W Magazine recently published an exclusive interview with British actor Ben Barnes, who divulged some details about his upcoming Netflix series The Punisher and his role in the HBO series Westworld.
The Punisher is one of several Marvel series that Netflix has produced. The character of Frank Castle, aka The Punisher (played by Jon Bernthal), was first introduced in Netflix’s Marvel universe last year in Season 2 of Daredevil as Matt Murdoch’s adversary. After Daredevil Season 2, Netflix announced that Frank Castle would get his own spin-off series. Barnes will play Billy Russo on the show, a friend from Castle’s days of combat who also heads the mysterious privatized military company Anvil. Filming for the series wrapped earlier this month, and Barnes posted a poster for the series on his Twitter account around this time as well.
Barnes told W Magazine that filming The Punisher happened to be an emotional, investing shooting experience. The actor stated, “There was a lot of night work and a lot of action and a lot of cold nights, and a lot of aggressive passion. You have to give it [everything] when you are around that energy.” When encouraged to disclose more information, Barnes skirted around the question.
“This is the problem about working for HBO and Marvel: you talk about it on pain of death”, Barnes quipped, referencing his role in Westworld. He further explained the length of his involvement with the highly popular HBO series, where the actor played the unruly businessman Logan, companion to Jimmi Simpson’s more soft-spoken William. “As far as I know, I’m finished with Westworld, and as far as I know, we’ve wrapped on season one” the actor admitted. “I don’t know what’s happening after that. And that’s all I’m allowed to say.”
Also starring in The Punisher will be Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Karen Page in Daredevil. In Season 2, Karen Page served as a cautious friend and confidante of Frank Castle as she helped Matt Murdoch and Foggy Nelson form their case for the defense of Castle in court.
The Punisher is still without a formal release date, as Netflix is busy juggling its array of Marvel television shows, with Jessica Jones Season 2 in the works and The Defenders set to premiere August 18. All episodes of The Punisher are expected to premiere on Netflix this year sometime over the summer.