The Defenders: Season 1 (2017)
TV SeriesOptionalNetflix era
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist unite to stop the Hand in New York. It’s a 2017 season from Marvel’s Netflix era. Marvel added it to its official timeline in 2024, but the films don’t need it, so it isn’t in our main 81-title order. At 8 episodes, about 6h in all, it streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Release date | August 18, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 8 × ~45 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
Brings Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist together against the Hand.
About The Defenders: Season 1
The Defenders is the eight-episode crossover that brings the four Marvel Netflix heroes together after their solo seasons. Set a few months after Daredevil season 2 and about a month after Iron Fist, it puts Matt Murdock, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Danny Rand up against the Hand, now led by the mysterious Alexandra, who has Elektra back in play as her weapon. Familiar faces from the solo shows, including Stick, Claire Temple, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, get pulled in too.
Douglas Petrie and Marco Ramirez created it, with Ramirez as showrunner, and all eight episodes were released on August 18, 2017. Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter and Finn Jones lead, with Sigourney Weaver as Alexandra, Élodie Yung as Elektra, Scott Glenn as Stick, Rosario Dawson as Claire, Simone Missick as Misty and Jessica Henwick as Colleen. Critics enjoyed the heroes' chemistry and Weaver's performance but faulted the pacing and the Hand as villains, giving it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Good to know
- It was filmed in New York from late 2016 to March 2017 under the working title "Group Therapy."
- Charlie Cox and Krysten Ritter later returned to their roles in Daredevil: Born Again, and Mike Colter and Finn Jones are set for its third season.
- Nielsen counted 6.1 million average US viewers for the first episode in its premiere week.
Spoiler Spoilers for The Defenders: Season 1: tap to reveal
- Matt is presumed dead after the Midland Circle collapse, but the final scene finds him alive in a convent, setting up Daredevil season 3.
- Mike Colter's Luke Cage turns up in the season 2 finale of Daredevil: Born Again, ahead of his bigger role in season 3.
How to watch it
Watch Daredevil seasons 1–2, Jessica Jones season 1, Luke Cage season 1 and Iron Fist season 1 first. Daredevil season 2 and Iron Fist matter most, since they set up the Hand and Elektra's story. Afterward, the heroes' later solo seasons and Daredevil season 3 pick up the threads, eventually leading into Daredevil: Born Again. It's the payoff for anyone who stuck with the Netflix shows, and the team-up scenes are worth it even if the plot drags.
Where to watch The Defenders: Season 1 in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch The Defenders: Season 1 outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | None needed |
| Canada | Disney+ | None needed |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
The Defenders: Season 1 FAQ
What should I watch before The Defenders?
Daredevil seasons 1–2, Jessica Jones season 1, Luke Cage season 1 and Iron Fist season 1. It's set right after Iron Fist.
Who is the villain in The Defenders?
Sigourney Weaver plays Alexandra, the leader of the Hand, with Élodie Yung's Elektra at her side.
Is The Defenders connected to Daredevil: Born Again?
Yes. Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdock in Born Again, Krysten Ritter returns as Jessica Jones in season 2, and Mike Colter and Finn Jones are back for season 3.
Can you skip The Defenders: Season 1?
Yes. It’s been on Marvel’s official timeline since 2024, but none of the films depend on it.
How many episodes does The Defenders: Season 1 have?
The Defenders: Season 1 has 8 episodes, around 45 minutes each.
Is The Defenders: Season 1 part of the MCU?
Marvel added the Netflix shows to its official Disney+ timeline in 2024, so they now count as part of the MCU. We keep them out of our main 81-title order because the films don’t depend on them; our Netflix canon guide explains the details.