Krysten Ritter
Krysten Alyce Ritter (born December 16, 1981) is an American actress, producer, and director.[1][2] Born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in rural Shickshinny, she began her career as a model before transitioning to acting in the early 2000s.[3][1] Ritter gained prominence for her role as Jane Margolis in the AMC series Breaking Bad (2009–2010), which she reprised in the 2019 film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.[4] Her portrayal of the titular superhero Jessica Jones in the Netflix series Jessica Jones (2015–2019) and the miniseries The Defenders (2017) marked her breakthrough to leading roles, earning her nominations for Critics' Choice Television Awards and Saturn Awards, as well as a Webby Award for Best Actress.[5][6] Ritter has also appeared in supporting roles in series such as Veronica Mars (2005–2006) and Gilmore Girls (2006–2007), and she has directed episodes of Jessica Jones.[1]
Early life
Upbringing and family background
Krysten Ritter was born on December 16, 1981, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, to Garry Ritter and Kathi Taylor.[7][8] She was raised in the rural community of Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, approximately 20 miles north of Bloomsburg, in a small-town farm environment that emphasized agricultural life.[2][9][10] Ritter's family structure involved her biological parents, with her father residing in nearby Benton, Pennsylvania, while her mother, stepfather, and half-sister remained in the Shickshinny area.[9][10] This rural upbringing, marked by isolation from urban centers and immersion in farming routines, provided a grounded, non-glamorous childhood far removed from the entertainment industry she later entered.[11]Entry into modeling
Ritter was scouted by a modeling agent at the age of 15 while attending a local shopping mall event at the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, specifically inside a Payless shoe store.[12][13] Born in 1981 in nearby Shickshinny and raised on a rural farm, she was a high school student at Northwest Area High School at the time of her discovery.[2] Following the scouting, Ritter signed with Elite Model Management and subsequently with Wilhelmina Models, marking her entry into professional modeling.[12][14] She relocated to New York City shortly after to pursue opportunities, establishing an international modeling career that included campaigns and runway work.[2] Ritter spent three months living in Tokyo as a teenager, sharing an apartment with other models, which exposed her to the demands of the industry abroad.[15] Her modeling tenure lasted several years, during which she appeared in advertisements and print work before transitioning toward acting pursuits around 1999 after auditioning for a Dr. Pepper commercial.[16] This period provided financial independence but also highlighted the transient nature of modeling, prompting her shift to performance after high school graduation in 2000.[13]Acting career
Early television and film roles (2000s)
Ritter transitioned from modeling to acting in the early 2000s, securing initial guest roles on television. Her first credited television appearance was as Tracy Warren in the Law & Order episode "Everybody Loves Raimondo's," which aired on January 28, 2004. She followed with a role as Bryn in the sitcom Whoopi in 2004.[17] In film, Ritter debuted in the independent thriller Slingshot (2005), portraying the character Beth.[18] Her television presence grew with recurring roles, including Gia Goodman on the UPN series Veronica Mars across seasons 1 and 2 (2005–2006), a high school student involved in the show's mysteries.[19] She also played Allison Stark in five episodes of the Fox sitcom 'Til Death starting in 2006, depicting the daughter of the main couple.[20] Ritter appeared as Lucy, a quirky friend of Rory Gilmore, in season 7 of Gilmore Girls (2006–2007).[21] In film, she had a small part as an innocent bystander in the comedy Heavy Petting (2007).[22] Her supporting roles expanded in romantic comedies, including Gina the Goth in 27 Dresses (2008), a bridesmaid character. She played Kelly in What Happens in Vegas (2008), a friend in the ensemble cast. Later in the decade, Ritter guest-starred as Jane Margolis in season 2 of Breaking Bad (2009), a role that marked an early critical notice for her portrayal of a tattoo artist and recovering addict.[23] She also appeared as Suze in the comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009).[24] These roles established Ritter in supporting parts, often quirky or edgy characters, before her breakthrough in the 2010s.[25]Breakthrough roles (2010–2013)
