The Punisher: One Last Kill Star Judith Light Confirms Supervillain Role

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Fans can soon watch “The Punisher: One Last Kill” on Disney+, and the actor who plays the show’s main villain is excited to be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Last summer, Judith Light, known for her roles in Ugly Betty and Transparent, was seen filming for The Punisher: One Last Kill. A quick glimpse of her appeared in the trailer, and while her exact role is still a secret, many believe she’s playing Ma Gnucci, a villain from The Punisher’s comic book history with over 25 years of appearances.

Light didn’t confirm she’ll be playing Ma Gnucci in the Marvel Cinematic Universe during a recent interview with TODAY. However, she spoke fondly of her time working on the TV special and enjoyed acting with its star, Jon Bernthal.

Get ready for a surprise! Jon Bernthal is incredible, and he co-wrote this project with Reinaldo Marcus Green, the director of King Richard. We filmed it all in just 12 days with an amazing crew. Jon is truly exceptional, and we were able to connect with the story very quickly. I think audiences will be genuinely surprised and moved by it. At its heart, it’s a story about change and the weight of holding onto anger and revenge. It’s a really special film.

Ma Gnucci first appeared in the comic book The Punisher in 2000, created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon. She was introduced as the leader of New York City’s most powerful Mafia family. After Frank Castle killed her three sons when he returned to New York, she sought revenge by sending hitmen after him and using her influence within the NYPD to create a special task force dedicated to hunting down the Punisher.

Ma Gnucci suffered a brutal death at the hands of the Punisher. It began when Frank Castle released animals from the Central Park Zoo as a distraction, leading to a polar bear attack that resulted in her losing her scalp and all four limbs. He then finished the job by setting her mansion ablaze with her still inside. Although she briefly appeared to be revived, this was a deception planned by the villain known as the Elite.

If Gnucci appears in The Punisher: One Last Kill, it will mark the character’s first time being portrayed in live action. Light believes audiences will be pleased with her performance and the overall quality of Marvel’s newest special presentation. Other villains from The Punisher who have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe include Jigsaw (played by Ben Barnes), Ray Schoonover (Clancy Brown), and William Rawlins (Paul Schulze).

Jon Bernthal recently reprised his role as Frank Castle in Daredevil: Born Again, but his new special is primarily a continuation of the story from the Netflix series The Punisher. That show, which spun off from the original Daredevil, followed Frank’s quest for vengeance. Now, the new Marvel project finds Frank searching for purpose beyond revenge, a journey that’s disrupted when an unforeseen event draws him back into action, according to the official description.

Joining Jon Bernthal and Jason Light, Jason R. Moore returns as Curtis Hoyle, a close friend of Frank Castle and leader of a veterans’ support group, in The Punisher: One Last Kill. Bernthal also co-wrote this TV special alongside director Reinaldo Marcus Green. This is the third Special Presentation from Marvel Studios, following Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

Fans can watch The Punisher: One Last Kill on Disney+ starting May 12th. Shortly after, Jon Bernthal will reprise his role as Frank Castle alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, hitting theaters on July 31st.

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2026-05-11 04:41