Jon Bernthal to play The Punisher in 'Daredevil' spinoff series

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 29 (UPI) -- Netflix says it has ordered a full season of a Marvel's Daredevil spinoff called Marvel's The Punisher, starring Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/The Punisher.

Hannibal veteran Steve Lightfoot is to serve as executive producer and showrunner, and will write the series' first two episodes. Bernthal introduced his character in Season 2 of Daredevil.

"We want to thank the fans who are clamoring for more of Jon's stunning and powerful performance as Frank Castle from Marvel's Daredevil," Jeph Loeb, executive producer/head of Marvel Television, said in a statement Friday. "Now combined with showrunner Steve Lightfoot's compelling writing, we're thrilled to bring Marvel's The Punisher to Netflix."

"Jon hooked our global audience with his performance as Frank Castle from the moment he stepped on screen in Marvel's Daredevil, and we are looking forward to seeing more of him in this role under the vision of Steve Lightfoot," added Cindy Holland, Netflix's vice president of original content.

"For me, the complexity and unpredictability of Frank Castle make him an incredibly compelling character and I couldn't be more excited to dive into his world," Lightfoot remarked. "After watching Jon's performance in Marvel's Daredevil, I could not be more excited to be working with him to further develop and progress the story of this anti-hero in a show of his own."