Casting for Marvel’s second Netflix series, AKA Jessica Jones, is continuing to take shape. After learning last month that Krysten Ritter had been cast in the title role and that Mike Colter had landed the role of Luke Cage, today comes news that former Doctor Who star David Tennant has been cast as the villain Zebediah Kilgrave. Here’s the official word, straight from Marvel:
Marvel and Netflix are proud to announce that David Tennant will star as the villainous Kilgrave in “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,” an all-new 13-episode series premiering on Netflix in 2015 following “Marvel’s Daredevil.”
An enigmatic figure from Jessica’s past, Kilgrave’s reappearance will send shockwaves through the former super hero’s world.
Tennant will star opposite Krysten Ritter and Mike Colter, who will play Jessica Jones and Luke Cage in “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones.” The series was developed by Executive Producer/Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg.
“I’m so honored and excited by the prospect of David inhabiting this multifaceted character,” said Rosenberg. “He can deliver the most heart-wrenching moment to the driest of lines, and all points in between. He’ll make Kilgrave a truly original villain.”
“Anyone familiar with David’s work knows he brings an incredible level of dedication to any role he inhabits, a level we knew we would need from the man playing Kilgrave,” said Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer/Marvel’s Head of Television. “While most know him for his roles as a hero, we can’t wait to unleash a whole new side of this talented actor.”
Tennant rose to international fame as the Tenth Doctor in the BBC hit series “Doctor Who,” and most recently starred in “Broadchurch” and its American adaptation, “Gracepoint.”
After a tragic ending to her short-lived super hero stint, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective who gets pulled into cases involving people with extraordinary abilities in New York City.
Tennant is a great actor with a lot of range, and it’s nice to see him getting some higher profile work after the disappointing Gracepoint. We don’t know how closely the television version of Kilgrave will resemble his incarnation from the comic – chances are, Tennant won’t have purple skin for the series – but we’re very much looking forward to seeing what Tennant can bring to the table.
Marvel’s AKA Jessica Jones is expected to air on Netflix in late 2015.
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