Jessica Jones‘ Rachael Taylor is Totally Down to Play Hellcat
One of the best parts of Marvel’s Jessica Jones is the relationship between Jessica and her best friend, Trish Walker. As we know, Trish is Patsy Walker from the comics, who eventually becomes the heroine, Hellcat. (In fact, if you haven’t checked it out yet, Hellcat has her own new comic out right now!) With all the krav maga training and whatnot that Trish experiences in Season One, it’s clear that Trish is ready to take her heroics to the next level. So, too, is the actress who plays her.
In an interview with Comic Book Resources, Rachael Taylor talked about what fascinates her about her character, and why she feels ready to bring Hellcat to life!
On what drives Trish and might fuel her desire to be a hero:
I think for Trish, she’s kind of stuck in a place of reconciling the fact that she used to be a child star and a celebrity, and was very much used to being in the driver’s seat in terms of public persona in terms of being the special one. Then of course, she meets her best friend who is extra, extra special in superhuman ways. And I think the gesture of taking the pill was about — I think for Trish, part of her shadow personality is that there’s a certain covetous part of her. I think she covets some of the things that Jessica has. I think there is an unholy ambition that sits just under the surface.
She declares it in the show. Jessica says, “What else could you possibly want Trish?” And Trish says, “Well, to save the world, of course.” Which is kind of a very unusual thing for a character to say. I do think there’s a part of her that would love to make it right in the way that she thinks Jessica could make it right if she was just to overcome her dysfunctions and put down the bottle.
On possibly playing Hellcat:
I already feel like I have more than my share, in a way, being on Netflix, being in the Marvel Universe, being in this show that has resonated so deeply with people. But of course, I mean, it would be amazing. I mean, it’s already a privilege to play a history that has so much lineage within the Marvel Universe. And to take it that one step further is something that, yeah, I’d love to get my teeth stuck into whatever happens to the character.
On how Trish’s relationship with Jessica shapes her actions:
I remember looking at different child stars and seeing, I think, one of the common threads, or one of the dysfunctions or problems is that they have difficulty separating what they do from who they are, because they’ve been taught that their parents loving them is contingent on their ability to perform, whether that’s for child athletes, or child stars, or child performers or whatever.
I think Jessica met Trish at a part in her life where it was really the first person to say, I like you as a person. I don’t care about that “Patsy Walker” thing that you do. I like you as a person. I think that’s very meaningful to Trish. I think Jessica is the only person that’s ever done that to Trish. So I think there is a deep sense of debt to Jessica for that reason. I think she wants to find a way to immerse herself in the drama that is Jessica’s life and try and make it right for Jessica. I think she wants to save her.
That’s a double-edged sword. That’s not always a very healthy thing to have within a friendship. To want to try and save someone, that’s really not our business. But I think Trish thinks it is her business. I’m intrigued to see where that leads her, how far she’ll take it.
Would you be down to see Hellcat appear on Jessica Jones? Or…would you be interested in a future Hellcat series starring Taylor? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
(image via Netflix)
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