Ritter's portrayal of Jane Margolis in the AMC series Breaking Bad marked a significant turning point in her career, with the character appearing across nine episodes from 2009 to 2010.[23] Jane, a tattoo artist and recovering heroin addict, becomes Jesse Pinkman's landlord and romantic partner, influencing key plot developments including Jesse's descent into relapse and a pivotal moral dilemma for Walter White.[26] Her performance, blending vulnerability with subtle manipulation, drew critical praise for adding depth to the show's exploration of addiction and consequence, establishing Ritter as capable of handling complex dramatic roles.[27] Following Breaking Bad, Ritter transitioned to lead status in the ABC sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, which premiered on April 11, 2012, and concluded after two seasons on January 31, 2013.[28] She starred as Chloe, a hedonistic, scheming New Yorker who repeatedly sabotages her earnest roommate June Colburn (played by Dreama Walker), while parodying celebrity culture through interactions with a fictionalized James Van Der Beek. The series, created by Nahnatchka Khan, earned Ritter acclaim for her comedic timing and unapologetic portrayal of a self-absorbed anti-heroine, achieving an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews that highlighted its sharp wit and her star-making central performance.[29] Despite modest ratings leading to cancellation, the role solidified her versatility, bridging her dramatic breakthrough with comedic lead appeal.[30] During this period, Ritter also took on supporting film roles, including a brief appearance as a party girl in the ensemble romantic comedy Life as We Know It (released October 8, 2010), and a more prominent part as a free-spirited friend in What to Expect When You're Expecting (May 8, 2012), though these did not garner the same attention as her television work.[31] Her Breaking Bad and Apartment 23 performances collectively elevated her profile, attracting industry recognition and paving the way for superhero franchise opportunities.[1]Jessica Jones and Marvel Cinematic Universe (2015–2019)
In December 2014, Krysten Ritter was announced as the lead in Marvel's Jessica Jones, a Netflix original series set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe's shared continuity with other Marvel Television productions like Daredevil.[32] The first season, consisting of 13 episodes, premiered on November 20, 2015, portraying Ritter as Jessica Jones, a former superhero with enhanced strength and limited flight capability who operates as a private investigator in Hell's Kitchen, New York, while contending with post-traumatic stress from psychological abuse inflicted by the villain Kilgrave (David Tennant).[33][34] The series drew from the Alias comics by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos, emphasizing Jones's cynicism, alcoholism, and reluctance to embrace heroism, with Ritter's performance noted for its intensity in conveying vulnerability amid action sequences.[35] Season two, also 13 episodes, was released on March 8, 2018, shifting focus to Jones's efforts to manage her powers and personal relationships amid new threats, including tensions with ally Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor).[36] Season three followed on June 14, 2019, concluding the series with Jones confronting escalating personal and vigilante conflicts, for which Ritter received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress in a Streaming Presentation.[36][37] Ritter reprised the role in the 2017 miniseries The Defenders, released August 18, which assembled Jones with Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) to battle the Hand organization, marking a crossover event in the MCU's street-level hero narrative.[38] Her portrayal across these projects earned praise for capturing Jones's sardonic edge and internal struggles, with critics highlighting Ritter's ability to balance flawed anti-heroism with physical demands, though the ensemble dynamics in The Defenders received mixed responses on cohesion.[35][39] Ritter also garnered a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her work in the first season.[40]Post-Netflix projects and MCU return (2020–2025)
After the conclusion of Netflix's Marvel's Jessica Jones in 2019, Ritter pursued diverse acting opportunities in horror, drama, and franchise films. In 2021, she starred as the sinister witch Natacha in the Netflix family horror-fantasy Nightbooks, where a boy must tell scary stories nightly to survive in her enchanted apartment; the film, produced by Sam Raimi and directed by David Yarovesky, was released on September 15, 2021.[41][42] In 2023, Ritter portrayed Sherry Cleckler, a confidante to lead character Candy Montgomery, in the seven-part Max miniseries Love & Death, a true-crime drama depicting the 1980 Texas axe murder case; created by David E. Kelley and starring Elizabeth Olsen, it premiered on April 27, 2023.[43] That year, she also took the lead role of Lucy, a 30-something woman uncovering her cloned origins amid ethical dilemmas, in the ten-episode sci-fi series Orphan Black: Echoes on AMC and BBC America, which aired from June 23, 2023, to October 4, 2024.