Marvel Studios is adding yet another classic character from the pages of the comics to their live-action line up. Former Grey’s Anatomy actress Rachael Taylor has joined the cast of A.K.A. Jessica Jones, the second series from Marvel set to debut on Netflix this year, based on the comic book series Alias.

Taylor will play Patricia ‘Trish’ Walker, a syndicated radio talk show host, former model and child TV star known to her adoring fans as “Patsy” Walker. As Jessica Jones’ (Krysten Ritter) closest friend, Trish helps her embark on the most dangerous case of Jessica’s career. Of course, comics fans know Walker much better under her superhero identity of Hellcat, and I’d venture a guess that the producers of the show are planning to develop the character in that direction.

The character of Patsy Walker has a long and storied history in the pages of the comics. She was the star of a Betty and Veronica-like title called Patsy and Hedy in the 40s, and then later a romance title in the ’50s. But in the early ’70s, Marvel incorporated her into the Marvel Universe proper as female superhero Hellcat, a cat-themed martial artist character. Hellcat would join the Avengers for a hot minute, but had a much more long standing membership in the Defenders.

Considering that A.K.A. Jessica Jones as well as Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist are all leading into a Defenders series, it seems obvious that Marvel Studios is setting up the character to be a hero in her own right when the times comes for Netflix to roll out that show.

HT [Deadline]