10 Prominent Actors Who Departed The Series Prior to its Conclusion (& Reasons)

Summary

The 100 saw several actors leave the show due to conflicts with the creator and harmful treatment of characters, but Eliza Taylor remained throughout.

Actors frequently depart from popular shows like The 100 to explore other prospects, resulting in the loss of crucial cast members. The demise of beloved characters such as Lincoln and Lexa created a wave of controversy and garnered criticism from the audience.

Many notable actors from The 100 departed the show before its conclusion, with varying reasons behind their departures. The post-apocalyptic science fiction drama, based on Kass Morgan's young-adult novels, aired on The CW from 2014 to 2020. Throughout its seven seasons, the show faced criticism for the problematic ways in which it killed off beloved characters, leading to significant conflicts involving the series creator, Jason Rothenberg. Regardless of the quality of their character's exit, The 100 witnessed a constant rotation of actors due to a variety of factors.

This trend is not uncommon. Although many young actors from The 100 gained recognition through the show, this success also came with its challenges. Specifically, the acclaim earned from one TV series often leads to opportunities in other projects, especially for actors who are not regular cast members. While several crucial members of The 100's cast departed prior to the seventh season, Eliza Taylor, who portrays the lead character Clarke Griffin, remained with the series until the final episode. Based on a "where are they now" assessment of The 100 cast, Taylor stands out as one of the few actors who stayed until the end.

9. Thomas McDonell

Nearly a century after a nuclear apocalypse devastates Earth, a team of young offenders is sent to the planet to assess its suitability for human habitation. Among these hundred teenagers is Finn Collins (Thomas McDonell). Initially, Finn appears to be the obvious love interest for the main character, Clarke — until it is revealed that he is involved with another one of the teenagers who are now on Earth, the engineer Raven Reyes (Lindsey Morgan). After Finn goes on a killing spree against the Grounders, Clarke decides to end his life as an act of mercy, sparing him from a potentially brutal punishment. It was always intended for Finn to meet his demise in the second season, so McDonell's time on the show was destined to be short-lived.

8. Ricky Whittle

Following his introduction in the first season of The 100, Ricky Whittle's character Lincoln, a cynical Grounder warrior who harbored doubt towards Clarke and the rest of the "Sky People," continued to play a significant role for two more seasons. Despite an increased presence in the second season, this beloved character met a grim end in season 3. Whittle, having experienced a toxic work environment, openly criticized the show's on-screen treatment of one of its prominent characters of color, further exacerbating the distress felt by fans. Departing the series due to these troubling circumstances, Whittle went on to take on a leading role in American Gods.

7. Alycia Debnam-Carey

Aside from Whittle's portrayal of Lincoln, the death of Alycia Debnam-Carey's character Lexa, the leader of the Grounders, stands out as the most heart-wrenching and unfortunate event in The 100. Lexa, a strong and determined warrior, unexpectedly became involved in a slow-building romance with Clarke, evolving from enemies to lovers. However, due to Debnam-Carey securing a regular role in Fear the Walking Dead, the writers had to find a way to write her character out of The 100. Regrettably, they chose to employ a tired and clichéd trope by having Lexa meet her demise through a stray bullet, similar to what happened to Tara in Buffy the Vampire Slayer just as she had found happiness with Clarke. In an attempt to make amends to the queer fans, The 100 brought Debnam-Carey back for a few sci-fi cameos.

6. Henry Ian Cusick

Following a six-season run, the beloved character Marcus Kane, portrayed by Henry Ian Cusick, bid farewell to The 100. During this time, Cusick secured the lead role in MacGyver, sparking speculation among fans regarding Kane's fate. Although Cusick skillfully portrayed Kane's demise, the narrative took a twist as the character's consciousness found refuge in a new vessel, played by Greyston Holt. Despite not consenting to the procedure, the newly-inhabited Marcus Kane chose to end his own life, leaving viewers startled within the show's universe. This unexpected turn of events, while not entirely unforeseen given the actor's new commitment, ultimately contributed to the division among fans and hindered the franchise's potential.

