From 2014 to 2020, The 100's cast stand out far more than others. The 100 is a sci-fi adventure show that aired on The CW for seven seasons. Based on a novel of the same name by Kass Morgan, The 100 follows a group of 100 teenage criminals who are sent to Earth hundreds of years after a nuclear disaster to test how habitable the planet is. The teens soon discover the blessings and curses of the world they left behind.
A major element of The 100 is its big cast. From the start, audiences are introduced to several teenagers, each of whom has their own unique past. Later, viewers meet their families, their lovers, and other of the space station they came from. On top of that, the show brings in characters who never left Earth at all, the Grounders. All in all, The 100 has numerous dynamic characters, but those who stick out most are the ones who have unforgettable personalities and who are willing to change, for better or worse, over time.
10 Kane
A Strong Hero Arc
One underrated favorite from The 100 is Marcus Kane. At the start of the series, Kane is characterized as being a pragmatic and somewhat uncaring individual. As a Council Member of the Ark, Kane dedicated himself to the preservation of the human race, regardless of how it affected others. This colored him as an early villain of the series. However, over the course of the consequent seasons, Kane proved himself to be an amazing ally and a loving person.
It is a testament to Kane's character development that some audiences likely wanted him to die in season 1, but eventually, they mourned his death by The 100 season 6.
Among the adult characters on The 100, Kane is one of the best. Where characters like Abby can often get on viewers' nerves, Kane often feels like a true member of the 100. A major reason for this is Kane's incredible villain-to-hero arc. It is a testament to Kane's character development that some audiences likely wanted him to die in season 1, but eventually, they mourned his death in The 100 season 6.
9 Echo
From ing Character To Major Cast Member
Another The 100 character that deserves props is Echo. Despite being introduced as early as the second season, Echo doesn't become truly notable in the series until about season 5 or 6. At the start, Echo is just another Grounder who is deeply loyal to her people, the Azgeda. She poses a threat to the Skaikru more than anything else. Yet, over time, Echo begins to warm up to Skaikru, and becomes integral to the story through her love for Bellamy and her hesitant friendship with Clarke.
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What makes Echo so great is that she managed to go from being a relatively unimportant side character, to being a true member of the main cast. Yet another character with awesome development, Echo proves that the Grounders and Skaikru can overcome their differences and learn to love and sacrifice for each other. Additionally, Echo's story wouldn't have been nearly as compelling without her tragic backstory, which humanizes her in the perfect way.
8 Raven
A Character That Overcomes Her Struggles
The 100 is full of strong characters, but one of the strongest may be Raven. A main character from season 2 and beyond, Raven is a mechanic from the Ark who requests to be sent to Earth to be with her boyfriend, Finn. However, Raven is never characterized solely by her romantic relationships. As a character, Raven is best known for her fierce attitude, her intelligence, and her ability to overcome intense suffering. Over seven seasons of The 100, Raven struggles with nerve damage, torture, and hallucinations.
One of the best elements of Raven's character is that, no matter what The 100 throws at her, she always manages to get back up again. This is impressive for a character who is not the protagonist, and honestly, could have been killed off earlier in the series. Again and again, Raven proves her worth by not only surviving, but constantly helping push humanity forward through her inventions and knowledge. Ultimately, Raven is definitely a character worth iring.
7 Emori
Vibrant & Realistic
A character that proves The 100's adaptability is Emori. A nomadic Grounder, Emori is cast out into the desert because she has a deformity to her hand. She soon finds solace and love with John Murphy, and soon after, she becomes a part of the Skaikru. Emori is an exciting character to watch because she is sassy, opinionated, and sly. Like Murphy, her morals don't always seem so clear, and this makes audiences question what she'll do next. Regardless, Emori proves herself to be a good person, even if she starts out distrustful.
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The greatest part of Emori's character is that she changes over time. At the start, she acts as an interesting parallel to Murphy, putting into relief his own gritty and dark tendencies. Yet, Emori is not completely defined by her relationship with Murphy, and in fact, grows into a fully-fledged person who is interested in mechanics and science. To see Emori soften over time is a real treat, and her loyalty to Murphy is refreshing since The 100's couples were constantly changing.
6 Octavia
The Original Baddie
The 100 is full of fiery characters, but none are as intense as Octavia Blake. From the start, Octavia is introduced as a somewhat rebellious character who is quick to welcome Grounder culture due to her dark origins on the Ark. Despite having many people from the Ark who care about her, Octavia seeks the approval of the Grounders, and miraculously, gets it. She becomes a fierce warrior and a vital part of Skaikru. Yet, it is Octavia's darkness that makes her especially interesting.
Where other The 100 characters go from being villains to heroes, Octavia does something a bit different. Though she starts as a hero, Octavia's violent tendencies take her down a dark road. When she becomes the Blodreina, audiences see just how ruthless Octavia can be. It is hard to watch, but these moments of badness make Octavia much more complex and intriguing to watch. Plus, they make her final redemption that much more satisfying.