[44] Ritter expanded into blockbuster territory in 2024 with the role of Director Rockwell, a high-ranking G.U.N. operative overseeing anti-hedgehog operations, in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the third installment in Paramount's live-action/animated franchise, released on December 20, 2024.[45] In March 2025, she was announced for a guest-starring role in Showtime's Dexter: Resurrection, a revival of the forensic thriller series.[44] Ritter's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe came on May 13, 2025, when Marvel Studios confirmed her reprisal of Jessica Jones in season 2 of Disney+'s Daredevil: Born Again, integrating the Netflix-era character into the main MCU continuity following prior crossovers like Echo.[46] Ritter described the opportunity as thrilling, revealing she had maintained secrecy for two years prior to the Disney Upfront announcement.[46] By October 2025, at New York Comic-Con, she shared initial footage and expressed natural affinity for the role, while Marvel's head of streaming, Brad Winderbaum, hinted at accelerated development for potential standalone Jessica Jones content, signaling expanded narrative arcs for the character.[47][48]Other professional activities
Directing work
Ritter made her television directorial debut in 2019, helming the second episode of the third season of Marvel's Jessica Jones, titled "A.K.A. You're Welcome," which aired on Netflix on June 14.[49][50] The episode centered on the character Trish Walker, played by Rachael Taylor, and marked Ritter's first time directing while starring in the series.[51] In 2021, Ritter expanded her directing role with the Peacock series The Girl in the Woods, a supernatural horror adaptation of Crypt TV shorts, where she directed the first four episodes, including the pilot "The Door in the Woods."[52][53] The series, which premiered on October 21, followed a young woman confronting mythical creatures in a Pacific Northwest town, with Ritter also serving as an executive producer.[54]Writing and authorship
Ritter's debut novel, Bonfire, a psychological thriller, was published on November 7, 2017, by Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House.[55] The story centers on Abby Williams, an environmental lawyer in Chicago who returns to her rural Indiana hometown of Barrens to investigate a corporate pollution case, unearthing long-buried personal and communal secrets amid small-town intrigue and suspense.[56] Ritter wrote the novel independently, drawing from her own rural Pennsylvania upbringing to inform the setting and character dynamics, though she has emphasized it as a work of fiction rather than autobiography.[57] The book received mixed reviews, with praise for its atmospheric tension and critique for formulaic elements typical of the genre; it explores themes of returning home, corporate malfeasance, and personal trauma without resolving into overt redemption arcs.[58] Ritter has described the writing process as an extension of her creative pursuits beyond acting, prioritizing storytelling over medium.[59] Her second novel, Retreat, co-authored with Lindsay Jamieson, was released on March 25, 2025, by HarperCollins.[60] This thriller follows a con artist navigating high-stakes deception in glamorous yet perilous environments, mirroring aspects of performative identity that Ritter has linked to her acting experiences.[61] The collaboration with Jamieson allowed for a more structured approach, contrasting Ritter's solo effort on Bonfire, and reflects her interest in unpredictable, flawed protagonists.[62] Ritter has noted that writing thrillers enables her to craft "bad" characters who are wounded and complex, unbound by the moral constraints often imposed on screen roles.[63]Music involvement
Ritter serves as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the indie rock duo Ex Vivian, which she formed with her childhood friend William Thomas Burnett.[64] The project originated as a personal outlet for Ritter's musical interests, with all songs on their debut album written by her.[64] Ex Vivian released a self-titled album on July 17, 2012, via Burnett's WT Records label in Brooklyn.[65] The LP features nine tracks, including "Treetops," "Ledges," "Microscopes and Cobwebs," "Pretty Girls," "Is It Possible," "Big Planes and Sharks," "Slamming Doors," "The River," and "In the Meantime," blending introspective lyrics with guitar-driven indie rock arrangements.[66] Recorded to capture raw, honest songwriting, the album highlights Ritter's vocal delivery and guitar work alongside Burnett's contributions.[64] No subsequent albums or major tours have been released by Ex Vivian, positioning it as a supplementary endeavor to Ritter's primary acting career. Ritter has occasionally referenced her music pursuits in interviews, noting a lifelong interest in songwriting and performance that predates her on-screen roles.[2]Personal life
Relationships and family
