Leland Owlsley

Leland Owlsley was a ruthless financier and associate of Wilson Fisk who played a part in Fisk's crusade to remake Hell's Kitchen.

Working with Wilson Fisk
Owlsley was recruited by Wilson Fisk to control Fisk's money inputs and outputs, ensuring the authorities could not uncover their work. One night, Owlsley waited on the top of a building, along with Madame Gao, Nobu, Anatoly Ranskahov, and Vladimir Ranskahov, awaiting the arrival of Wilson Fisk. Owlsley spent much of the time complaining about the cold weather and Gao's and Nobu's refusal to speak English. Eventually, James Wesley arrived, claiming Fisk was too busy to attend. Wesley began to question why the Ranskahov's supply was down; they claimed their shipment had been attacked by a masked man. A few days later, Owlsley met with James Wesley to discuss a recent trial defending an assassin they had hired named John Healy. Owlsley could not understand why Wesley had chosen to hire two young, inexperienced lawyers from Nelson and Murdock rather than using his own lawyers; Wesley explained that the two lawyers were clean and had excellent reputations, unlike Owlsley's lawyers. Owlsley continued asking questions, wanting to know why Fisk did not just have Healy killed like all their other problems. Wesley explained that they were producing too many dead bodies which could lead to suspicion. When Owlsley asked why Wilson Fisk was not there to explain this himself, Wesley told him he was busy looking at art, which greatly annoyed Owlsley.

War with the Russians
Owlsley was later called for another meeting, this time without the Ranskahov brothers. He observed pints of blood being washed off Fisk's car; when he asked if anyone else was concerned about the site, all he received was a laugh from Madame Gao. They were interrupted by the arrival of Wesley and Wilson Fisk. When Owlsley asked where the Ranskahov's were, Fisk announced that the brothers were no longer a part of their organisation since Fisk had removed Anatoly Ranskahov's head. Both Gao and Nobu made it clear they were unhappy to have not been consulted in the matter; Owlsley also agreed. Fisk told Gao to continue moving her heroin to the Russians as usual until such a time that Fisk to take over the responsibility. Owlsley pointed out that the Russians' share of the money would likely go to Fisk if that was the case but Fisk assured them all profits would be divided up equally between them. The group agreed on the proposal, but Owlsley, getting nervous, told them he would be collecting his stun gun.

Face to Face with the Masked Man
Owlsley met with Nobu in a car park to discuss the transport of his cargo, Owlsley made it clear that he knew what was being transported as he had decrypted the paperwork, he suggested that he and Nobu work to protect each other in light of what had recently happened with the Russians. Nobu instead told him that all men must stand alone or fall, he then left and Owlsley made his way to his car. Before he could get away, he was confronted by the man in the mask who demanded to know who he worked for, when Owlsley lied he was hit in the face. The man revealed he knew Owlsley worked for Wilson Fisk but before he could ask anymore, he appeared distracted by a sound, Owlsley took the chance and stunned him with a taser before escaping.

Taking Precautions
Due to his recent attack by the masked man, Owlsley was taken to Wilson Fisk's armorer and tailor, Melvin Potter, who fitted him with a kevlar suit for protection. While Owlsley was being measured for the suit Owlsley and Fisk discussed what measures should be put in place to protect Owlsley, Fisk suggested that he should be taken to a safe house with armed guards. Owlsley reminded Fisk that if the masked man was to throw him off a roof, then a lot of money would be lost along with him, when Fisk asked if this was a threat, Owlsley assured him that he was just stating the obvious. James Wesley then arrived and informed them that although Detective Blake had been successfully assassinated, the man in the mask had gotten into the hospital and got information out of him, Owlsley mocked Fisk for the failure.

Abilities
"The numbers are like tea leaves. Nobody reads them like I can."

- Leland Owlsley


 * Master Businessman:

Family

 * Lee Owlsley - Son

Allies

 * Madame Gao - Associate
 * Nobu † - Associate
 * James Wesley † - Associate
 * Anatoly Ranskahov † - Associate
 * Vladimir Ranskahov † - Associate

Enemies

 * Wilson Fisk - Associate turned Killer
 * Vanessa Marianna - Attempted Victim
 * Daredevil

Appearances

 * Daredevil
 * Season One
 * Into the Ring
 * Rabbit in a Snowstorm
 * World on Fire
 * Condemned (mentioned)
 * Stick
 * Shadows in the Glass
 * Speak of the Devil (mentioned)
 * Nelson v. Murdock
 * The Path of the Righteous
 * The Ones We Leave Behind
 * Daredevil

Trivia

 * In the comics, Leland Owlsley is also known as the costumed criminal called the Owl.
 * Steven S. DeKnight confirmed Owlsley is dead, so his son Lee could become the Owl.