Jessica Jones: Season 2 (2018)
TV SeriesOptionalNetflix era
Jessica investigates the experiments that gave her powers, and faces a new killer. This 2018 season comes from Marvel’s Netflix era. It joined Marvel’s official timeline in 2024, but it’s optional for the films, so we leave it out of our main 81-title order. All 13 episodes stream on Disney+ and Hulu in the US, about 9h 45m in all.
| Release date | March 8, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 13 × ~45 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
Jessica investigates the program that gave her powers and learns more about her mother.
About Jessica Jones: Season 2
Now treated as a vigilante after the events of season one, Jessica is pushed by her sister, Trish, to dig into IGH, the shadowy company that experimented on her after the accident that gave her powers. As people tied to IGH turn up dead, the trail leads to an abandoned facility and to Dr. Karl Malus. It also puts a powerful, dangerous woman in Jessica's path, played by Janet McTeer. Side stories follow Trish's growing obsession with powers and Jeri Hogarth facing an ALS diagnosis.
Melissa Rosenberg returned as showrunner, and all 13 episodes were directed by women. Netflix released the season on March 8, 2018, which was International Women's Day. Krysten Ritter, Rachael Taylor, Carrie-Anne Moss and Eka Darville return, joined by McTeer, J. R. Ramirez, Terry Chen, Leah Gibson and Callum Keith Rennie as Malus. David Tennant appears only as a hallucination. Reviews were positive, at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, though many critics called it a slower burn and missed Kilgrave.
Good to know
- Every episode was directed by a woman, a decision Rosenberg made in 2016.
- Sean Callery got a Primetime Emmy nomination for the season's dramatic score.
- It was filmed back-to-back with The Defenders in New York City in 2017.
- Trish's arc this season sets up her turn toward Hellcat in season 3.
How to watch it
Watch this after The Defenders, since Jessica's reputation and some of her relationships carry over from it. The season is more of a family drama than a villain hunt, so give it a few episodes. Trish's storyline is the part that matters most for season 3. Viewers who liked the character work in season 1 will get the most out of it.
Where to watch Jessica Jones: Season 2 in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+, Hulu |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Jessica Jones: Season 2 outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | None needed |
| Canada | Disney+ | None needed |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
Jessica Jones: Season 2 FAQ
Who plays Jessica's new antagonist in season 2?
Janet McTeer plays Alisa, the main figure Jessica is tracking. Callum Keith Rennie plays Dr. Karl Malus of IGH.
Is Kilgrave in Jessica Jones season 2?
Only briefly. David Tennant returns as a hallucination of Jessica's former tormentor.
Why did women direct every episode of Jessica Jones season 2?
Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg chose to have women direct all 13 episodes, and Netflix released the season on International Women's Day 2018.
Can you skip Jessica Jones: Season 2?
Yes. Marvel added it to its official timeline in 2024, but it’s optional for the films.
How many episodes does Jessica Jones: Season 2 have?
Jessica Jones: Season 2 has 13 episodes, around 45 minutes each.
Is Jessica Jones: Season 2 part of the MCU?
Marvel added the Netflix shows to its official Disney+ timeline in 2024, so they now count as part of the MCU. We keep them out of our main 81-title order because the films don’t depend on them; our Netflix canon guide explains the details.