Matt Murdock (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Matt Murdock
Matt Murdock
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
	Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil in The Defenders (2017)
First appearance	"Into the Ring"; Daredevil; April 10, 2015;
Based on	Daredevil; by Stan Lee; Bill Everett;
Adapted by	Drew Goddard
Portrayed by	Charlie Cox; Skylar Gaertner (young; Daredevil); Eli D. Goss (young; Born Again);
In-universe information
Full name	Matthew Michael Murdock
Aliases	Daredevil; The Devil of Hell's Kitchen;
Nickname	Matt
Occupation	Lawyer; Vigilante;
Affiliation	Landman & Zack; Defenders; Nelson, Murdock and Page; Murdock & McDuffie;
Family	Jack Murdock (father); Maggie Grace (mother);
Significant others	Elektra Natchios; Claire Temple; Karen Page; Jennifer Walters; Heather Glenn;
Religion	Catholic
Origin	Hell's Kitchen, New York City, United States
Nationality	Irish American
Mentor	Stick
Partners	Foggy Nelson; Karen Page; Kirsten McDuffie; Cherry;

Matthew Michael "Matt" Murdock is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Charlie Cox in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name—commonly known by his alias, Daredevil. In the MCU, Murdock is a lawyer by day who specializes in legal defense alongside his colleagues Foggy Nelson and Karen Page, while also aiding other superpowered individuals within New York City. He further pursues a personal crusade to inflict his own brand of justice at night, masquerading as a masked vigilante hoping to remove the corruption facing Hell's Kitchen following the Battle of New York from The Avengers (2012).

Murdock is blind, which with training enabled him to develop his other senses to superhuman levels. His activities would eventually bring him into conflict with enemies such as businessman Wilson Fisk and the Hand organization in the process, the latter of which he combatted alongside the Defenders when they successfully resurrected and weaponized a former ally and lover from his past, Elektra Natchios. Following Fisk's defeat, Murdock returns to his law practice, successfully defending Peter Parker against criminal charges pressed against him as well as entering a brief romantic relationship with fellow superhuman lawyer Jennifer Walters. He would also come to the defense of and befriend other vigilantes, namely Frank Castle, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Peter Parker and Hector Ayala.

As of 2025^[update], the character has appeared in the Marvel Television series Daredevil (2015–2018), the miniseries The Defenders (2017), the Marvel Studios film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and the Disney+ television series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022), Echo (2024), and Daredevil: Born Again (2025–present). An alternate version of the character appeared in the first season of the animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025), with Cox reprising the role.

Cox's portrayal received significant praise critically and from fans, with the "#SaveDaredevil" campaign and petition being launched for his return after Daredevil's cancellation in 2018, which Cox attributed in October 2022 as having been responsible for his return to the role.^[1]^[2]^[3]

^ "Charlie Cox's Daredevil Needs to Return to the MCU – At All Costs". Comic Book Resources. May 9, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
^ "Daredevil: 5 Reasons Why He Should Come Back In Spider-Man 3 (& 5 Why Season 4 Must Come First)". Screen Rant. April 21, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
^ Sharf, Zack (October 20, 2022). "Charlie Cox Says He Owes Entire Career to 'Save Daredevil' Fan Campaign: 'Even When I Lost Hope, They Did Not'". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

[1] "Charlie Cox's Daredevil Needs to Return to the MCU – At All Costs". Comic Book Resources. May 9, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2021.

[2] "Daredevil: 5 Reasons Why He Should Come Back In Spider-Man 3 (& 5 Why Season 4 Must Come First)". Screen Rant. April 21, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2021.

[SaveDaredevil2-3] Sharf, Zack (October 20, 2022). "Charlie Cox Says He Owes Entire Career to 'Save Daredevil' Fan Campaign: 'Even When I Lost Hope, They Did Not'". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2022.

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