5 Lexa
A Groundbreaker
After being introduced in The 100 season 2, Lexa quickly became a fan favorite, and it isn't too hard to see why. As the Commander of the Grounders, Lexa quickly shows that she is a powerful individual, and more importantly, a worthy opponent for Clarke. However, as much as Lexa and Clarke should dislike each other, they have a much more complex relationship. The women are able to look past their differences, bond over their common goals, and eventually, fall in love. In this way, Lexa is not just a fierce female warrior, but she is also a young woman with deep feelings and desires.
Lexa's popularity is perfectly exemplified by the fact that she is a fan-favorite, despite only appearing in two out of six seasons.
The best part of Lexa is the command she has over The 100. There are many characters within the show that have positions of power and authority, but somehow, Lexa stands out among the rest. She demands respect, not only from the Grounders and the Skaikru, but from the audience as well. Furthermore, she is a groundbreaking character for The 100 because she introduces a leading LGBTQ relationship. Lexa's popularity is perfectly exemplified by the fact that she is a fan-favorite, despite only appearing in two out of six seasons.
4 Bellamy
The Ultimate Morally Gray Character
Another beloved character in The 100 is Bellamy Blake. A member of the main cast, Bellamy was first characterized as an adversary to Clarke. Where Clarke wanted to lead the Delinquents with rules and regulations, Bellamy wanted to take advantage of his newfound freedom. This tension between Bellamy and Clarke is a trend that follows the two throughout the entire series, as Clarke always tries to do the right thing and Bellamy constantly finds himself being bad. Despite this, their relationship remains unlike any other on the show.
Bob Morley and Eliza Taylor, who play Bellamy and Clarke in The 100, are married in real life.
Like his sister, Bellamy sticks out among The 100's cast because he is probably the most consistently morally gray character throughout the series. Bellamy does not go from bad-to-good or vice versa, but is usually flip-flopping between right and wrong. This not only makes him a more captivating character, but it also makes him relatable. In tough situations, it isn't always easy to do what is right, and up until Bellamy's The 100 death, he proves that redemption is possible.
3 Clarke
The Beloved Protagonist
A character that simply cannot be looked over is Clarke Griffin. As the main character of The 100, Clarke is the epitome of a hero. She does not hesitate to take charge of situations, and always speaks up for what she thinks is right. On Earth, Clarke's sense of morality is necessary. Surrounded by danger and shifting morals, Clarke is the rock of the show, always guiding audiences in the right direction. While this goodness can make Clarke seem boring at times, it is easy to root for her.
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Clarke Griffin has experienced much throughout The 100, but her story was somewhat light on romance, which may have been beneficial to her character.
Even if Clarke isn't the most exciting character in The 100, the fact that audiences stuck with her for seven seasons says a lot about her worth as a character. The 100 boasts an impressive ensemble, but Clarke is always at the center of it. If she had been any less likable, the show might have been canceled much earlier. However, Clarke proves herself to be a strong protagonist that easily carries the weight of the show on her back.
2 Monty
A Much-Needed Dash Of Sweetness
Although Clarke is considered the biggest hero of The 100, a close runner-up would have to be Monty. Despite being more of a ing character, Monty is a constant in the show, and arguably, is the reason for its happy ending. Monty is utterly loyal to those he loves and will do anything to protect them. Notably, he is also one of the only characters who is averse to violence. Rather than making him seem weak, this trait actually makes Monty seem kinder and more loving than anyone else.
In season 5, Monty decides to watch over his friends as they enter cryosleep, leading to his death by old age.
The reason why Monty ranks so high among The 100's characters is because he sacrificed himself for the good of the people long before Clarke did. In season 5, Monty decides to watch over his friends as they enter cryosleep, leading to his death by old age. In this way, Monty allowed himself to lose out on a brighter future so that his loved ones could make it there. This is just one example of Monty's overarching kindness, which is what makes him so lovable.
1 Murphy
The Greatest Antihero
Ultimately, the best character to appear in The 100 is John Murphy. Murphy's story is the definition of a successful hero arc. At the beginning of The 100, Murphy is shown to be a rather wicked and unlikable character. He attempts to kill various good characters, and is cast out from his people. Yet, over time, Murphy develops into a truly caring individual. Though it isn't always easy, he fights against his malicious ways and come out the other side a genuine hero. This isn't exactly new for The 100, but Murphy's character development is probably the most exciting.
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On top of that, Murphy is simply one of the most engaging characters to watch. He is snarky, skilled, and strong. Though countless people try to take him out, Murphy constantly survives. Overall, it is a wonder to see Murphy go from being absolutely infuriating to being one of the most rooted for characters in the show. Because of this, Murphy has to take the top prize for the best character in The 100.
The 100 is a sci-fi post-apocalyptic TV series set ninety-seven years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization. When a spaceship housing humanity's lone survivors send one hundred juvenile delinquents back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet, they discover that Earth is still inhabited. Now constantly in a state of power flux with warring clans, cannibals, and mountain-dwellers, the juveniles must attempt to survive while re-establishing with the Ark.
- Writers
- Jason Rothenberg, Mallory Kass
- Seasons
- 7
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