Everything Marvel

Krysten Ritter Says Her Character Is “The Best Role” That She’s Ever Seen

Q: What are people going to like most about Jessica Jones?

Ritter: Jessica Jones is an incredibly rich character with a lot of demons to overcome. For me, it’s everything I dreamed of as an actress all in one role. I get to be really strong. I also get to be vulnerable at times. I get to be funny at times. I get to walk around looking like a badass and I get to beat the s— out of people. It’s a tour de force part. It’s the best female or male role that I’ve ever seen. I’m so fortunate they picked me to do it.

Q: Jessica Jones isn’t a household name among superhero fans. What did you know about her?

Ritter: I was not familiar at all with the comic, so I was pleasantly surprised when I read it. I realized what a f—ed-up, sarcastic, dry, tough character she is.

Q: Everyone knows the heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You’re playing someone people are less familiar with. Do you feel any pressure because of that?

Ritter: It gives us a lot of freedom. The comics are beloved by fans because it’s a great book, but it’s not the most popular comic book character we’ve heard of. So it is as much developed for television as it was in the comic books. There is freedom there. The comic books are a jumping off point, but we really did create her and create the world and this hasn’t been done before, so there isn’t a mould I have to live up to. It’s not like I’m playing Batman.