The Punisher debuts on Netflix November 17, but when exactly can you start watching? The Punisher is Marvel’s third Netflix offering of the year, following on from Iron Fist and The Defenders. Unlike the other Netflix Marvel series, though, The Punisher was never conceived in the original lineup. Rather, it was Jon Bernthal’s incredibly engaging performance as Frank Castle in Daredevil season 2 which resulted in the character getting his own series.
A firm fan favorite despite his skewed moral views, we are now set to get a more in-depth look at the world of Frank Castle, which is sure to be violent, disturbing, angry, and yet oddly touching and endearing experience. Understandably, given Bernthal’s prior performance, fans are eager to binge-watch The Punisher as soon as it arrives, but when can we actually set our eyes on it?
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The Punisher officially arrives on Netflix on Friday, November 17th. Netflix releases its shows based on PST, so midnight PST is the actual release time. That’s 3am EST, 8am GMT, and if you’re in Australia, it’s 7pm.
This is a change from the original date; Marvel recently confirmed that they pushed the release date back after the Las Vegas mass shooting took place. Given the heavy emphasis on arms that The Punisher has, this is understandable – especially as the original intended release date was never known anyway. In light of the recent shootings in the US, Bernthal has said that he hopes The Punisher further promotes the gun control debate, saying “Art, at its absolute best, can hold a mirror to society and can make society look at and question itself.”
If you’re tuning in expecting to see a slew of characters from other Netflix Marvel shows putting in an appearance, you’re in for a disappointment. Deborah Ann Woll is back as the ever-patient and phenomenally understanding Karen Page, but she’s the only familiar face (apart from Frank, of course).
Following on from the tragic and shocking death of his wife and daughter, a very bitter and angry Frank Castle is determined to continue to unpick the dark network of government and military conspiracy that affects not only him, and his history, but others as well. Expect The Punisher to be gritty and dark; much more so than Jessica Jones or Daredevil. Thus far, the series has divided critics, but Bernthal’s performance has been universally praised. A new Netflix/Marvel offering is always something to look forward to though. How quickly can you binge The Punisher?
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The Punisher premieres Friday, November 17 on Netflix. Premiere dates for the new seasons of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist have not yet been announced.
