Zendaya plays Michelle “MJ” Jones-Watson in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
MJ is Peter Parker’s former classmate and ex-girlfriend in the MCU Spider-Man films. After the memory spell at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, MJ no longer remembers Peter or their relationship.
In Brand New Day, MJ attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with Ned Leeds and shares an apartment with him. She also has a new love interest, creating emotional tension for Peter as he tries to remain part of her life without being remembered.
Zendaya worked with the film’s writers to preserve MJ’s distinctive quirks while allowing the character to mature. Her performance continues the role she first played in Spider-Man: Homecoming.