Netflix’s latest Marvel spin off, The Punisher, has cast English actor Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) in a series-regular role opposite Jon Bernthal’s titular vigilante, TVLine has learned exclusively. Character info is sketchy, but one rumor making the rounds has Barnes — who will next be seen in HBO’s big-budget Westworld — portraying antagonist Bobby Saint, the corrupt crime prodigy played in the 2004 film by James Carpinello. Netflix has declined to comment.
Barnes’ stateside TV credits also include playing Sam Adams in the 2015 History miniseries Sons of Liberty.
Viewers got their first look at Bernthal’s gun-toting antihero in Season 2 of Daredevil, which dropped last March. Netflix formally pulled the trigger on a Punisher-centric series one month later (although the project was unofficially greenlit back in January). Hannibal scribe Steve Lightfoot will serve as show runner.
For those keeping track, The Punisher marks Netflix’s sixth Marvel series, following Daredevil, Jessica Jones, the upcoming Luke Cage, and the in-the-works Iron Fist and The Defenders.
