Three new talents have today been announced as part of the cast of Netflix’s second upcoming Marvel series, “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones.” Look for Eka Darville (“Empire,” “The Originals”), Erin Moriarty (The Kings of Summer, “True Detective”) and Wil Traval (“Red Window,” Primal) to join the series, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Taking place after a tragic ending to her short-lived Super Hero stint, the series follows Jessica Jones (“Breaking Bad” and “Don’t Trust the B- in Apt. 23″ star Krysten Ritter) 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.
Darville will play Malcolm, described as “a neighbor of Jessica’s whose own journey will intertwine with her quest in a surprising way.”
“Eka brings such depth, humor and nuanced performance to the characters he plays, which makes him the perfect person to portray Malcolm,” says Executive Producer Melissa Rosenberg. “I’m looking forward to seeing what he will bring to this role.”
Although far from confirmed, it’s possible that the character is Malcolm Drake, a minor “Heroes for Hire” character from the late 1990s. The net is far wider for Traval’s unnamed character, however, described as being “an NYPD cop who takes ‘protect and serve’ very seriously.”
“Wil Traval is a very emotionally courageous actor, able be profoundly vulnerable, or venal, or funny or fierce,” Rosenberg continues. “I’ve been searching for an opportunity to work with both Erin and Wil again, and am excited to see them in these roles.”
Moriarty’s role, meanwhile, is said to be a young girl named Hope “who becomes a client of Alias Investigations.”
“In Erin I immediately recognized an incredibly talented, mature and complex actress, who brings myriad levels to every scene,” says Rosenberg. “She has an incredible career in front of her and I’m delighted we have someone of her caliber for this important role.”
“All three of these enormously talented actors bring even more layers of depth and nuance to Jessica’s world,” adds Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer/Marvel’s Head of Television. “Together they help flesh out what is already a phenomenal cast in a series we believe will be truly remarkable.”
Also starring on the show are the previously-announced David Tennant as Kilgrave, Rachael Taylor as Patsy Walker, Mike Colter as Luke Cage and Carrie-Ann Moss as Harper. Planned as a 13-episode season with Rosenberg (“Dexter”) serving as executive producer and showrunner, the series will debut later this year.
