Marvel’s The Defenders will only be eight episodes when it hits Netflix

It’s been an exhilarating, action-packed ride watching Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage clean up the mean streets of New York City. But their Netflix shows haven’t exactly been brief, and they’re often exhausting.

Marvel’s new announcement might just be what the doctor ordered.

The studio this week revealed The Defenders will only be eight episodes, five fewer than Marvel’s shows generally run for.

While brevity could potentially create a more engaging, emotionally powerful series, hopefully, eight episodes will be enough to tell a coherent story. When the show is released in 2017, it’ll feature Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, whose solo show will be out next year. That’s a lot of heroes to cram into one show.

The Defenders will only defend for eight episodes

We’ve seen what Marvel is capable of doing with only a few hours on the big screen, so there’s plenty of possibilities.

Of course, cutting it down to eight episodes could also be because these characters have their own shows to film. We’re getting new seasons of Daredevil and Jessica Jones and it’s only a matter of time before Luke Cage is renewed.

In addition to announcing The Defenders will be eight episodes, Marvel also revealed the first two episodes will be directed by S.J. Clarkson, who previously worked on Jessica Jones.

The Defenders is currently scheduled to hit Netflix in 2017.