Skip to main content

David Tennant is making a surprising return for ‘Jessica Jones’ season 2

Jessica Jones' David Tennant as supervillain Kilgrave
Image used with permission by copyright holder
With Netflix and Marvel’s The Defenders mini-series just a few days away, Entertainment Weekly revealed that one actor from 2015’s Jessica Jones will be making a surprise return for season 2: David Tennant (Doctor Who).

Tennant appeared in the first season as Kilgrave, Jones’ mind-controlling archenemy, receiving widespread praise for his performance as the demented villain. The news comes as a surprise because — spoiler alert — the first season ends with Jones (Krysten Ritter) developing an immunity to Kilgrave’s powers and subsequently killing him via a neck-snap.

It is unclear what role Kilgrave will play in the series’ second season. Given his conspicuous lack of a pulse (or a functional spinal cord), we are putting our money on some sort of flashback sequences. With The Defenders inbound, the announcement’s timing should come as no surprise, even if Tennant’s involvement does. We would not be shocked if the Scottish actor’s role in season 2 is limited — even to a few minutes in a single episode.

David Tennant Kilgrave Krysten Ritter Jessica Jones
LINDA KÄLLÉRUS/NETFLIX
LINDA KÄLLÉRUS/NETFLIX

EW also shared a photo of Tennant and Ritter together on-set, clad in their characters’ trademark purple suit and leather jacket, respectively. The second season of Jessica Jones will hit Netflix in early 2018.

The Defenders sees Jones teaming up with fellow Marvel heroes (and fellow Netflix series stars) Iron Fist (Finn Jones), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Daredevil (Charlie Cox) to take on a villain known as Alexandra and played by Sigourney Weaver. These characters have not yet appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but references are made to the Avengers in the shows, so it is not out of the question, which would likely make for some very crowded casts.

To learn more about The Defenders, check out our roundup of all related news and rumors. If you do not mind minor spoilers, we have a review for the first four episodes as well. There are more Marvel-Netflix collabs on the way, too; Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead) is set to star as Frank Castle in a new Punisher series that has not received an official release date, though it could be coming out in November.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Hastings
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick is a Portland native and a graduate of Saint Mary's College of California with a Bachelor's of Communication. Nick's…
3 underrated (HBO) Max movies you should watch this weekend (June 28-30)
A girl looks at a boy in House at the End of the Street.

June is surprisingly over, and with it, a great month for movies comes to a satisfactory close. You've probably watched Inside Out 2 or Bad Boys: Ride or Die or maybe even The Bikeriders. From blockbusters to indie fare, the theatrical movie business has been robust and healthy.

The same goes for streaming. Netflix had a big hit with Richard Linklater's Hit Man, while Amazon Prime Video recently premiered the latest bonkers season of The Boys. HBO and Max have been quieter, but their robust library speaks volumes to the streamer's high quality. The following three films are older, but are just as worth your time as new hits like House of the Dragon season 2.
The Skin I Live In (2011)

Read more
3 underrated Amazon Prime Video movies you should watch this weekend (June 28-30)
Two men spy from a car in The Limey.

As we head toward the end of June, it's worth reflecting on how we want to spend the rest of summer. For some, that's going to mean enjoying nice weather or getting some time in at the beach. For others, it might mean escaping from the heat, at least for a while, to check out a great movie.

If you fall into that second category, then we've pulled together a list of three great, underrated, titles available on Amazon Prime Video that are all worth checking out. Prime Video is home to some of the best movies available online, but it can be hard to find the ones you want. These three will at least give you a great place to start.
The Limey (1999)
The Limey | 4K Restoration Trailer | Plays Dec. 19

Read more
The best Netflix original series right now
Eric and Benedict Cumberbatch in Eric.

The era of Peak TV was also Peak Netflix, because the streamer seemingly had an endless supply of new original series. So far in 2024, that hasn't been the case. Whether we'll ever get the same level of content again seems unlikely for now. But even in a reduced capacity, Netflix still has a few new additions to its lineup of originals.

For the month of June, we're adding the '80s-set thriller, Eric, which stars Benedict Cumbebatch. Our other pick for the month is Supacell, which is Netflix's new British series that remixes some old superhero archetypes. That's not a very big selection for fans who always want something new, but this roundup of the best Netflix original series really does have all of the top options in one place for you. All you have to do is scroll down and make time to binge watch some shows.

Read more