‘Daredevil’ Netflix Series Cast and Release Date: Charlie Cox Set as Marvel's New ‘Daredevil’

Jun 01, 2014 09:08 PM EDT

Charlie Cox will soon don the hero's mask in the 'Daredevil' TV series, the current joint project by Netflix and Marvel Comics.

The English actor is better known for his leading role as Tristan Thorne in Stardust. More recently, Cox starred in a supporting role in HBO's Boardwalk Empire as Owen Sleater, 'Nucky' Thompson's soft-spoken enforcer.

Cox will star as Matt Murdock, a New York City lawyer who has been blind since childhood. Murdock cannot see, but he still possesses the ability to sense his environment better than any normal human being. This ability allows Murdock to move around the city without the benefit of sight. Moonlighting as 'Daredevil,' Murdock uses his ability to fight crime.

Every superhero drama is not complete without arch-villains, and in this case 'Daredevil' comics have two -- Kingpin and Bullseye. At this time, neither Netflix nor Marvel have said whether these two iconic bad guys will feature in the series.

'Daredevil' is just the first of the four Marvel characters that Netflix is planning to bring to the live screen. As part of a recent deal, Netflix and Marvel is discussing a live adaptation for three other comic book characters -- Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage.

Although 'Daredevil' technically belongs to Marvel, Netflix deserves some credit for rebooting the iconic hero. The previous live-action adaptation, 'Daredevil' (2003) starring Ben Affleck, was universally panned by critics and the Marvel fanbase. Curiously, Ben Affleck has been invited by Marvel's arch-rival, DC Comics, to star as Batman in the upcoming 'Batman vs. Superman' film. Hopefully, Affleck will fare better as the Caped Crusader.

Marvel is certainly leaving an increasingly larger footprint in Hollywood, and has developed similar comic-book adaptations have included films such as Iron Man, Captain American, Thor, Spider Man, and the Incredible Hulk. These films culminated into the highly-successful blockbuster feature 'Avengers', and the more recent Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series. An 'Agent Cart' spinoff of the Captain America series is in the works, and will premiere sometime next year on ABC.

Filming for 'Daredevil' will primarily take place on location in New York City -- the same setting where the original comic book story takes place. Filming is reportedly to begin this summer. Netflix has yet to announce the premiere date, but it is has been speculated that the 13-episode series will be ready by next year.