Tennant Turns Purple for Netflix Series

The man who brought the psycho out of Harry Potter villain Barty Crouch Junior like no one else could is now taking on an even darker role.

David Tennant, known by legions of Doctor Who fans as the Tenth Doctor, will portray the mind-controlling villain Purple Man in the upcoming Netflix original series, A.K.A. Jessica Jones.

The series is based on the character in Brian Michael Bendis’ comic Alias. Jessica Jones, a former superhero who went by the name of Jewel, works as a private detective. Readers soon learn her departure from the superhero world was strongly influenced by a traumatic experience with Purple Man.

Purple Man, Dr. Zebediah Killgrave, is a former physician and spy who had poisonous chemicals spilled on him while infiltrating a chemical refinery. In addition to turning his hair and skin purple, he gained the ability to control other people’s thoughts and actions. He used his mind control to not only abuse, humiliate, and subdue Jones, but to make her do unspeakable things to her fellow superheroes.

Additional details will result in some serious spoilers, as well as Jones’ relationship with Luke Cage.

Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23) stars in the title role alongside Mike Colter (American Horror Story: Coven, Halo), who is the indestructible Cage.

Netflix will release the entire 13-episode run of the show this year, with Jeph Loeb among its producers. Bendis himself, with the help of Executive Producer Melissa Rosenberg, will pen at least 13 episodes of the show, so fans of the comic will be happy to see it stay in good hands. The comic, one of Marvel’s Max titles, was rated mature, but there’s no word on the rating of the show yet.

A.K.A. Jessica Jones will be released later this year, shortly after the April release of Netflix’s first original Marvel series, Daredevil. Purple Man was originally a villain of in the Daredevil comics, so it will be interesting to see if he makes a prequel appearance in that series as well.

Tennant, who has become arguably one of the most likable actors working today, will have his work cut out for him in this role of such as heartless character. With his tendency to throw himself crazy-face first into all his roles, he should be a joy to watch.