The Defenders: How Is Alexandra Connected To The Hand?

With just a few weeks left before Marvel’s The Defenders debuts on Netflix one of the biggest questions about the upcoming miniseries centers around Sigourney Weaver’s Alexandra, the villain getting the attention of Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter,) Luke Cage (Mike Colter,) Daredevil (Charlie Cox,) and Iron Fist (Finn Jones.) While Weaver herself has kept quiet on just how her adversary is connected to the Hand (except to describe Alexandra as all about “self-preservation,”) executive producer Marco Ramirez has shared a few more clues as to the link between Alexandra and the Hand.

“In Daredevil and Iron Fist, the two shows with the most references to the Hand, [characters] always say ‘Oh, there are players beyond [those we’ve met] that are bigger than this,’ or ‘There are people that work beyond this who are pulling the strings,” Ramirez told Entertainment Weekly. “The truth is she’s like the thing in the shadows who’s finally walking out.”

Ramirez also tossed out one more clue, this one regarding the character’s name.

“We chose [the name] ‘Alexandra’ because it sounded regal.”

While those tidbits are tantalizing, viewers will have to wait until August 18 to find out for certain just what threat Alexandra brings to The Defenders. The character doesn’t appear to have a history in comic books, but is big enough of a threat to bring the heroes together.

The Defenders will bring phase one of the Netflix Marvel universe to a close, and will likely set up the next big phase of the universe. In addition to the core four shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist), the universe will also be adding a Punisher series to its schedule, though no release date has been announced.

The Defenders stars Charlie Cox (Daredevil/Matt Murdock), Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Finn Jones (Iron Fist), Jessica Henwick (Colleen Wing), Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple), Sigourney Weaver (Alexandra), Elodie Yung (Elektra Natchios), Babs Olusanmokun (Sowande), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Simone Missick (Misty Knight), Rachel Taylor (Trish Walker), Scott Glenn (Stick), Eka Darville (Malcolm Ducasse), Debbi Morgan (Delores), Carrie-Anne Moss (Jeri Hogarth), and Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page).

Daredevil seasons 1 and 2, Jessica Jones season 1, Luke Cage season 1, and Iron Fistseason 1 are all available on Netflix now, while The Defenders is expected later in the year. The Punisher does not currently have a release date. Netflix has announced a second season of Jessica Jones and a third season of Daredevil, but no release dates have been announced for those either.

MORE DEFENDERS: Marvel TV Exec Explains Why Its Universe Relies On Daredevil To Work / Stars Reveals How They Could Team Up With The Avengers