Already an acting icon to genre fans for his portrayal as the tenth incarnation of “Doctor Who,” David Tennant has joined the cast of Marvel’ upcoming Netflix series, “A.K.A. Jessica Jones.” Although the official press release refers to his character only as Kilgrave, comic book fans will likely better know the character as the Purple Man, a super villain gifted with the ability to force anyone to obey his commands.
“An enigmatic figure from Jessica’s past,” reads the official character description for the series, “Kilgrave’s reappearance will send shockwaves through the former super hero’s world.”
The Purple Man, whose full name is Zebediah Kilgrave (Killgrave with two L’s in the comics), made his first appearance in “Daredevil” #4 back in 1964. A Yugoslavian spy, Kilgrave was accidentally exposed to a chemical that turned his skin purple but that gave him the ability to force his will on others.
“I’m so honored and excited by the prospect of David inhabiting this multifaceted character,” says Melissa Rosenberg, Executive Producer and Showrunner. “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,” adds 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.”
Set to star Krysten Ritter in the title role and Mike Colter as Luke Cage, “A.K.A. Jessica Jones” will premiere in 2015 with a 13-episode first season. Set after a tragic ending to her short-lived Super Hero stint, the series follows Jones as she rebuilds her personal life and career as a detective who gets pulled into cases involving people with extraordinary abilities in New York City.
