The Defenders Just Added Three More Awesome Cast Members

Though we're still waiting for Netflix to deliver the debut of Iron Fist, the fourth of its (currently) six Marvel Comics series, the anticipation train for the upcoming team-up miniseries The Defenders is in full force. And now that filming is happening and everything is moving forward, there are finally confirmations about the characters that will be popping up in the all-star adventure. Today brought the announcement that a trio of familiar faces will definitely make themselves known in The Defenders: Claire Temple, Trish Walker, and Stick. Feel free to cheer while watching the announcement video below.

See more

Gotta love that core quote in the video. If the people you're surrounded by aren't up to snuff, then you're just going to look that much worse in comparison. That's usually some high school clique thinking, but it applies just as suitably to the world of superheroes, and the quartet of vigilantes at the center of The Defenders may finally be appreciated and celebrated by the public once they're seen as a team and not as singled-out ruffians. And it should help that they'll have so many of their allies with them, such as two of the three characters now confirmed to appear.

Rosario Dawson's return as Claire Temple was a total no-brainer, considering she's been a part of all four seasons that have aired in Netflix's Marvel Universe, with an equal number of Luke Cage and Daredevil episodes. Rachael Taylor was rumored to return for the role of Jessica Jones' best friend Trish Walker, and now that we know she'll be back for sure, we can start speculating on whether or not she's going to take on her Hellcat persona from the comics. And then there's Scott Glenn's Stick, whose involvement was first tipped off by the Defenders teaser that came out for Comic-Con. His place within the central narrative is something of a mystery at this point, though he obviously ties Daredevil and The Hand into whatever goes down.

Recently, it was confirmed that The Defenders would be bringing back Elden Henson's Foggy Nelson, who will likely show up with Carrie-Anne Moss' Jeri Hogarth (previously announced), as well as Simone Missick's standout Luke Cage lead Misty Knight and Eka Darville's strange Jessica Jones neighbor Malcolm Ducasse. But the most exciting casting news of all came when it was revealed the excellent Sigourney Weaver would be joining the MCU for the first time as The Defenders' main NYC-terrorizing villain, though her exact role is being kept under wraps for now. And there's a damned good chance even more big names will be announced in the future.

The Defenders doesn't yet have a release date locked down at Netflix, but it is set to debut at some point next year. To see what else the streaming service will bring to viewers in the future, check out our 2017 premiere schedule, and for a broader look at all the new shows coming to the new year, head to our midseason TV schedule.

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper.  Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.