Ritter was born on December 16, 1981, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, to Garry Ritter and Kathi Taylor; she was raised on a farm in nearby Shickshinny by her mother, stepfather, and younger sister, while her biological father resided in Benton.[67][68] Ritter has maintained a low public profile regarding her romantic relationships, expressing in 2013 that marriage was not a priority for her despite not ruling it out entirely.[69] She dated actor Ivan Sergei from 2009 to 2010 and actor Brian Geraghty from 2011 to 2013.[70] In summer 2014, she began a relationship with musician Adam Granduciel, frontman of The War on Drugs; the couple welcomed a son, Bruce Julian Knight Granofsky, born on July 29, 2019, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.[68][71] Although a 2021 report claimed they had separated after seven years, subsequent public sightings in 2023 and reports as recent as 2025 describe them as partners maintaining privacy around their family life.[72][73][69] Ritter has no other publicly confirmed children or marriages.Privacy and public persona
Ritter has maintained a deliberate separation between her professional commitments and personal affairs, rarely granting interviews that delve into family matters. Following the birth of her son, Bruce Julian Knight Granofsky, on July 30, 2019, with partner Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs, she has shared virtually no public details or images of the child, consistent with a broader pattern of shielding intimate relationships from media attention.[74] [68] This approach aligns with observations that the couple has upheld expected privacy norms amid parenthood's demands, avoiding the typical celebrity oversharing prevalent in entertainment circles.[75] Her public persona contrasts sharply with the brooding, resilient characters she portrays, such as Jessica Jones, presenting instead as an independent, industrious figure unaligned with conventional Hollywood glamour. In a 2018 profile, Ritter described herself as "very scrappy and very hardworking," emphasizing a mindset that prioritizes self-reliance over relational dependencies, stating she would "never be the girlfriend."[76] Off-screen, she cultivates an image of eclectic normalcy through hobbies like knitting, pottery, and animal advocacy, as revealed in appearances where she downplayed partying in favor of "super-nerd" pursuits.[77] Social media activity, primarily via Instagram, reinforces this by focusing on career updates, book promotions, and pet-related content—such as adventures with her dog Mikey—while omitting family specifics.[78] This curated visibility extends to professional secrecy, as evidenced by her endurance of two years of denials regarding Jessica Jones's MCU return, which she likened to "torture" but upheld for narrative integrity.[79] Overall, Ritter's strategy fosters a persona of quiet determination, privileging artistic output and personal boundaries over sensational exposure, with no notable breaches or controversies disrupting this equilibrium.Reception and legacy
Critical assessments of performances
Ritter's performance as Jane Margolis in Breaking Bad (seasons 2–3, 2009–2010) drew praise for its portrayal of a multifaceted addict transitioning from landlord to romantic partner, with critics noting her deadpan delivery and sarcastic edge as enhancing the character's desperation and danger.[25] [80] Her work resonated with audiences and reviewers for adding emotional depth to Jesse Pinkman's arc, marking an early demonstration of her range beyond comedy.[81] In the Netflix series Jessica Jones (2015–2019), Ritter's titular role as a trauma-haunted private investigator with superhuman strength earned widespread acclaim for capturing the character's cynicism, wit, and underlying vulnerability. Reviewers highlighted her authentic depiction of post-traumatic stress, with Variety describing her as playing the role with "charismatic deftness" that made Jessica's flaws compelling.[35] Roger Ebert lauded her final-season performance as "masterful" and her strongest in the series, emphasizing its powerhouse intensity amid weaker plotting.[39] Gold Derby cited her as the highlight of season 2, calling it "fantastic" for sustaining the show's emotional core.[82] Some critiques noted her consistently deadpan style risked monotony, though attributed this to the character's intentional stoicism rather than limitation.[83] [84] Her earlier comedic turns, such as Chloe in What Happens in Vegas (2008) and June in Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23 (2012–2013), were appreciated for sharp bitchy personas but often seen as typecasting her in quippy supporting roles before dramatic leads showcased greater depth.[85] In films like Listen Up Philip (2014) and The Hero (2017), critics ranked her contributions highly for understated nuance, placing them among her strongest non-television efforts.[86] Overall, Ritter's reception underscores a shift from perceived comedic confines to versatile dramatic authority, evidenced by nominations including Critics' Choice for Jessica Jones.[31]Cultural impact and controversies
