Krysten Ritter Reveals Why Luke Cage’s ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Reunion Was Crucial for Jessica Jones

Spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Episode 8.

Krysten Ritter has long known that Jessica Jones would return in Daredevil: Born Again, but the timing and execution were carefully crafted. One element was non-negotiable: Luke Cage’s presence.

After Mike Colter and Finn Jones were spotted filming Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 last month, fans speculated they wouldn’t appear this season. Ritter’s return in Episode 6—with a daughter but no Luke—only fueled the uncertainty. Episode 7 revealed Luke was overseas, "doing the lord’s work," sparing Jessica the burden. But in the season finale, he made a surprise return, seemingly for good after Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) took over his role.

The reunion was brief but pivotal. In the final moments, Luke, Jessica, and their daughter Danielle reunited at Alias Investigations. Ritter confirmed to TheWrap that Colter’s return was always tied to hers.

"It was really about … when we’re bringing [Jessica] into ‘Daredevil,’ let’s justify it. Let’s see what she’s doing. And that felt like a character — the most important thing for her character, there, was to bring him."

Ritter recalled discussing the reunion with executive producer Sana Amanat, who suggested bringing Colter back. Ritter volunteered to call him personally.

"I’m very close friends with Mike in real life, and there’s such a difference between how we are when we’re on my back porch, versus how we are when we’re in character. Getting to see when he first walked through the door, I felt emotional, and it was a big day."

"It was like, Oh my God. It just felt like no time had passed, but also this, like, just magical thing that we’ve gotten to do together. Their relationship is just so special. So that was really exciting. I think the whole crew and everybody there felt it as well. And it was just so delicious."

Jessica Jones and Luke Cage’s relationship is iconic in the comics but received limited screen time in their Netflix series. They shared a brief romance in Jessica Jones Season 1 and later fought together as Defenders, but their on-screen relationship never culminated in a family—until now.

"It’s a storyline that we had always wanted to explore and are excited about," Ritter said. Showrunner Dario Scardapane allowed her to shape the scene, emphasizing the unspoken chemistry between Jessica and Luke.

"I know the character so well, and I know Mike and Luke’s character so well, and it was really important to me that we really captured that kind of unspoken chemistry and spark and electricity that Jessica and Luke have just naturally."