5. Paige Turco

From the beginning of the series, actress Paige Turco portrayed the role of Abby Griffin, Clarke's mother. Throughout the show's progression, Abby's character proved to be complex and multifaceted. There were instances when she was easily despised, but there were also moments when she became a pivotal figure in Clarke's life, as well as in the hearts of the viewers. Unforunately, in season 6, Abby's fate took a dark turn following the elimination of Marcus Kane. The show creators decided to shockingly kill off Abby, resulting in a particularly gut-wrenching experience for the audience. To briefly summarize the events leading to her demise, Abby first sacrifices herself, then undergoes a mind wipe, and ultimately witnesses her body being possessed, compelling Clarke to reluctantly eliminate what appears to be her own mother. Later in the series, Turco briefly reappears as Abby's character, when a mysterious entity known as The Judge assumes Abby's form.

4. Kelly Hu

After the premiere episode of The 100, many viewers were left wondering why Kelly Hu didn't reprise her role after the pilot. Hu portrayed Callie, Abby Griffin's closest friend on the Ark. The Ark was a space station where the survivors resided before returning to Earth. Having Callie as Abby's confidant added depth to the storytelling. Unfortunately, due to budget restrictions, the show's team had to make cuts. Consequently, Hu's character, Callie, met an off-screen death. This outcome was highly disappointing for viewers who had connected with her during her short appearance in the pilot.

3. Devon Bostick

Devon Bostick portrays Jasper, a humorous chemist who lacks seriousness, in the first four seasons of The 100. However, everything changes when he is captured by Grounders. Following this, Jasper copes with the challenges of living with post-traumatic stress disorder and relies on his close friend Monty (Christopher Larkin) for support. In an attempt to numb his pain after losing his short-lived love interest, Jasper turns to alcohol. Besides Clarke, Jasper experiences some of the most devastating losses throughout the series.

This fact intensifies the frustration surrounding his death. Jasper's demise initially appears to be an accident related to Arkadia, which Monty fails to prevent. However, it is revealed that Jasper intentionally took his own life, as evidenced by a note found by Clarke alongside his signature goggles. Considering that the original plan was for Jasper to die in the first season, his death seems to be another heart-wrenching decision in the series' plotline.

2. Christopher Larkin

Played by Christopher Larkin for five seasons, Monty was always the epitome of goodness on The 100, distinguishing him as the sole virtuous character in the show. Serving as the moral compass throughout the series, Monty makes a monumental choice in the fifth season, ultimately saving all his comrades. Instead of entering cryo-sleep like the others, Monty and his partner, Harper, opt to remain awake and plot the group's future endeavors. However, they do not end up entering cryo-sleep at all, but rather spend the rest of their lives together. When Clarke and the rest of the gang awaken a hundred years later, they come to realize the immense sacrifice Monty made on their behalf. In the sixth season, Larkin makes a brief appearance, solely existing in Clarke's thoughts as a symbol.

1. Isaiah Washington

Thelonious Jaha, the former Chancellor of the Ark space station, is among the three adults (alongside Abby and Kane) who accompany the 100 teenagers on their mission to Earth. Throughout five seasons, Isaiah Washington portrays Jaha as he gradually loses everything he had worked tirelessly to attain. Notably, he forfeits his leadership position within the group after a clash with Kane over the optimal approach to dealing with the Grounders. Furthermore, Jaha also tragically loses his son early on in the journey. The weight of these hardships propels him on an unexpected path towards the City of Light, an ethereal realm overseen by the artificial intelligence known as A.L.I.E.

Jaha's return brings others into the cult of A.L.I.E., highlighting the detrimental impact The 100 has on its characters over time. He is persuaded to believe that sacrificing agency and losing touch with reality is a worthwhile escape from life's pain. Upon awakening, Jaha is burdened by guilt and embarks on a challenging journey of redemption. However, his efforts are tragically cut short when he is fatally stabbed by one of the group's adversaries. It is rumored that the star, now known for their role in P-Valley, expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of The 100 in season 5 and requested to be written off accordingly.