I’m certain that David Tennant’s Kilgrave should come beck to theMarvel Cinematic Universe– but that doesn’t mean undoing his perfect death inJessica Jones.David Tennant’s turn as Kilgrave in Netflix’sJessica Jonesremains one ofthe MCU timeline’s most chilling villain performances. Equal parts charismatic and horrifying, Kilgrave’s manipulative grip over his victims was made even more terrifying by Tennant’s unnerving charm. His story ended definitively in season 1 with a well-earned death. However, I think there is a route back that doesn’t undermine his death.
David Tennant’s Kilgrave was the thrilling central foe inJessica Jones, whose mind-controlling abilities made him one of the most terrifying figures in Marvel TV history. His obsession with Jessica, and the way the series handled his abuse, gave the show a strong emotional foundation that culminated in a dramatic and satisfying confrontation in the finale. Kilgrave died at Jessica’s hands — literally — in an act that was both empowering and tragic. Bringing him back to life just to cash in on nostalgia would be a mistake, but there is a way for him to appear inthe MCU’s future.
David Tennant’s Kilgrave Died In Jessica Jones’ Season 1 Finale (& I Don’t Think It Should Be Undone)
Season 1, Episode 13 “AKA, Smile”
In the world of comic books and superhero media, death is rarely permanent. However, not all deaths should be reversed. Kilgrave’s death was narratively essential. Jessica reclaiming her agency and ending his reign of terror wasa powerful conclusion to her character arcthat shouldn’t be diminished.
Yes, Tennant’s performance was unforgettable — so unforgettable, in fact, that he returned briefly in season 2 as a hallucination conjured by Jessica’s guilt. That creative workaround was the perfect way tohonor the character without undoing the impact of his death. To revive him in the flesh, especially in a continuity that already struggles with keeping its timeline tidy, would undercut everythingJessica Jonesbuilt. Yet there’s another way to keep Tennant’s chilling presence in the MCU — without touching the grave.
Marvel Comics Sets Up A New Way For The MCU To Explore The Purple Man’s Story Without Just Bringing Him Back to Life
Marvel Comics Introduced Killgrave’s Successor
In the comics, Zebediah Killgrave had several children, the most prominent being the Purple Children — individuals who inherited his powers, each withvarying degrees of his malevolence. Among them is Kara Kilgrave, also known as Persuasion, who stands out for not being a carbon copy of her father. Unlike her infamous dad, Kara has flirted with both heroism and villainy.
Her mind-control powers are similar, but her choices and morality have often diverged. She’sa perfect vessel for a new generationof storytelling, especially in a post-Avengers: EndgameMCU that’s actively introducing younger heroes like Kate Bishop, Kamala Khan, and the rumored Young Avengers. Introducing Kara into the MCU would serve multiple purposes.
Introducing Persuasion would extend the Purple Man legacy, explore the trauma of growing up under his shadow, and allow for flashbacks featuring David Tennant. This could reintroduce Kilgrave, not as a revived threat, but asa haunting memory. This approach lets us keep the best parts of Tennant’s portrayal without undermining the past.
Why I Think Exploring Purple Man’s Successors Is Better For The MCU Than Just Retconning His Death
Kilgrave’s Legacy Could Continue To Haunt Jessica
First, this strategy respects the continuity ofJessica Jones, which — while part of the now-defunct Marvel/Netflix lineup — is quietly being folded back into the MCU thanks toDaredevil: Born Againand other rumored appearances. Retconning Kilgrave’s death would raise messy questions about canon, especially in a franchisealready juggling timelines, variants, and multiverses. Second, focusing on Kara or other Purple Children opens up compelling thematic territory.
Their story would explore what it means to inherit the legacy of evil, and whether someone born with dangerous powers choose a different path. These are rich, character-driven questions the MCU has only scratched the surface of. Finally, the inclusion of successors doesn’t preclude Tennant’s return in flashbacks or as a psychic projection. It actually creates more space for that. His influence on Kara or others could be explored through deeply personal scenes, making his presence feltwithout repeating old ground.
It also plays perfectly into the MCU’s evolving structure. As the franchise seeks to build on past successeswithout rebooting them wholesale, legacies — like that of Iron Man, Captain America, and potentially the Purple Man — offer a path forward that honors what came before while introducing new dynamics. David Tennant’s Kilgrave is too good to forget, but not so essential that he needs to be resurrected. TheMCUcan and should continue his story by passing the torch to the next generation.
