While Marvel exits Phase Two and prepares for its Phase Three slate of films, the smaller scale adventures of their street-level superheroes are unfolding on Netflix. Next up for the online streaming platform is Jessica Jones, starring Krysten Ritter as the eponymous former superhero-turned-private investigator. While the series is building on this section of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing characters like Luke Cage and Kilgrave, there hasn’t been any mention of major crossovers with its predecessor Daredevil. However, now we can expect an appearance from a key character from the Man Without Fear’s supporting cast: Claire Temple, a.k.a. the woman who stitched Daredevil back together on multiple occasions.
Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg revealed to Entertainment Tonight that not only will Rosario Dawson’s Claire be visiting Jessica Jones, but there will also be other minor characters appearing as well. In her words:
I think I'm allowed to say: Rosario Dawson will be dropping in… Smaller characters that populated that world will be popping in.
Dawson signed an “exclusive TV deal” earlier in the year that will not only see her returning for Daredevil Season 2, but will also let her appear in all the other Marvel Netflix shows, including Luke Cage, Iron Fist and the Defenders miniseries. Given that Jessica Jones was still filming when that announcement was made, we wondered at the time whether that meant she wouldn’t appear on that particular show, but now it’s confirmed that she will have some sort of presence.
Claire was introduced in Daredevil Season 1 as the woman who took care of Matt when he was injured during missions. Although she and Matt shared romantic feelings for each other, Claire decided not to pursue a relationship with him because she didn’t approve of his vigilante crusade, but it looks like she can’t stay away from the superhero world for long if she’ll be interacting with Jessica Jones. As for who these minor characters might be, Marvel’s Head of Television Jeph Loeb previously mentioned that Marvel’s Netflix shows take place around the same areas of New York City, so maybe we’ll see some familiar cops, business owners, small time hoods, or maybe even some characters we have a little more rapport with.
Despite the sharing of characters, Rosenberg was quick to warn that Jessica Jones will not be tonally similar to Daredevil. Describing it as a “psychological thriller,” the showrunner stated that the protagonist is a brawler rather than a ninja and while viewers saw Daredevil trying to save the city earlier this year, Jessica is just “out to make rent.” Rosenberg also teased that we may also get to see Ritter in costume as one of Jessica’s “failed” alter egos, i.e. Jewel or Knightress.
Jessica Jones will air on Netflix sometime before the end of the year.
