Krysten Alyce Ritter, known for her signature black bangs, gained recognition with her role as Gia Goodman in the TV series 'Veronica Mars' a decade ago.
Now, at 35, Ritter's career has reached new heights, most notably as the Marvel superhero, Jessica Jones, in a partnership with Netflix. However, the early 2000s marked a significant shift in her life, as she transitioned from modeling to a full-fledged career in film. Her film debut, paradoxically, cast her as a model in Tony Goldwyn's 'Someone like you.'
For nearly a decade, she played supporting roles in both film and television, such as her friendship with Rory on 'Gilmore Girls.' In most of these roles, her somewhat dark and sinister aesthetic remained a consistent element. Notably, in the film '27 Dresses' starring Katherine Heigl, Ritter portrayed Gina, "the goth." It was precisely her distinct style that led her to a role that catapulted her to greater prominence on television and earned her the status of a muse.
You may recognize her more as Jane Margolis, Jesse Pinkman's enigmatic neighbor in 'Breaking Bad,' than as Krysten Ritter herself. She joined the successful AMC series in 2009 during its second season. Her enigmatic persona, quirkiness, and the fact that she was a drug addict in recovery made her character irresistible to both Jesse and the show's viewers.
The relationship between Jesse and Jane wasn't a fairytale, yet it was full of intrigue and heroin addiction, which made them dependent on each other and led to a pivotal moment where Walter White couldn't save Jane. This final scene of Jane Margolis is widely regarded as one of the most shocking moments in 'Breaking Bad,' signifying Walter White's descent into moral depravity.
Following her role in 'Breaking Bad,' she made continuous appearances in series like 'Gravity' and landed the lead role in the ABC sitcom 'Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23' as Chloe McGruff. Despite receiving positive reviews, the series was canceled midway through its second season.
Ritter's career took a major leap when she became part of the Marvel universe, a coveted opportunity for many actors. She joined this fictional world through her role as Jessica Jones, based on the comic 'Alias' created in 2001 to introduce a more mature tone into Marvel's stories.
Marvel teamed up with Netflix to bring four superhero stories to the screen: 'Daredevil,' 'Jessica Jones,' 'Luke Cage,' and the upcoming 'Iron Fist,' set to premiere in 2017. These shows are intertwined and set in Hell's Kitchen, a New York neighborhood featured in the Avengers movie. Working with Netflix granted Marvel greater creative freedom, resulting in the character of Detective Jessica Jones. As a superpowered woman, she decides to put her abilities on hold and becomes a private detective.
Krysten Ritter took on the role, setting a new standard and becoming a reference point for future portrayals of Jessica Jones. This character is a complex Marvel antiheroine, providing a strong female voice in the Marvel universe. Her character reflects the desire for determined, non-submissive female protagonists. The second season of 'Jessica Jones' will be directed by women, emphasizing Marvel's commitment to diversity and strong, multidimensional characters.