Ritter's portrayal of Jessica Jones in the Netflix series (2015–2019) contributed to shifting superhero narratives toward more psychologically complex female protagonists, emphasizing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and recovery from sexual assault without relying on traditional heroic tropes.[87] The series, which premiered on November 20, 2015, was credited with providing a "vessel" for audiences processing abuse trauma through its gritty noir style, influencing later adaptations in the genre to incorporate mental health realism over idealized empowerment arcs.[88] Ritter herself noted in 2016 being "humbled and absolutely blown away by the impact that Jessica Jones has had culturally," highlighting its resonance in discussions of female agency amid vulnerability.[89] The character's aversion to costumes and overt heroism challenged Marvel's prevailing aesthetics, fostering broader pop culture conversations on subverting male-dominated superhero conventions, as evidenced by Ritter's role in advocating for character-driven authenticity over stylized elements.[90] This approach garnered praise for prioritizing "character first" regardless of gender, distinguishing it from contemporaneous entries like those in the MCU.[91] Controversies surrounding Ritter have been limited and largely tied to her activism and professional commentary. In partnership with PETA, she narrated campaigns against cetacean captivity, including the "Empty the Tanks" initiative targeting SeaWorld, which drew criticism from marine park defenders for oversimplifying conservation economics and animal welfare in controlled environments.[92] In 2016, Ritter addressed the Iron Man 3 toy line controversy on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, critiquing the lack of accurate female action figures in Marvel merchandise, which echoed broader industry debates on gender representation in consumer products launched alongside the 2013 film.[93] More recently, in April 2025, Ritter's op-ed claiming significant input on her character's costume design sparked backlash for potentially undervaluing the original comic book artist's contributions by comic creator David Mack and artist Michael Gaydos, whose 2001–2004 Alias run established the aesthetic; critics argued such actor attributions reflect a systemic trend in adaptations prioritizing performer narratives over source fidelity.[90] Unsubstantiated 2023 rumors of on-set behavioral issues circulated in niche outlets but lacked corroboration from production insiders or legal filings, remaining unverified as of October 2025.[94]Filmography
Film roles
Krysten Ritter's feature film career began with minor roles in the early 2000s, transitioning to supporting parts in romantic comedies before exploring independent and genre films.[31] Her breakthrough in films came through ensemble casts in mainstream releases, followed by collaborations with directors like Tim Burton and Vince Gilligan.[95] The following table enumerates her credited feature film roles chronologically:
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Mona Lisa Smile | Hallie |
| 2007 | 27 Dresses | Gina |
| 2008 | What Happens in Vegas | Kelly |
| 2009 | Confessions of a Shopaholic | Suze |
| 2010 | She's Out of My League | Patty |
| 2011 | Killing Bono | Marie |
| 2011 | Life Happens | Kim (also co-writer and co-producer) |
| 2012 | Vamps | Stacy Daimer |
| 2014 | Listen Up Philip | Melanie |
| 2014 | Veronica Mars | Gia Goodman |
| 2014 | Big Eyes | Dee-Ann |
| 2014 | Search Party | Nield |
| 2015 | Asthma | Rosa |
| 2017 | The Hero | Lucy |
| 2019 | El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie | Jane Margolis |
| 2021 | Nightbooks | Nat |
| 2024 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Director Rockwell |
Television roles
Ritter's early television work consisted primarily of guest spots on established series. In 2004, she appeared in episodes of the soap opera One Life to Live and the procedural Law & Order: Criminal Intent.[22] Her first recurring role came in 2005 on UPN's Veronica Mars, where she portrayed Gia Goodman, a troubled socialite's daughter involved in the show's mystery arcs across seasons 1 and 2, appearing in 9 episodes until 2006.[96] She reprised the character in the 2014 Veronica Mars film, though this falls outside television credits.[97] From 2006 to 2007, Ritter had supporting roles in multiple series, including Lucy, a quirky Yale student and friend to Rory Gilmore, in 8 episodes of Gilmore Girls season 7 on The CW.[31] She also played Allison Stark in 5 episodes of Fox's 'Til Death. These comedic turns showcased her ability to embody eccentric, sharp-witted characters. In 2009, Ritter achieved a breakthrough with her portrayal of Jane Margolis, a recovering addict and landlord who becomes Jesse Pinkman's love interest, in seasons 2 and 3 of AMC's Breaking Bad, appearing in 9 episodes; the role highlighted her dramatic range and contributed to the series' acclaim for character depth.