Background
In June 2015, Jon Bernthal was cast as the Marvel Comics character Punisher for the second season of the Netflix series Daredevil (2015–2018), which was produced by Marvel Television. In April 2016, Netflix ordered the spin-off series The Punisher (2017–2019), with Bernthal reprising his role as Frank Castle / Punisher. Both series were canceled by the end of February 2019, not long before Marvel Television was folded into Marvel Studios, the production company behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. A Disney+ revival series titled Daredevil: Born Again (2025–present) was announced by Marvel Studios in July 2022. Bernthal was set to reprise his role by March 2023, but soon left the series because he did not agree with the direction it was taking Castle. After Born Again underwent a creative overhaul and former The Punisher writer Dario Scardapane was hired to be its showrunner, Bernthal returned and had input on the character's portrayal. He felt the first season of Born Again "opened the door to getting closer to the Frank Castle that I really, really want to portray".
Development
During filming for the first season of Born Again, Bernthal conceived a story for a television special focused on the Punisher. The end of the season sees Castle arrested by New York City Mayor Wilson Fisk and later breaking out of his prison. Marvel Studios looked at some of Bernthal's previous writing and then asked him to pitch the special to them before it moved forward. He said that he did not want them to "just hand it to me... they've held me accountable to every step along the way. I really want to earn this and I really want this to be good." Brad Winderbaum, the head of streaming, television, and animation at Marvel Studios, revealed that the special was in development under the "Special Presentation" banner in February 2025. Reinaldo Marcus Green was set to direct the special and was writing the screenplay with Bernthal, after they worked together on the film King Richard (2021) and the miniseries We Own This City (2022). Winderbaum said the character was very important to Bernthal, who he felt had turned the Punisher into an "icon". In March 2026, the special's title was revealed as The Punisher: One Last Kill, releasing as a "Marvel Television Special Presentation". The special is the first work produced based on Bernthal's writing. It is intended to receive a TV-MA rating. Executive producers include Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Winderbaum, and Sana Amanat, along with Bernthal and Green.
Writing
Winderbaum said the Punisher was driven by pain, revenge, and justice, and felt the character was most interesting in stories that explored how his philosophy leads to specific ways of seeking justice. He described the special as "a shotgun blast of a story, but [it] also has all the pathos and emotion that you want out of a Frank Castle story". Bernthal said the special would be a "version that this character deserves" and not "Punisher-lite", later adding that it has the most "high-octane" portrayal of the character yet seen. He said the special would have a "visceral, psychologically complex, unforgiving, no-holds-barred version of Frank where he's going to turn his back to the audience. And nothing is easy and all violence has a cost, and we're going to see that cost. I'm grateful that they're letting me go to the places that I really want to go." The Punisher (2000–2001) comic series by Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, and Jimmy Palmiotti, known as The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank, served as inspiration for One Last Kill. Bernthal brought in former Marine Raider Nick Koumalatsos, who helped him train for Born Again, as a consultant on the special. After filming the special, Bernthal filmed his scenes for the MCU film Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) and said it was important to himself, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, and director Destin Daniel Cretton that the film's portrayal of the Punisher feel like the same character that is seen in the special. The special is concurrent with the events of the second season of Born Again.
Casting
Bernthal was set to reprise his role as Frank Castle / Punisher in the special when it was announced. In July 2025, set photos revealed Roe Rancell in the supporting role of Dennis, as well as Jason R. Moore reprising his role as Curtis Hoyle from The Punisher. Also appearing in the special are Mila Jaymes as Charli; Koumalatsos as Nick and Colton Hill as Colton, members of Castle's Marine squad; and Jamal Lloyd Johnson as Barry. Chelsea Brea, Dominick Mancino, Evelyn O. Vaccaro, and Tom Johnson have been cast in undisclosed roles.
Design
Emily Gunshor and Michael Shaw were, respectively, the costume designer and production designer for the special, after previously working on the first and second seasons of Born Again.
Filming
Principal photography began by July 17, 2025, in New York City, under the working title Jolly Roger, with Robert Elswit set as cinematographer. Filming took place in Queens on Jamaica Avenue, as well as near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. A building exterior featured signs for Gnucci's Family Restaurant, believed to be a reference to Ma Gnucci and the Gnucci crime family; the Gnucci crime family was previously featured in The Punisher. Filming occurred over 12 days and wrapped on August 4, 2025.
Post-production
Melissa Lawson Cheung is editing the special, after previously working on the first two seasons of Born Again.
Music
Green's frequent collaborator Kris Bowers was revealed to be composing the score for One Last Kill in April 2026. Bowers previously scored the MCU miniseries Secret Invasion (2023).
