Jon Bernthal was recently spotted on the streets of New York City sporting a crazy beard in preparation for the start of filming on Netflix's Marvel's The Punisher series, and he's certainly not alone on set. We already knew that Ben Barnes would be starring alongside Bernthal's Frank Castle (and his role has just been confirmed), but we now have word of two new players.

As Marvel themselves confirmed today, Barnes will be playing Frank Castle's ally Billy Russo, while Ebon Moss-Bachrach joins as the character Micro (who was teased in season two of Daredevil), and Amber Rose Revah will play a pivotal role in law enforcement. It's also been confirmed that Marvel's The Punisher will indeed be streaming globally in 2017. This means that, along with the previously announced Iron Fist and The Defenders, Netflix will be rolling out three Marvel series in the same year for the first time.

marvels-the-punisher-cast

As showrunner and Executive Producer Steve Lightfoot said, “I’m really excited about the cast we're assembling alongside Bernthal as Frank Castle. I look forward to watching Ben, Ebon and Amber embody these characters and breathe vivid life into the story we are crafting for this season of 'Marvel's The Punisher.'"

Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer and Marvel’s Head of Television, echoed that sentiment: "We couldn’t be more thrilled about the remarkable talent joining Jon Bernthal in 'Marvel’s The Punisher.' Ebon, Ben and Amber are incredibly talented actors and we can’t wait to see them bring these characters to life." Jim Chory also serves as Executive Producer in the Marvel Television, ABC Studios, and Netflix production. Check out more on the newly announced cast members below:

Ben Barnes as Billy Russo

Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia) joins the cast as Billy Russo, Frank’s Castle’s best friend from his days in the Special Forces. He runs a successful private military corporation called “Anvil.”

So while it sounds like Billy Russo will be something of an ally for Castle, his potential comic book character ties suggest something quite different. Spoilers follow, so highlight below if you want to find out more:

In the comics, Billy Russo is another name for Jigsaw, a once-handsome hitman in New York who was tasked with taking out Frank Castle and ended up getting thrown through a plate-glass window for his trouble. As you might have guessed, that messed up his face plenty good. This sets the two up as mortal enemies, so the casting might have just clued us in as to the solo series' antagonist. Whether Jigsaw takes on the Punisher in this first season or a subsequent one remains to be seen, but I'm expecting a full-on betrayal and revenge arc here. 

netflix-punisher-cast-ben-barnes-billy-russo
Image via Marvel

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Micro

Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Girls) will play Micro, a former NSA analyst whose secrets may be of great value to Frank Castle and everyone around them.

netflix-punisher-cast-ebon-moss-bachrach-micro
Image via Marvel

Amber Rose Revah as Dinah Madani

Amber Rose Revah (Indian Summers, Son of God) joins as Dinah Madani, a highly-trained sophisticated Homeland Security agent who is vexed by the Punisher.

netflix-punisher-cast-amber-rose-revah-dinah-madani
Image via Marvel