Even though The Walking Dead universe has been quiet on the news front lately, that doesn’t mean fans aren’t keeping a close eye on the beloved cast and what they’re up to next. And right now, one former fan-favorite is about to make his return to the Marvel universe in a way that has everyone buzzing with anticipation.
Jon Bernthal, best known for his iconic and memorable performance as Shane Walsh on The Walking Dead, is stepping back into the shoes of Frank Castle/Punisher in a highly anticipated Marvel one-off that now has an official release date. This new release date announcement has rippled through both The Walking Dead and Marvel fan communities, reigniting excitement for a character and a performer that audiences have been eager to see again.
The Punisher: One Last Kill starring Jon Bernthal sets May 2026 release
The Punisher: One Last Kill is an upcoming Marvel TV special scheduled to debut on Disney+ in May 2026. The exact release date is Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The official The Punisher page on X shared this juicy information on March 24. Besides the release date, the special's title is also new. At first, it was untitled. Now, it officially goes by The Punisher: One Last Kill. That's exciting!
We had previously reported back in February 2026 that the TV special could possibly be coming in the summer of this year. This was based on a rumor that was going around by industry insider MyTimeToShineHello. This insider had even stated that the special is called Punisher: One Shot Special. However, Marvel has now confirmed the official title as The Punisher: One Last Kill and put any previous speculation to rest.
Frank Castle returns in A Marvel Television Special Presentation: The Punisher: One Last Kill May 12, only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/4I3H10grXz
— The Punisher (@ThePunisher) March 24, 2026
Unlike typical serialized Marvel shows, this one‑off hour-long event is designed as a standalone story. It gives Bernthal’s Punisher room to take center stage. However, it’s not just the character’s return that’s exciting. The creative team behind The Punisher: One Last Kill is equally impressive. The special is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the filmmaker behind King Richard and the acclaimed miniseries We Own This City.
Green also co-wrote the special with Bernthal, marking Bernthal’s first official writing credit for a Marvel project. With Bernthal helping shape both the story and the performance, fans can expect a tale that fully embraces the Punisher’s dark, intense, and morally complex world.
Unfortunately, Marvel has kept plot details about the special tightly under wraps. However, we'll likely see the vigilante continue his relentless crusade against crime. Fans have even been speculating about exactly what challenges and enemies the Punisher will face in The Punisher: One Last Kill.
On-screen, Bernthal will be joined by Jason R. Moore, who reprises his role as Castle’s longtime ally and fellow veteran, Curtis Hoyle. In addition, new faces include Roe Rancell as Dennis and Mila Jaymes as Charli.
The Punisher: One Last Kill serves as the second Marvel Cinematic Universe project focused on the Punisher. The beloved character was first introduced in the second season of Netflix’s Daredevil. He would then get his own Netflix series, The Punisher, which ran for two seasons from 2017 to 2019. In 2025, Bernthal reprised the role in Daredevil: Born Again season 1 for two episodes. However, he will not return in the show's second season that premieres on Disney+ on March 24.
What we do know is that following Daredevil: Born Again season 2's finale on May 5, The Punisher: One Last Kill will drop just a week later on Disney+. That said, don't forget to save the date!