When we think of Charlie Cox, the image of Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer-turned-vigilante Daredevil, immediately comes to mind. But what many people don’t realize is that Cox’s journey to becoming a Marvel icon was paved by a lesser-known but equally compelling role: Owen Sleater in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Personally, I think this earlier performance is a fascinating lens through which to understand Cox’s range as an actor—and it raises a deeper question about the themes that connect his characters.
One thing that immediately stands out is how both Owen Sleater and Matt Murdock are men driven by conviction, even if it means breaking the law. Owen, an Irish Republican Army (IRA) soldier turned bootlegger, operates in the gray moral areas of the 1920s, where Prohibition and the Irish War for Independence collide. Matt Murdock, on the other hand, navigates the legal system by day and fights crime as a masked vigilante by night. What this really suggests is that Cox has a knack for portraying characters who are, in their own ways, rebels against unjust systems.
From my perspective, the comparison between Owen and Matt goes beyond their willingness to bend the rules. Owen’s charm and moral ambiguity—especially in his relationship with Margaret Schroeder—echo Matt’s own complexities. Both characters are deeply conflicted, torn between their personal desires and their sense of duty. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Cox infuses these roles with a quiet intensity, making their internal struggles palpable.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how Boardwalk Empire explores themes of identity and displacement, particularly through its Irish characters. Owen, as an Irishman fighting for independence, is a stark contrast to the first-generation Irish-American gangsters like Nucky Thompson. This dynamic mirrors the immigrant experience in America, where identity is often fragmented between the old world and the new. If you take a step back and think about it, this theme of identity resonates with Matt Murdock’s own struggle to reconcile his faith, his legal career, and his vigilante alter ego.
What many people don’t realize is that Joe Quesada, Marvel’s then-chief creative officer, saw something in Cox’s portrayal of Owen that made him the perfect choice for Daredevil. In my opinion, it wasn’t just Cox’s ability to hold his own against heavyweights like Steve Buscemi; it was his capacity to embody characters who are both deeply human and morally ambiguous. Owen Sleater’s charm, coupled with his willingness to kill, is a far cry from Matt Murdock’s code against taking lives. Yet, both characters are driven by a sense of justice that transcends the law.
This raises a deeper question: Are vigilantes and rebels like Owen and Matt ultimately cut from the same cloth? Personally, I think the answer lies in their motivations. Owen’s actions are often self-serving, while Matt’s are rooted in a desire to protect the innocent. But what this really suggests is that the line between hero and antihero is blurrier than we often acknowledge.
If you take a step back and think about it, Cox’s roles in Boardwalk Empire and Daredevil are connected by more than just his performance. They’re part of a larger narrative about the human condition—about the choices we make when the system fails us. Owen Sleater may not be as famous as Matt Murdock, but his story is just as compelling. And in my opinion, it’s a testament to Cox’s talent that he can make us care about both.
In the end, what makes Charlie Cox’s career so intriguing is his ability to breathe life into characters who are, at their core, deeply flawed yet undeniably human. Whether it’s Owen Sleater’s tragic charm or Matt Murdock’s unwavering faith, Cox reminds us that heroism isn’t about perfection—it’s about the struggle to do what’s right, even when the odds are stacked against you.
