'Daredevil': How Jon Bernthal's Family Helped Him Become the Punisher

— -- Critics and fans alike are excited about acclaimed actor Jon Bernthal taking on the coveted role of the Punisher for "Daredevil" season 2.

It's no spoiler that Frank Castle becomes the vigilante, who doesn't mind killing bad guys, after suffering a horrible tragedy in his life. As told in the comics and in previous stints on film, Castle's whole family is killed, including his wife and kids.

Bernthal, a family man himself with a wife and three children, spoke about getting into the dark role.

"Us actors do weird stuff, man," he told ABC News at the show's premiere last week. "There's no way I could even begin to tackle this role if I wasn't a father and a husband in my mind."

Bernthal, 39, said his family "means everything to me."

"You realize what it's like to love somebody more than yourself and be willing to give up your life for them in a heartbeat," he said, noting that was vital to understanding Castle's mindset as he hunts down gang members, as seen in trailers for season 2.

"It all starts there and it definitely gets pretty dark, pretty quickly," he added.

Bernthal also spoke about the "crux" of this season, a hero taking on an anti-hero.

"They are sort of introducing this very adversarial relationship and they come to blows in every which way," he said. "As the season develops, one of the key themes is 'What does it take to be a hero? What is a hero?' As different as these guys are, I think there's a real respect and admiration that grows between them."