Like all of Marvel's Netflix shows, The Punisher has officially come to an unceremonious end. A casualty of the stream wars, joining Luke Cage, Daredevil, Iron Fist, and Jessica Jones on the corpse-heap. While many expected the cancellation was inevitable, it did little to numb the sting. Now, one day removed from the pulled plug, lead actors Jon Bernthal and Ben Barnes, who play Frank Castle and Billy Russo respectively, have taken to Instagram to reflect on their time on the series.
Bernthal delivered a message worthy of his character's spirit: short, powerful, and to the point. "To all who have served. All who know loss. All who love and understand Frank and his pain," he writes It has been an honor to walk in his boots. I’m endlessly grateful to the comic fans and the men and women of the Armed Services and law enforcement community who Frank means so much to. Thank you to the USMC and all the wonderful soldiers who trained me. Go Hard. Be safe."
Ben Barnes, who plays the deformed Billy Russo/Jigsaw, opened up with his own farewell message. "Well... that’s the end of the road for @marvel @thepunisher on @netflix Thank you to everyone who tuned in for an episode or binged each season in 13 hours & for all your wonderful, supportive, funny, creative comments," he writes, alongside a few behind-the-scenes pictures. "I can’t read them all but I see you & appreciate every one! Loved working with this cast & crew - I miss you & gutted I don’t get to see what you had in store for a third Season!"