Daredevil Was The Second Show In 2 Months With The Exact Same Premise
By Dan Bibby
October 9th, 2025
Although it's now available to stream on Disney+, the original Daredevil TV show was made by Netflix, and the platform was just a little too slow off the mark in early 2015. Set in the MCU, Daredevil wasn't the only Marvel show Netflix produced, but it was certainly the most successful. However, a project set within an entirely different canon arrived two months before Daredevil and was startingly similar.
While initially canceled after 3 seasons, Daredevil was eventually revived in the form of Daredevil: Born Again in 2025. The original show set a new standard for what comic book shows should be, and Born Again is a worthy successor as it picks up the saga years later on Disney+. Daredevil's title character is a fascinating protagonist, but I can't help but feel like the show's premiere should have been delayed a little.
While initially canceled after 3 seasons, Daredevil was eventually revived in the form of Daredevil: Born Again in 2025. The original show set a new standard for what comic book shows should be, and Born Again is a worthy successor as it picks up the saga years later on Disney+. Daredevil's title character is a fascinating protagonist, but I can't help but feel like the show's premiere should have been delayed a little.
Better Call Saul Had The Same Premise As Daredevil (& Premiered 2 Months Earlier)
February 8th, 2015, brought with it the premiere of AMC's Better Call Saul, which saw Bob Odenkirk as struggling lawyer Jimmy McGill. He had his own meagre practice, went by more than one name, and often went outside the law to achieve his desired outcome - either for himself or for his clients. So far, I've not said anything that wouldn't also apply to Charlie Cox's Matt "Daredevil" Murdock.
Sure, Jimmy may not have had superpowers, but Daredevil barely did either. Odenkirk's character's biggest advantage over his doubters and adversaries was his willingness to sink lower than others are willing to do. While Matt does have hugely enhanced senses, they don't always give him an edge in certain situations.
I'm not saying the two characters are identical, but it's impossible to deny the similarities - especially when Daredevil debuted on April 10th, 2015. To push the two shows even closer together, Netflix was responsible for distributing Better Call Saul outside the US. So, for many parts of the world, it was even available on the same platform as Daredevil. The latter has since switched to Disney+.
I would be negligent in my duties if I didn't also point out that Daredevil, as a character, massively predates Better Call Saul. The Marvel comics have been telling stories about the Man Without Fear for decades. Still, it's interesting that his live-action TV debut arrived at such a time that it felt like it was competing with Better Call Saul.
Sure, Jimmy may not have had superpowers, but Daredevil barely did either. Odenkirk's character's biggest advantage over his doubters and adversaries was his willingness to sink lower than others are willing to do. While Matt does have hugely enhanced senses, they don't always give him an edge in certain situations.
I'm not saying the two characters are identical, but it's impossible to deny the similarities - especially when Daredevil debuted on April 10th, 2015. To push the two shows even closer together, Netflix was responsible for distributing Better Call Saul outside the US. So, for many parts of the world, it was even available on the same platform as Daredevil. The latter has since switched to Disney+.
I would be negligent in my duties if I didn't also point out that Daredevil, as a character, massively predates Better Call Saul. The Marvel comics have been telling stories about the Man Without Fear for decades. Still, it's interesting that his live-action TV debut arrived at such a time that it felt like it was competing with Better Call Saul.
Better Call Saul & Daredevil Also Both Fleshed Out Universes That Predated Their Respective Premieres
To a certain extent, both Better Call Saul and Daredevil each function well as standalone projects, but they're really intended to be watched as part of larger viewing experiences. Better Call Saul was made as a prequel to Breaking Bad, despite also boasting moments set after its parent show. Similarly, Daredevil was set within the MCU and added additional context to certain moments from the cinematic franchise.
Overall, Daredevil functions better as a show watched in isolation than Better Call Saul does. The latter is fantastic, but relies pretty heavily on the audience knowing key parts of the lore from Breaking Bad. For Daredevil, although it's since been confirmed to be set within the MCU, it originally felt like the beginning of a new chapter, and eventually went on to be fleshed out further with shows like Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Either way, Better Call Saul beat Daredevil to the punch with its unconventional take on the legal drama.
Overall, Daredevil functions better as a show watched in isolation than Better Call Saul does. The latter is fantastic, but relies pretty heavily on the audience knowing key parts of the lore from Breaking Bad. For Daredevil, although it's since been confirmed to be set within the MCU, it originally felt like the beginning of a new chapter, and eventually went on to be fleshed out further with shows like Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Either way, Better Call Saul beat Daredevil to the punch with its unconventional take on the legal drama.
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