As soon as word came out that The Walking Dead's Jon Bernthal would be appearing as badass vigilante The Punisher on the second season of the Marvel/Netflix show Daredevil, fans began speculating and hoping that this could lead to the character getting his own series. Now that Bernthal's violent Daredevil debut has gone over extremely well with viewers. Marvel and Netflix have announced that they are indeed developing a series centered on The Punisher.
Bernthal is set to reprise the role of Frank Castle/The Punisher on the show. Steve Lightfoot, a veteran of Hannibal, will be executive producing and serving as showrunner. Lightfoot is also writing the first two episodes.
The Punisher will be the sixth collaboration between Marvel and Netflix, following shows based on Marvel characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, as well The Defenders, which will find those four characters teaming up with each other. It's not clear whether or not The Punisher will be making an appearance on The Defenders.
The Punisher was previously portrayed by Dolph Lundgren in a 1989 film, Thomas Jane in a 2004 film, and Ray Stevenson in 2008's PUNISHER: WAR ZONE.