6 Netflix-Era Marvel Characters Who Still Haven't Returned To The MCU

Published Nov 10, 2026, 3:00 PM EST Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023. After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production. At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic. One of the best Marvel eras was when the comic book franchise came to Netflix and developed The Defenders universe. The TV shows Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher weren't just fun new explorations of beloved comics, but edgier, grittier takes on the fabric of a growing cinematic universe. Though Marvel has changed a lot since these series were released, we've already seen some of the characters in these projects return to the MCU. However, there are still plenty of minor characters who need to make their debut in the current phase of Marvel's evolution. The Marvel timeline on Netflix saw many individuals appear in more than one TV show, cementing their interconnectedness and the fact that the shared universe was so tight-knit. Easter eggs like the appearance of recurring characters and their relationships with the heroes in every series made it feel like audiences were a part of something big when watching the projects. It's been argued that Netflix's Marvel shows are better than Disney Plus because they go further and aren't afraid to lean into the harsh realities of being a superhero and the criminal underworld the protagonists brush up against. No character in the Netflix Marvel TV shows is one-dimensional. There are many moments when these characters lean into their dark sides, and whether they come back as heroes or villains, they should be brought back to the MCU. Trish Walker Marvel's Jessica Jones is arguably the best of the Netflix TV shows. Though Jessica (Krysten Ritter) is the protagonist and main hero in the series, Trish might be the most compelling character in the story. Rachael Taylor gives a performance that will stay with viewers for a long time as Trish. Her complicated feelings toward, and eventually jealousy of, Jessica make their relationship much deeper than the traditional hero-sidekick dynamic that Trish could've easily fallen into. Fortunately, Trish is much more than a simple foil to Jessica, as she undergoes violent experimentation to become Hellcat. She becomes a primary antagonist in Jessica Jones season 3. Trish would fit right into the fabric of the larger MCU, as there are many examples of characters overcoming their foray into villainy and finding redemption. Since so many of the Netflix Marvel characters have a darker edge than others in the MCU, Trish would level up the new era of The Defenders​​​​​​. Claire Temple Rosario Dawson is unforgettable as Claire Temple, a character who serves as a grounding throughline in the Netflix Marvel TV shows. From her chemistry and relationship with Luke Cage to her connection with Colleen Wing through their self-defense lessons, Claire makes her mark on every hero within The Defenders universe. The more time the audience spends with Claire, the more obvious it is that it's characters like her and their connection to reality that serve as the emotional undercurrent of the story. Though Dawson shot a cameo as Claire Temple in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it was cut from the theatrical release of the blockbuster. There's reason to believe the footage might be added to the potential re-release of the movie, which would be an exciting moment for fans of Temple (via The Hollywood Reporter). However, Temple is a character who warrants her own show or an extended arc in one of the new MCU series. Zebediah Kilgrave / The Purple Man Credit: MovieStillsDB David Tennant gives one of the best performances of his career in Netflix's Jessica Jones as the horrible Kilgrave, a villain that still gives us nightmares. Much of the story in Jessica Jones season 1 revolves around Jessica recovering from the trauma of their relationship and the violent acts Kilgrave forced her to commit through mind control. There have been many terrible villains in the MCU, but Kilgrave might be the most chilling. David Tennant's MCU return has been long-awaited, as the actor is no stranger to coming back to a popular franchise after years away. Tennant has come back to Doctor Who as the 10th Doctor many times over, so there's no reason why he wouldn't agree to reprise his role as Kilgrave within the MCU. Krysten Ritter's appearance as Jessica in Daredevil: Born Again was one of the most satisfying moments of the show, and we'd love to see her defeat Kilgrave one more time. Colleen Wing If there's one thing Netflix's Marvel shows did well, it's taking the female heroes in the comics and giving them their due. Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) is an essential character in Iron Fist, and eventually steps in to become the next Iron Fist in the season 2 finale. A new series exploring Colleen's journey handling this power and the responsibility it comes with makes her the perfect character to bring back into the fold of the MCU. Powerful, independent, and an intimidating warrior, Colleen is reminiscent of other popular MCU heroes like Jessica Jones and could easily anchor her own show. Even with Colleen as the new Iron Fist, original characters from the Netflix series could return as well, and the story could touch upon how her new abilities change her relationship with Danny Rand (Finn Jones). Danny will be back in the MCU for Daredevil: Born Again season 3, making it even more necessary for Colleen to make her return. Turk Barrett Audiences first met Turk Barrett (Rob Morgan) in Daredevil, but it didn't take long for Netflix to realize that the charm and chemistry of the character meant he had to appear in every Marvel series on the streaming service. Funny, tragic, and a perennial scene-stealer, Turk fills the role of a small-time criminal who isn't quite bad enough for the heroes to consider him a real problem. This allows Turk to have one foot in the criminal underworld, especially as the franchise progresses. Turk is the character we most want to see in Daredevil: Born Again, even though season 3 will be the final installment of the MCU revival. As the series wraps up, bringing in nostalgic characters like Turk would pay tribute to the history of the show and might help convince Marvel that there should be more seasons of the series. Jeri Hogarth Played by Carrie-Anne Moss in Netflix's gender-swapped take on the comic book character, Jeri Hogarth is a force of nature in Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Iron Fist, and The Defenders. Hogarth's character explores the relationship between good and evil within an individual, and her actions are a key piece of the darker texture of Netflix's Marvel shows. As a villain in Jessica Jones, Hogarth is more complex than some of the deeply disturbed antagonists since she's so human. Part of the reason audiences are drawn to Marvel is that the villains are given just as much depth as the heroes, and Hogarth's arc throughout the Netflix properties demonstrates this. Every time Hogarth pops up in one of the series in The Defenders saga, it's a reminder of how connected the projects are, and that there are greater forces at play within the story's world. Hogarth could easily slip back into this role in a Disney Plus show, cementing her position of power in the MCU. Marvel