With Nikki James likely to play Kirsten McDuffie in the upcoming “Daredevil: Born Again” on Disney+, it’s possible that some threads from their history in Marvel Comics will be pulled onto the screen. The two have always had a friendly but competitive relationship, with McDuffie being the assistant district attorney in Manhattan. That role puts them on opposite sides of the courtroom since Murdock is a criminal defense attorney, but they develop a romantic connection nonetheless. McDuffie is also one of a small handful of characters ever to deduce Murdock’s secret identity as Daredevil, and frequently pulled pranks on him in an attempt to make him admit it.
Daredevil’s last MCU appearance was in “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” which is set in Los Angeles. In the comics, Murdock eventually relocates to California, bringing McDuffie with him, where the two start their own law firm. If they’ll be launching a similar partnership in the upcoming streaming series, it would make sense for him to stay out West. Although Murdock didn’t plan on sticking around at the end of “She-Hulk,” Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) and her family urged him to stay, so there’s a chance he does just that.
Moreover, McDuffie’s arrival may only signal a temporary break from Foggy Nelson’s involvement in Daredevil’s story. In the comics, specifically 2020’s “Daredevil Vol 6 #22,” McDuffie ends up partnering with Foggy to help acquit Murdock in a case, and “Daredevil: Born Again” might lay the groundwork for that to happen in live-action. Another detail from the comics that might tie into the series? Kingpin does become mayor of New York City.
