Showrunner explains why Karen Page didnt appear in Daredevil: Born Again

The opening moments of Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again land with the force of a knockout blow, as Foggy Nelson is gunned down by Bullseye mere minutes into the premiere. That one scene in Daredevil: Born Again might finally explain Foggy Nelson’s absence, and fans have been poring over every detail to make sense of Matt Murdock’s shattered world.

In the comics, Foggy once faked his death to slip into FBI witness protection—an arc that seems hinted at when the Nelson Murdock & Page law firm’s building is emblazoned with the number 468, a clear wink to Daredevil vol. 2 #88, in which Foggy survives and goes undercover. With Matt stripped of his closest ally so brutally, viewers are left wondering if this is really the end for Foggy—or just the beginning of a more elaborate disappearance.

Karen Page’s vanishing act, according to Daredevil: Born Again's showrunner

When the series underwent its mid‑production overhaul, one of the first edicts from showrunner Dario Scardapane was clear: you can’t remove Karen Page and Foggy Nelson without a story that rings true. Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen shows up in the season premiere only to vanish in subsequent episodes, a choice Scardapane defended as essential to Matt’s emotional state.

Even though both Woll and Elden Henson were confirmed to be back after the creative rethink, most of their scenes were trimmed from season 1 to preserve narrative momentum and heighten the shock of their departures. As Scardapane told IGN,

“Karen Page is the heart and soul of this universe, and in this Daredevil mythology. And, Karen’s interaction with our story in this season and beyond is huge”.

By pulling Karen out of Matt’s orbit, the showrunner has crafted a void that pushes Matt to his psychological brink—setting up an eventual reunion that carries real dramatic weight.

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From Hell’s Kitchen to San Francisco: Karen’s early impact and hinted comeback in Daredevil: Born Again

Long before her brief cameo in Daredevil: Born Again, Karen Page was the moral compass and investigative engine of the Netflix series, transforming from secretary to the bulletproof reporter at the New York Bulletin and playing a pivotal role in exposing Wilson Fisk’s corruption. Some believe that Karen’s tenacity and partnership with Matt and Foggy helped define the tone and stakes of the original show, making her return non‑negotiable for Disney+’s revival.

In the season 1 finale, fans spotted a sly reference suggesting her fate isn’t sealed: a graffiti tag reading “PAGE” slashed across Fisk’s office—an Easter egg whispering that Karen’s story isn’t over yet. On top of that, the same building number nod to Foggy’s comic book survival hints that both he and Karen may pop back up when the dust settles in Daredevil: Born Again. Director Aaron Moorhead even addressed the fan theory head‑on:

“Dying very often does mean that you’re actually dead,” he said, but added that the show’s grounded approach to consequences might still leave room for surprises.

And according to the series’ Wikipedia page, Marvel Studios has already confirmed that Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson will reappear in season 2—each “in different ways,” as executive producer Sana Amanat put it.

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Ultimately, Daredevil: Born Again is playing a high‑stakes game of illusion and promise. By ejecting Karen Page and Foggy Nelson from Matt’s life so abruptly, the showrunner has engineered a powerful absence that makes their return feel like an event rather than an afterthought. And given the layers of nods and teases scattered throughout, it’s only a matter of time before Hell’s Kitchen’s golden duo swing back into action, ready to rewrite the rules of justice once more.

Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.