Jessica Jones will strike again in the near future, as TVLine; The Hollywood Reporter; and Variety report about the series’ renewal. Having spent hours breaking down every episode of season one, with entertainment editor Everett Harn, I am not surprised. Although the timing is suspicious, considering this announcement follows NBCU President of Research and Media Development Alan Wurtzel’s presentation on Netflix’s viewership. The series averaged 4.8 million viewers in adults 18-49 during an average viewing cycle, he said. I guess Wurtzel spoke on behalf of the people because numbers don’t lie. Jones is a superhero worth watching.
Viewers will not have to wait too long for Jones to show back up on screen, as the character is set to appear alongside Mike Colter in Luke Cage. Yes, this Marvel star-crossed love story will continue to unfold later this Fall. Luke Cage is another Marvel series building up to the crossover event miniseries The Defenders. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix chief content officer, Ted Sarados, said “The Defenders production will really determine” the start dates for Jessica Jones season two and the long anticipated Iron Fist series; still waiting for that casting announcement.
Now, add one more Marvel hero’s seat at the table, as TVLine reported recent talks for a spinoff for the Punisher. Reports of Jon Bernthal’s performance as Frank Castle are spawning producers to begin talks, before Daredevil season two drops March 18th, is only adding fuel to my anticipation fire. That being said, a Punisher series will be the sixth Marvel drama series and the fifth one featuring a male vigilante. Where are all the female heroes? These other shows will feature other Marvel heroines such as Elektra (Elodie Yung) and Misty Knight (Simone Missick), but these roles service the titled character hero’s journey. Netflix and Marvel need to continue its pursuits in developing a vast and diverse corner of this universe, not pigeonhole it in the norm.
In an interview with Variety, Jessica Jones show runner Melissa Rosenberg elaborated on how her series distinguishes itself from the rest:
“There are just these wildly articulate insightful pieces being done about a feminist perspective, a political perspective, at a time where these subjects are getting some attention about women in Hollywood and women in the world, and how we’re portrayed in the media. It’s my life goal to contribute something to the world that hopefully moves it in a positive direction.”
Rosenberg will continue these feminist conversations in season two. Jessica still needs to investigate IGH, to unlock answers regarding her abilities. Rosenberg is likely to also delve further into Trish Walker’s (Rachael Taylor) story and possibly have her assume the Hellcat mantel during the second season. I highly recommend the writers use season two to pivot Trish against her psychotic ex, Officer Simpson (Wil Travel) aka Nuke. Let’s not forget Jeri Hogarth kept the dead fetus of Kilgrave’s offspring, to see if his powers could be replicated. Those experimental trails failed, but it’s a plot string that could be reasonably pulled forward into later seasons.
Please comment below on possible villains for Jessica Jones season two.
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