Marvel's Daredevil Casts Charlie Cox As Blind Superhero

Marvel Studios have announced that British actor Charlie Cox will play blind superhero Daredevil in the first of their five planned TV mini-series for Netflix.

Originally reported by Latino Review, Marvel quickly confirmed the reports, giving a brief background into the character of Daredevil, aka lawyer Matt Murdoch.

"Blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses," reads a statement, "Matt Murdock fights against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the superhero Daredevil in modern day Hell's Kitchen, New York City."

The 13-episode series will air in 2015 and will be accompanied by three series following fellow Marvel heroes Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Jessica Jones. With each series set in New York, the plan is for the four characters to team up Avengers-style and become The Defenders in a fifth series.

Born in London, Cox first made his name with a starring role in cult fantasy film Stardust before roles in Downton Abbey and more recently Broadwalk Empire. He is currently filming Dracula Untold, a horror film starring Luke Evans and Dominic Cooper.

Original showrunner Drew Goddard recently left the project to concentrate on directing Amazing Spider-Man spin-off The Sinister Six for Sony – though he will stay on as a series consultant, executive producer and the first two episodes will be shot from his scripts.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel writer Steven S. DeKnight has stepped up as showrunner in his absence.

Shooting for the show is expected to start this summer in New York ahead of the show's release next summer on streaming service Netflix.