MarvelsThe Defenderswill of course see the return of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil.
Heres what we learned.
Den of Geek: What are you shooting right now?
Charlie Cox:There was a very famous robbery in London in 2015.
Anyway, it became kind of a famous story because of the nature of the robbery itself.
No one really knows how much they got away with.
Some people say 25 million, other people say 200 million, 300 million.
And the robbery itself was amazing.
Thats pretty different fromDaredevilandThe Defenders.
Yeah, it is, exactly.
But thats something that youre kind of known for.
I mean, youve done all these period dramas.
People know you in America from things likeBoardwalk EmpireandStardust.
Does it ever strike you as funny that your best known role now is for something so different?
You know, its odd.
Post 1950s, even.
Yeah, man, its kind of wild.
I never thought I would have the opportunity to play a superhero.
I thought that ship had sailed.
So its been great, its been an amazing journey.
Why do you think that British actors keep getting all of these iconic American superhero roles?
I genuinely have no idea.
I have no idea.
But were not going to fight it.
Well take them if theyre there for the taking.
Its a really good question.
I think its surprising because there are some unbelievable American actors.
That kind of makes you the elder statesman of this group.
And all three of us were aware that were still waiting for the fourth member.
So when they casted him, we all sent an email to him to say, Congratulations.
Cant wait to meet you, blah, blah, blah.
By the time we got intoThe Defenders, it was very much an equal playing field.
We were all given a similar amount of material, similar storylines.
We all just kind ofwe got on fantastically well, the four of us.
There was no feeling at any point that any of us are more or less important than the others.
It never felt like Ive been there the longest.
At least, it didnt for me.
I thought that was really something.
Does that take some of the pressure off you?
Yeah, I think it probably does actually.
I mean, look, I think its going to be very, very different to the other shows.
It certainly feels like its very different toDaredevil.
Its got a different vibe to it.
Theres more levity there.
We want the violence to be real and valid, but also not to pretend its not painful.
But inThe Defenders, Im not sure that we quite do that.
Theres a different feel to it.
So there was more opportunities for that.
What was your relationship with Krysten Ritter like on set?
I cant say enough good things about Kristen Ritter, I really cant.
But, you know, the highlight ofThe Defendersfor me is working with Krysten.
I think shes a phenomenal actor.
Shes also an incredibly inspirational human being, shes a real go-getter.
Shes a master of many trades, I mean, shes amazing.
Shes an amazing individual.
I loved working with her.
But did you see a difference in how he was approaching the material?
How different was this for you than Daredevil season 2 was?
I think its very different.
Like I said before, I think the show feels very different.
It certainly felt very different to shoot it.
But I dont think he has a different approach.
I think that was born out of necessity, you know.
Hes not making a story that centers around one human being.
So like, everything that happens inDaredevilhas an impact on Matt, and we get to see that impact.
So just in terms of structuring the story its a completely different ball game.
I was amazingly impressed by how he was able to take that and run with it.
Something like 50 hours of television, or 60 hours or whatever it is.
And also make it compelling.
What stands out to you as something where youre like, I dont know if I could do this?
I think the thing I found the hardest is… You know what I mean?
It was pretty grounded.
And then inDaredevil2, we introduced the Hand, and that was a real challenge.
And of course, theyre present inThe Defendersstory.
Like it really is terrifying.
It should feel really scary.
And it should feel painful emotionally as well as physically what these characters go through.
I dont think the shows ever want to glamourize violence or what were doing is really cool.
They dont fit into the world.
They feel like freaks of nature, that kind of thing.
And theyre ashamed about what theyre doing, as well as recognizing the importance of it.
Because you also need to pay attention to the tone of the piece.
Its a story thats fueled by plot, and so we need to get on with it.
When that weird quake happens and he goes out, its like a compulsion.
I thought that was really effective.
I will say this.
What do you think everybodys role on the team is?
So the story for them is already personal.
For them, they have to have that journey of disbelief before they get to that point.
Now Danny and Matt have seen it.
Jessica and Luke dont have that.
Initially at least, the role for Matt and Danny is quite similar.
So that was kind of our role.
I dont believe you or have any interest in being a part of that.
How many seasons of Marvel TV are you signed for?
You know, I actually dont know that, and Im afraid to ask.
I would always rather not know.
I was focused on getting the part.
And so I actually dont know.
Im just going to keep showing up until they tell me Im not invited to the party.
The Defenderspremieres on Netflix on August 18.
Read and download the fullDen of Geek Special Editionmagazine here!
