BROOKLYN, N.Y. — When it comes to film and TV, Marvel is on an unbeatable streak so far.

Netflix’s Jessica Jones is the latest entry into the MCU canon that includes the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and more.

Based on the comic created by Brian Michael Bendis (author of Jinx, Torso, The Ultimate Spider-Man and many more), Jessica Jones follows Marvel’s Daredevil and will set the stage for Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Defenders, in which all the main characters will join forces.

“We’re thinking of it as a 13-hour movie,” writer Scott Reynolds says during one of the final days of shooting on Jessica Jones. “The episodes are chapters, like the comics.”

Jones is a “reluctant” former superhero who opens her own private investigative firm — Alias Private Investigations — before getting drawn back into the world of capes and villains.

“She wants nothing to do with it,” star Krysten Ritter says. “She’s kind of a misfit in terms of where she fits in the Marvel world.”

Jessica Jones debuts at 12:01 a.m. PT on Nov. 20 with 13 hour-long episodes. The series will also star David Tennant as villain Killgrave, Mike Colter as Luke Cage, Rachael Taylor as Jessica’s best friend Trish Walker, Rosario Dawson, reprising her role as Claire Temple from Daredevil, and Carrie-Anne Moss as a no-nonsense ally.

Postmedia Network was among a group of journalists who visited the set of Jessica Jones last summer to get the skinny on how Ritter feels about stepping into the boots of Marvel’s newest superhero, the differences with Daredevil, what fans can expect when the Defenders airs and why she isn’t feeling any pressure.

What are people going to like most about Jessica Jones?

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.

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

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.



Krysten Ritter in a scene from Jessica Jones

What do you like best about Jessica?

I love her strength and her power and her coolness ... the only downside, maybe, is she’s tired. She lives in a dark headspace. For me, after living in a dark headspace for an extended period of time, I’ll be ready for a fluffy beach read after this.

What’s it like playing someone with superhuman strength?

It’s crazy to see myself in this way, with all this power.

You’re part of the new wave of female superheroes on TV and movies right now. What’s that like?

It’s so cool. It’s about time. Not only is this one of the first female superheroes (on TV), it’s also one of the first fantastic female lead roles in a show. I don’t wear a costume, I’m a former superhero; I don’t believe in it. I believe I’m the first Marvel female superhero with powers. There’s Scarlet Witch, but she’s pretty recent. It’s history in the making and I get to be part of it.

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?

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.

Does starring in a comic book show mean you’re a nerd?

I don’t think the term ‘nerd’ is used exclusively for people who read comic books. I’m a nerd in my own way, but I’m not a comic-book nerd. I’m totally new to this whole world and excited to be part of it and excited to expand my oeuvre.

Tell us about the villain, Killgrave — the Purple Man.

Killgrave is played by David Tennant, who people know from many things — Doctor Who, Harry Potter — he’s one of the best actors out there. Working opposite him is such an amazing experience. I’m in awe of his talent.

How is this show going to set itself apart from Daredevil?

Our show is very different from Daredevil. That is a bigger world with a larger cast. That show is great, but ours is so different. Comparing the two and comparing our experiences is like apples and bananas.

So eventually, Jessica, Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist will all team up on Netflix’s The Defenders. What can fans expect from that?

All the shows are creating their own worlds and their own characters. This is specifically about Jessica Jones so I have a lot to carry. But I think it will be so rad to have four really strong characters in one place. It’s going to be huge.

Why do you look so banged up right now?

I don’t think I can reveal that since it would give away a major spoiler. I have a lot of wounds from doing this show, though. That I can say.

Twitter: @markhdaniell

mark.daniell@sunmedia.ca

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JUST WHO IS JESSICA JONES?

- First comic book appearance: 2001 Alias No. 1.



- Known aliases: Jewel, Knightress, and Power Woman.

- Powers: Superhuman strength, she can fly and she’s a pretty good detective. “It’s so cool,” Ritter says. “It’s crazy to see myself in this way, with all this power and strength. I could punch somebody and throw them through a wall 20 feet away; it’s crazy.”

- How she got her powers: Her family was in a car crash with a military convoy that was carrying radioactive materials.

- Personal life: She is in a relationship with superhero Luke Cage. “In the comics, it always stood out as being so uniquely special and quirky,” Ritter says of their romance. “It just worked. I think they have a special brand of chemistry and I think that Mike Colter (who plays Luke Cage) and I do as well ... I love doing scenes with him because I know he has my back.”

- Her costume: Jessica wears functional street clothes. As Ritter says, “I wanted her to sort of be androgynous, but also very cool and simple. I wanted people to believe her clothes live on the floor, she doesn’t give a f--- ... but still a little feminine at times. I didn’t want to be sexualized at all. I just wanted to be sturdy and grounded, and I think that’s reflected in my costume.”

- High school crush: Surprise, surprise — it’s Peter Parker.

— Mark Daniell