15 Greatest Performances In Marvel Cinematic Universe TV Shows 

2. Krysten Ritter - Jessica Jones (Jessica Jones)

Marvel TV Performances 2
Netflix

As I've just banged on about, David Tennant was pretty great in Jessica Jones. And yet, at the same time, I feel his performance got a little too much praise when the series first came out - at least in terms of it overshadowing (in some quarters) that of Krysten Ritter.

Because while Tennant did an excellent job, Ritter was more than his equal. She was the title star of the show, and the actual star of it too.

Ritter was already familiar with TV audiences after her tragically short-lived performance as Jane in Breaking Bad, and had led Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23. But this was a complete step-up in terms of what was being asked of her and the pressure to deliver, and she absolutely killed it.

Ritter's Jones had to be a hero, but far removed from your typical Marvel good guy. She's a woman who has powers, but struggles under the weight of them and a range of other issues too.

Jones suffers from PTSD, she's a survivor of abuse and sexual assault, she's an alcoholic, she's a detective, she's a superhero. There's a lot going on there, and Ritter balances it all superbly. She's damn good at the no-nonsense delivery Jones requires. You're able to see her vulnerabilities without ever having to really feel sorry for her, and that's because her strength and resilience so clearly shines through.

Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.