Who Plays The Commander In The 100

Hey, you ever binge-watch a show and then just NEED to know everything about the actors? Yeah, me too! Especially when it comes to post-apocalyptic dramas with a healthy dose of teen angst. Today, let's dive into The 100 and, specifically, let’s talk about the enigmatic Commander!

But wait… which Commander are we even talking about? This show has more leaders than a political convention. Don't worry, we'll unravel this!

Commander Chaos: A Quick Rundown

First things first: Commander isn't just one person. It’s a title, passed down through generations of Grounders. Think of it like a really cool, really dangerous, post-apocalyptic CEO position. It comes with awesome face paint and the weight of an entire civilization on your shoulders.

So, who plays these powerful figures? Let’s break it down, focusing on the main Commanders that drive the plot!

Lexa: The One Everyone Obsessed Over

Ah, Lexa. Played by the incredible Alycia Debnam-Carey. Let's be honest, she basically launched a thousand ships (and broke just as many hearts). She was fierce, strategic, and surprisingly vulnerable.

Alycia isn't just Lexa, though. You might recognize her from Fear the Walking Dead, where she played Alicia Clark. Talk about zombie apocalypse experience! She's basically a pro at surviving in terrible situations. Imagine her giving survival tips. It'd be both terrifying and incredibly helpful.

Lexa's story is... complicated. Let's just say that her departure from the show was controversial. But her impact? Undeniable. Clexa forever, right? (Don't @ me!)

Anya: The Warrior Queen

Before Lexa stole our hearts, there was Anya, played by Dichen Lachman. She was a total badass, a hardened warrior, and initially, Clarke's nemesis. But hey, enemies-to-allies is a classic trope for a reason!

Dichen Lachman has serious sci-fi cred. She's been in everything from Dollhouse and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to Altered Carbon and even Jurassic World Dominion. She clearly enjoys kicking butt in futuristic (or prehistoric!) settings.

Anya was a force to be reckoned with. She taught Clarke a lot about survival, even if their methods were... conflicting. And Dichen Lachman absolutely nailed that "don't mess with me" vibe.

Ontari: The Twisted Nightblood

Okay, Ontari. Played by Rhiannon Fish. She's... well, she's not winning any popularity contests. Let’s just say she's the Commander you love to hate.

Ontari was ruthless, power-hungry, and generally unpleasant. She was raised to be Commander, but her methods were… extreme. Let's just say she didn't exactly follow the rules (mostly because she made them up as she went along).

Rhiannon Fish brought a chilling intensity to the role. You could practically feel the crazy radiating off her. She's also been in shows like Home and Away and The 100 prequel pilot that didn't get picked up. (Sad face! We wanted more!) She’s a talented actress, even if we spent half the time yelling at the screen because of Ontari's terrible decisions.

Sheidheda (aka The Dark Commander): The AI Nightmare

This one’s a bit trickier. Sheidheda isn't a person, per se. He’s an AI, a consciousness uploaded into the Flame. And then… he got tricky. He possessed people.

Sheidheda's main vessel was JR Bourne, who played Russell Lightbourne, the leader of Sanctum. So basically, he was playing a character pretending to be another character, who was possessed by an evil AI pretending to be even MORE evil. Confused yet? Welcome to The 100!

JR Bourne brought a deliciously evil glee to Sheidheda. He just loved being bad. And JR Bourne is a genre veteran! You might recognize him from Teen Wolf (Uncle Chris!), Stargate SG-1, and various other shows where he's usually playing someone with a mysterious past (and usually a gun).

The Sheidheda plotline got pretty wild. But hey, at least it kept things interesting!

Why We're Obsessed With the Commanders

So, what's the deal with the Commander obsession? Why do we care so much about who plays them?

• Strong Female Characters: The Commanders, especially Lexa and Anya, were powerful, complex women leading in a brutal world. That's something to celebrate!
• The Weight of Responsibility: Each Commander carried the burden of their people's survival. Watching them make impossible choices was both heartbreaking and fascinating.
• The Actors' Talent: Let's be real, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Dichen Lachman, Rhiannon Fish, and JR Bourne (among others who played Grounders) brought their A-game. They made us believe in this crazy world!
• The Drama, of Course! The Commander storylines were filled with twists, betrayals, and shocking deaths. Who doesn't love a good dose of drama?

Basically, The 100 gave us compelling characters, morally grey dilemmas, and actors who could deliver the goods. The Commanders were a crucial part of that equation.

Beyond the Main Commanders

While we've focused on the most prominent Commanders, it’s important to remember that there were others, even if we didn't see them on screen for long. The show hinted at a long line of leaders stretching back to Becca Franco and the creation of the Flame.

Each Commander would have had their own story, their own struggles, and their own impact on Grounder society. It's fun to imagine what those stories might have been!

Final Thoughts: Commander Appreciation

So, next time you're re-watching The 100 (and let’s be honest, you probably will), take a moment to appreciate the actors who brought these complex characters to life. They made us laugh, cry, and question everything. And that's what good TV is all about!

Whether you're Team Lexa, Team Anya, or just plain Team Survival, one thing's for sure: the Commanders of The 100 left a lasting impression on us all.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go re-watch Lexa's introduction scene. For research purposes, of course!