Krysten Ritter is set to star in Marvel’s Jessica Jones, which will be available for superhero fans and Netflix addicts on November 20. Ritter will play the titular character, a former superheroine suffering from PTSD after encountering a dangerous supervillain. Following Netflix’s Daredevil, the events of Jessica Jones will also take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films.
Jessica Jones will be the first superheroine to be the lead within the MCU. The decision to cast Ritter as the deeply troubled Jessica Jones makes perfect sense. A Breaking Bad alumni, Ritter has an impressive history of playing dark, sarcastic characters on the brink of self-destruction. To help you become better familiar with Ritter before her soon-to-be praised performance, here’s a brief rundown of some of Ritter’s past roles.
Veronica Mars (2005-2006, 2014)-“Gia Goodman”
Along with a killer new mystery, the second season of Veronica Mars introduced a couple new characters to shake up the town of Neptune. One group of newcomers for teenage sleuth Veronica Mars to investigate was the wealthy and ambiguous Goodman family.
Gia Goodman, a chipper teenage socialite and lovable airhead, was one of Ritter’s first prominent acting roles. Ritter brought humor and levity to a dark, tense season with her ditzy portrayal of Gia.
Ritter later reprised the role nine years later in the Kickstarter-funded movie. During the time lapse, Gia Goodman became more akin to a dangerous femme fatale than a clueless ditz; Ritter effortlessly sold the shift in personality and ended up making a lasting impression on fans and casual viewers alike.
Veronica Mars is available to view on Amazon Prime. Get on it.
Breaking Bad (2009–2010)-“Jane Margolis”
Ritter’s nine episode tenure as Jane Morgolis, a recovering heroin addict who eventually becomes Jesse Pinkman’s girlfriend, is perhaps her most iconic role to date.
Ritter’s portrayal of the sardonic and intellectual Jane was intense. She delivered a soul-crushing performance during her scenes with both Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. Ritter conveyed threatening menace and self-destructive vulnerability in equal measure, especially when her resolve against her addiction began to falter. Despite departing from the show at the end of season 2, Ritter’s character still had a lasting impact on the central relationship of Walter and Jesse up until the very end.
Breaking Bad, along with Ritter’s scene-stealing performance, is available to view on Netflix.
Don’t Trust the B---- in Apt 23 (2012-2013)-“Chloe”
Ritter’s first stint as a lead in a show was on ABC’s quirky female-led, female-written comedy, Don’t Trust the B---- in Apt 23. The B was censored so you know the show was edgy.
Described as the ultimate party girl with the morals of a pirate, Ritter played Chloe, the titular bitch, bringing manic energy and wild absurdity to every scene she was in. Watching Ritter play a character so uninhibited and unfiltered was hilarious and invigorating.
The show, a dark and colorful comedy, was also noteworthy for having strong, positive portrayals of female sexuality and female empowerment, which is what I’m all about.
More female empowerment, less female exploitation; every day, all day.
Watch Ritter sprout hilarious one-liners with her costars, Dreama Walker and James Van Der Beek, on Don’t Trust the B---- in Apt 23, which is available on Netflix.
Other Roles
Gilmore Girls (2006-2007)-"Lucy"
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)-"Suze"
Vamps (2012)-"Stacy"
Big Eyes (2014)-"DeAnn"
