Krysten Ritter will return to television in Marvel’s latest Netflix series, Jessica Jones. The actress who previously graced the small screen with her roles in Breaking Bad and Don’t Trust the B— will play the titular star of the show, adding to Marvel’s television slate that already features shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the upcoming Captain America spinoff, Agent Carter.
Although Marvel hasn’t made an official announcement, Deadline reports that Ritter has been tapped to play the role after the studio had auditioned fellow actresses like True Detective’s Alexandra Daddario and Warm Bodies star, Teresa Palmer.
The Jessica Jones character debuted in the Marvel MAX imprint series Alias created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Gaydos. Jessica Jones is a former superheroine who decided to take off her mask to start a private detective agency that seeks clients who are dealing with cases with superhero connections. The series follows Jones going back to the superhero world even after she denounces her old lifestyle.
Ritter reportedly did a chemistry reading with Mike Colter who is slated to portray Luke Cage, another popular Marvel superhero.
AMAZING: Marvel’s ‘Jessica Jones’ Casts Krysten Ritter, and Mike Colter Eyed for ‘Luke Cage’ http://t.co/y2fR7KW9SS pic.twitter.com/35RuhTAsDo
— ComicsAlliance (@comicsalliance) December 6, 2014
Marvel surprised fans with their decision, as Ritter is mostly known for her comedic work in film and television work. Ritter started as a model at the age of 15 after being discovered by an agent while she was hanging out at a local shopping mall. She signed with Elite Model Management and moved to New York to establish her modeling career which saw her posing for print and television ads.
In 2003, Ritter shared the screen with Julia Roberts in Mona Lisa Smile and had appeared in several Broadway plays. Her television work expanded when she appeared on the second season of Veronica Mars. She reprised her Veronica Mars role in the film which was successfully funded through the Kickstarter website.