[98] Ritter transitioned to leading roles in the 2010s. She starred as Chloe, a scheming party girl, in ABC's Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 from 2012 to 2013, which aired 26 episodes before cancellation despite positive reviews for her comedic timing.[99] Her most prominent television role began in 2015 with Netflix's Marvel series Jessica Jones, where she played the titular hard-boiled private investigator with superhuman strength and PTSD; the show ran for three seasons (39 episodes total) through 2019, earning Peabody, Hugo, and Emmy Awards for its gritty storytelling and Ritter's performance as a flawed anti-hero.[31] She reprised Jessica Jones in the 2017 miniseries The Defenders (8 episodes) and the 2018 miniseries The Defenders crossover events.[100] In recent years, Ritter has taken on varied projects, including Brooke in the 2023 HBO Max limited series Love and Death (7 episodes), based on real events, and Dr. Eleanor Miller in AMC's Orphan Black: Echoes (2023–present, 10 episodes in season 1).[101] As of May 2025, she is confirmed to reprise Jessica Jones in season 2 of Marvel's Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, marking her return to the character in the MCU.[46]Directing credits
Ritter made her directorial debut in 2019, helming one episode of the third season of the Netflix series Jessica Jones, in which she also starred as the title character; the episode, titled "A.K.A. I Did Something Bad," marked the on-screen introduction of the Hellcat costume for supporting character Trish Walker.[50][102] In a 2018 announcement, Netflix confirmed Ritter's involvement behind the camera for the Marvel Television production, highlighting her transition from lead actress to director amid the series' final season.[49] In 2021, Ritter expanded her directing work by helming the first four episodes of the Peacock horror-fantasy series The Girl in the Woods, adapted from Crypt TV shorts; this included the pilot episode and served as her most extensive directorial effort to date, while also taking on a co-executive producer role.[54][103] The series premiered on October 21, 2021, and featured Ritter's guidance on a cast including Stefanie Scott, with her direction emphasizing teen thriller elements drawn from mythological creatures.[104]Discography
Ex Vivian releases
Ex Vivian, an indie rock project led by Krysten Ritter on vocals and guitar, issued its sole recording, the self-titled album Ex Vivian, on July 17, 2012, through Brooklyn-based WT Records.[64] The release comprises seven original tracks, recorded as a pared-down folk-indie effort emphasizing Ritter's songwriting and instrumentation.[105] No prior or subsequent releases by the project have been documented in available discographies.[106] The track listing is as follows:| Track | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Treetops | 4:41 |
| 2 | Ledges | 2:48 |
| 3 | Microscopes And Cobwebs | 2:44 |
| 4 | Pretty Girls | 3:53 |
| 5 | Is It Possible | 3:50 |
| 6 | Big Planes And Sharks | 5:49 |
| 7 | Slamming Doors | 4:22 |
Bibliography
Novels
Ritter's debut novel, Bonfire, is a psychological thriller published on November 7, 2017, by Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House.[55] The narrative centers on Abby Williams, an environmental lawyer based in Chicago who returns to her rural Indiana hometown of Barrens to probe a corporate pollution lawsuit, unearthing long-buried personal and communal secrets amid themes of small-town corruption and trauma.[56] [58] Her second novel, Retreat, co-authored with Lindsay Jamieson, was published on March 25, 2025, by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.[60] [108] The book, announced in July 2024, examines psychological tension at a wellness retreat led by a charismatic but deceptive figure, delving into deception, isolation, and interpersonal unraveling.[109] [110]Awards and nominations
Ritter's acting work has garnered two awards and nine nominations from industry organizations, with most recognition centered on her lead role in Jessica Jones.[5]| Year | Award | Category | Result | Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Villain | Nominated | Breaking Bad[111] |
| 2015 | IGN Summer Movie Awards | Best TV Actress | Nominated | Jessica Jones[111] |
| 2015 | IGN Summer Movie Awards | Best TV Hero | Nominated | Jessica Jones[111] |
| 2016 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | Jessica Jones[31] |
| 2016 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress on Television | Nominated | Jessica Jones[111] |
| 2016 | Webby Awards | Special Achievement: Best Actress | Won | Jessica Jones[112] |
| 2016 | Glamour Awards | Best International TV Actress | Won | Jessica Jones[31] |
| 2018 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | The Defenders[113] |
| 2019 | Saturn Awards | Best Actress in a Streaming Presentation | Nominated | Jessica Jones[5] |