenders. Clair's last appearance in the "Defendersverse" would be in Luke Cage season 2.
Matt Murdock's best friend, Foggy Nelson, has been on the “Defendesverse” since Daredevil season 1. After discovering that Matt was the Devil of Hell's Kitchen shortly before Daredevil defeated Kingpin, Foggy's confidence in his friend was shaken, but he continued to work with Murdock in Daredevil season 2. By the end of that season, Nelson & Murdock would cease to exist and Foggy would go after a job in a bigger company. That's how he appeared in Jessica Jones season 1, which he was working on for Jeri Hoghart. He also appeared in one episode of Luke Cage season 1 as Luke's attorney and six out of eight The Defenders’ episodes. Daredevil season 3 would be the last appearance of the character played by Elden Henson.
An important part of Daredevil, Karen Page was Nelson & Murdock's first client. After two seasons of learning to become a journalist heir to Ben Urich and facing the worst threats in Hell's Kitchen, Karen appeared again in The Defenders. The next appearance of the character played by Deborah Ann Woll would be in The Punisher season 1, in which she participated in 4 episodes and reconnected with Frank Castle after working on his case in Daredevil season 2. Karen Page would also have a cameo in The Punisher season 2 and return for Daredevil season 3.
One of the most important characters in the Marvel universe to appear in the "Defendersverse", Elektra Natchios was introduced in Daredevil season 2, where she was played by Elodie Yung. While much of Elektra's origins and personality were changed in this version, at least the dynamic between her and Matt Murdock was there. Despite dying in Daredevil season 2, Elektra would be resurrected to become the main villain in The Defenders.
Jon Bernthal made his debut as the Punisher in Daredevil season 2, in which he played a major role. Frank Castle had much of his origins and motivations laid out in Daredevil, but the character would still find out more about the murderer of his family on his own show, The Punisher.
The martial arts teacher who would later become Danny Rand's partner appeared in Iron Fist seasons 1 and 2. She also appeared in The Defenders while fighting The Hand, and in an episode of Luke Cage season 2 alongside Danny. Colleen was played by Jessica Henwick.
The successful lawyer played by Carrie-Anne Moss was an important part of Jessica Jones seasons 1, 2, and 3, as well as appearing in Daredevil season 2 to hire Foggy, in Iron Fist session 2 to help Danny, and as a cameo in The Defenders.
Matt Murdock's mentor, Stick had important appearances in Daredevil seasons 1 and 2 and would go on to play a major role in the fight against the Hand in The Defenders.
Introduced as a crime boss with a sinister aura in Daredevil season 1, Madame Gao was revealed to be one of the founding members of The Hand. She was one of the main villains in Iron Fist season 1 and would return for the conclusion of her story in The Defenders.
After crossing paths with Luke Cage in one of her cases, police officer Misty Knight became an important part of the hero's story in Luke Cage seasons 1 and 2. The character also had a role in The Defenders, in which she lost her arm just like in the comics. Misty Knight also appeared in Iron Fist season 2, in which she reconnected with Colleen.
Raised as Jessica Jones' sister, Trish was introduced in Jessica Jones season 1 and would appear in The Defenders before starring in Jessica Jones season 2.
The criminal that Hell's Kitchen's heroes used to always run into, Turk Barret appeared in Daredevil season 1 and 2, Luke Cage season 1, Punisher season 1, The Defenders, Jessica Jones season 2, Luke Cage season 2, and Iron Fist season 2.
Matt and Foggy's police officer friend. He appeared in all Daredevil seasons as well as Jessica Jones season 1 and Punisher season 2.
One of Wilson Fisk's lawyers. He was in Daredevil seasons 2 and 3 and Luke Cage seasons 1 and 2.
A crime boss who appeared in Iron Fist season 1 and 2 and Luke Cage season 2.
A detective who appeared in Luke Cage season 1 and 2 and Iron Fist season 2, Donnie Chang is the last notable figure to have appeared in more than one of the Daredevil-headed Defenders universe shows.
