This year was our first time attending Silicon Valley Comic Con. We had been considering going, but as soon as David Tennant was announced, that pretty much made the decision for us. Initially, it was going to be a solo David Tennant panel, but Krysten Ritter was added as a guest soon after, and it was turned into panel featuring both of them, since they star on Marvel’s Jessica Jones together. After the schedule shifted around a bit, the dual panel was scheduled for Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 2:00pm in Room 220BC.
Although the panel took place in the largest program room, it only held about 1,500 people, and was completely packed. Following the Sean Astin panel, there wasn’t much movement. Most of the people who did get up from their seats were just trying to get a closer seat, but it seemed like very few people actually left the room. However, Silicon Valley Comic Con staff tried their hardest to get as many people in as possible by making sure that every seat was filled. It’s a small enough room that they could tell attendees to scoot in to the middle, and to raise their hand if there was an empty seat next to them. The convention had set aside an overflow room where the panel would be simulcast, though I’m not sure how many people ended up having to go to that.
Before the panel began, Silicon Valley Comic-Con co-founder Rick White came out and said a few words to the crowd, and commented that this, the convention’s third year, was the best one yet.
After the panel got started, one interesting thing we learned about Krysten Ritter right off the bat is that she knits. At this point in time, she was working on a blanket and a sweater.
If Krysten could have any superpower, it would be Kilgrave’s power (from David Tennant’s character in Jessica Jones, wherein people do what he tells them to). David Tennant commented that it would corrupt you pretty soon, but that at least the first couple of days you could do some good: “Hey, Kim Jong-un, come here. Hey, Donald…”
Krysten Ritter didn’t know what she was walking into when she took on the role of Jessica Jones, as she was the first person to ever play her. What surprises her the most is that anybody watches or comes to see her!
The moderator brought up David Tennant’s upcoming series Good Omens, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett, asking “How many devils can dance on the head of a pin?” but David said that was a spoiler. The moderator also asked about disco dancing, and David replied, “If you want to see me shake my booty, I think it’s around episode 4,” to which the audience cheered with delight.
One of the hardest scenes that Krysten Ritter shot on Jessica Jones was when it was below freezing outside. She confessed that she still has nightmares about it. David Tennant mentioned that logistically the hardest thing was being in a glass bowl with water on the floor, because it was wet everywhere, though [spoiler alert], Krysten reminded him of when there were multiples of him in Season 2. She also remembered that she accidentally hit him in the face, and his nose started bleeding! “My best Stranger Things moment,” David commented.
Krysten struggled to come up with an answer to which of the characters she has played that she admires the most, saying, “I don’t know, I play such jerks!” She ultimately answered Jessica Jones, because she’s strong. David’s answer was Jimmy Murphy, who was an interim manager of Manchester United after the team was wiped out from an airplane crash and held the team together, but never got credit for it. David even met the man’s family.
As for which character they’re the most like, David said, “Definitely not Casanova!” Krysten pointed out that she’s never played any “knitting nerds,” but answered the B in Apartment 23.
One role or topic David would like to tackle is musical theater, which he thinks would be fun. Krysten wasn’t so sure about that for herself, saying she’d probably blow out her voice on day one.
One of the weirdest fan experiences that Krysten has had is that a lot of people ask her to punch them! David recounted his weirdest fan story, which was when he was showering at the gym, “naked as the day I was born,” and another man, also naked, asked him for an autograph. The man handed him a piece of paper, which was turning to pulp while getting doused by water, but he gave the autograph anyway. David said he didn’t think giving autographs is something you should do in the shower, but mused that if someone can’t tell that something like that is inappropriate, he didn’t think it was worth trying to to explain it to them!
Krysten confessed that one of her guilty pleasures is Keeping up with the Kardashians. She said she always thought it would be nice to have a big family because she does not have a big family.
Growing up, Krysten’s favorite heroine was Lydia from Beetlejuice, while David said that his hero was actually the Doctor!
Audience members also got a chance to ask some questions.
One audience member asked David about working with Legion M and Electric Entertainment on Bad Samaritan. He commented that there was a real “family sense” and a friendly atmosphere. David also praised Legion M, which has fans invest in movies, as being “very clever,” in that it gives you a real sense of community behind something.
Krysten told us about how David likes to literally run to set. He confirmed, saying, “I like to get crackin’!” However, he clarified that he just runs from his trailer to set, he doesn’t go for an actual run.
David recalled that when he was in Einstein and Eddington, for a minute he understood the theory of relativity. He read all about it, and was all over the concept for about a week, but now he couldn’t tell you a thing about it.
When asked for advice for aspiring actors, David said that he didn’t like being asked this question, because “it’s a crapshoot.” However, he did say that you should be on time, learn your lines, and be nice, because it’s amazing how many actors don’t do that.
One of the most embarrassing things that has happened to Krysten on set was on Jessica Jones, because Jessica is supposed to be cool and strong, whereas Krysten herself is very clumsy, so one time she was supposed to run, but nothing happened — she just tripped and fell! As for David, he answered in a joking tone that he was very cool and poised, and that everyone thinks he’s great.
David spoke a bit about Billie Piper (who played Rose Tyler on Doctor Who) and having to say goodbye at the end of his first season. He said Billie had been a guide for him, since she had been on the show before him, and that she had become such a great friend, so it was bittersweet that she was leaving the show while he was staying. They had to do a couple takes of their final scene together because it was so emotional.
Krysten mentioned that she had recently picked up Bryan Cranston’s book titled A Life in Parts, which she intended to read on her flight. David said he would like to read that book as well, then suddenly seemed starstruck upon remembering that Krysten knows him [from being on Breaking Bad together]. Krysten told us that he had actually sent her an email the day before. “Tell him I think he’s great,” David told Krysten. In fact, when later asked what actors he would like to work with, David answered Bryan Cranston (though he also answered Bradley Whitford). The moderator brought up the fact that Krysten Ritter has actually written a novel, which is titled Bonfire. Krysten said that she has some ideas for her next novel.
When David was asked which role he struggled the most to get into character, Krysten interjected, “Hopefully Kilgrave!” which was met with laughter. But David’s answer was Cale Erendreich, from his upcoming movie Bad Samaritan.
An audience member asked David if he prefers playing a good guy or a bad guy, to which David replied, “I don’t see them as good or bad.”
As for what’s next for them, Krysten couldn’t really say anything — other than that she’s working on her knitting. However, David told us that he’s currently filming a show called Camping for HBO.
Time ran out for the panel far too soon. This was one of the funnest panels that I’ve ever been to. As much of a fan that I am of David Tennant, this was the first opportunity that I’ve had to see him in person, and I’m glad that I did not pass it up. He and Krysten Ritter had a great rapport, and played off of each other very well. The two kept us laughing for almost the entire panel. I didn’t know it was possible, but I love David Tennant even more now. He has such an animated personality. I hadn’t seen Krysten Ritter in person before either, but she seemed really cool as well! Josh actually ended up seeing them at the airport later that evening — while I was in line for Starbucks. I’m so sad I missed them! But I’m glad I at least got to see the panel. It was definitely worth it.
You can view more of our photos of David Tennant and Krysten Ritter at Silicon Valley Comic Con 2018 below.
When I saw the headline I thought “What do they have in common” and then immediately felt like an idiot for forgetting.
I need to catch up on season 2.