All the pieces that Charmaine Diyoza was is every little thing that we wish to be.
From the second, she crashed into The 100 universe; it was obvious that we had been within the presence of a unprecedented girl.
Diyoza had a full circle storyline, from her time as the brand new large unhealthy to the acquainted hero that we needed to root for, all in simply three seasons. She was a chilling antagonist, who solely wanted some much-deserved screentime to showcase her improvement.
All of it accrued right into a The 100 Season 7 arc that centered on Diyoza’s journey as a mom. She was capable of finding momentary peace with Hope and Octavia on Sky Ring throughout The 100 Season 7 Episode 2, and from there, issues took a flip.
However Diyoza took it in a stride, doing every little thing she might to get again to her daughter. However time dilation made that reunion completely different than both of them anticipated, however nonetheless simply as emotional.
Ivana Milicevic delivered a shocking efficiency as a mom discovering her little one once more, whereas on the similar time scuffling with the truth that she could not cease Hope from venturing right into a darker function as an grownup.
Diyoza stopped at nothing to attempt to assist Hope see that the longer term cannot be filled with resentment and anger, a lot in order that her final moments had been all about defending her daughter from making a mistake she may not get better from.
That grew to become a alternative that Diyoza could not get better from, as she grew to become an precise crystal reminiscence in Bardo.
Taking a while out to reply our questions, Ivana Milicevic shares her ideas on Diyoza’s remaining journey, her relationship with Hope, and the message that she hopes followers take away from Diyoza’s legendary presence.
Ivana additionally shared what planet she loved exploring as Diyoza essentially the most.
The 100 Season 7 Episode 10 was such a giant episode. We would not get to see you once more this season, which was a really large loss. How a lot do you know about Diyoza’s journey in season seven as you began to movie it?
I knew that they discovered a good way to have Hope not be a child, which was nice. I did not fairly perceive all the time dilations as a result of that was loopy, sci-fi mumbo-jumbo, so I couldn’t work out how he was going to do it, however [Jason Rothenberg] did it fairly nicely, I assumed.
I knew that when Hope got here again as an grownup, and we acquired reconnected, that though I attempted actually onerous to not let her be like me, and I did not let her practice as a warrior or soldier, that the worst factor on this planet occurred and he or she grew to become one anyway.
I wasn’t there to information her, though Octavia was instructing her somewhat bit.
So, I knew that, and I assumed I might die as a result of I could not do the entire season due to household and time constraints. Jason wasn’t certain if he’d have me die or one thing else, however in my coronary heart, I hoped I might get some actually badass loss of life, which I acquired.
Sadly, Diyoza’s loss of life felt unavoidable from the second she and Hope reconnected, however I do not assume any of us anticipated her to exit like that. Did you assume that was a becoming exit for Diyoza as a result of it was very stunning.
Sure, a mom sacrificed herself for her little one, which any mom would.
So it was a last-ditch effort, a hail Mary, to do her greatest to make sure that Hope’s soul is saved and he or she does not go down the identical path that Diyoza did.
Pondering of happier instances, it was fascinating how Penance was seen as a punishment on Bardo, however to Diyoza, it was a spot of peace for the transient time that she did get to be there. It did not final lengthy, however what was it like so that you can get to discover this cut-off date when Diyoza was pleased along with her household?
I believe that is the peace she had been preventing for her complete life.
There they had been — simply the three of them for some time anyway. There was no one there to mess it up till, in fact, any individual got here to mess it up, but it surely was excellent and manageable. And after nonetheless a few years that she consciously lived, lastly, she might take a breath.
Lastly, she might exhale.
You and Diyoza form of went by motherhood collectively. Clearly, there was a little bit of time between seasons, however you continue to form of had been on this journey collectively. How did you convey your experiences as a Mother into Diyoza’s journey in season seven?
Diyoza, you’ll have thought that earlier than this that she was the least maternal particular person within the universe. I most likely would have thought the identical factor, however when you change into a Mother, there’s a maternal intuition that kicks in, even once you’re pregnant, that grows all through your being pregnant and explodes after you give start.
I felt very protecting even once I had the opposite child Hopes that I used to be working with. I used to be crying simply because there have been infants on set. And I assumed, “I hope they are not chilly.”
You get very comfortable however very onerous.
It’s a undeniable fact that even individuals who assault girls, the sensible ones know you need to by no means assault a mom, particularly with infants round, or kids, as a result of she’s going to go into another zones and homicide you or worse. They do not even keep in mind what occurred. By the point they’d an thought to gouge their eyes out with the important thing they’re holding, it already occurred.
So there’s some secret energy that moms have anyway. Mama bears. Girls who would by no means damage anybody, if their child is round, we’ll do issues that you can by no means do underneath different circumstances.
So even when Diyoza weren’t a educated SEAL and killer, this may have occurred. So think about a educated SEAL and killer with protecting, mothering instincts.
Overlook it, recreation over.
That’s true. What was your expertise attending to movie with so many alternative variations of Hope?
All of them form of occurred shortly, for essentially the most half. All of the infants and little women in comparison with the working hours I set to work with Shelby. Even once I was working with the infants, Shelby was typically round, coming over, spending the night time, and dealing on our stuff.
It was so stunning to me.
I used to be already a maternal particular person earlier than I used to be a mom. I used to be additionally a badass earlier than I used to be a mom in actual life. And motherhood makes you softer and more durable on the similar time.
You spent all this time with these completely different variations of Hope, and then you definitely lastly acquired to the purpose within the narrative to satisfy Shelby’s model of Hope. What was it like so that you can play off of Shelby in that manner? Particularly within the scene the place they had been locked in collectively throughout The 100 Season 7 Episode 7, they usually needed to unload all of their ache that they have been holding again from each other.
There is no such thing as a higher ache than a mom realizing that she could not shield her little one. So Diyoza felt powerlessness after which offers with it by protecting it with anger. It was somewhat bit tough to play.
Truly, it was onerous to seek out as a result of there I noticed my daughter for the primary time in, not that lengthy from me, however fifteen to twenty years for her. So I really feel all that ache of questioning what would occur to you whilst you had been alone and considering I am such a failure for not with the ability to have been there for you throughout that point.
And but, I am so offended that you just went down this path, and I do not know which emotion to make use of on you to get you to grasp that this isn’t the way in which. It was a tough factor to play, really. To not point out, poor little Hope being so upset with me for leaving and upset with the Disciples for taking me away from her. Me and Octavia.
Diyoza spent her final episode attempting to get Hope to let go of that ache and that anger that she had in her coronary heart. It did not go in addition to we’d have hoped. What do you assume Diyoza hopes comes from this for Hope?
That was all a last-ditch effort of what a mom did for her little one, actually sacrificing herself so that there is time for Hope to make a more sensible choice for her life.
It’s of venture. Who is aware of? She would possibly assume, “That sucks. I am much more pissed.” However this was the one shot she had.
So if that does not present her how pointless the trail that she’s at present on is, then I do not know what would. It’s one factor to see any individual die like that slowly, your mom — that is those that she needs to maintain.
I used to be going to say folks she needs to kill are any individual’s moms, however not a lot on Bardo, really.
Leaping to a different relationship, Diyoza and Octavia got here a good distance. Diyoza appeared in season 5, and he or she did not have, what we’d say are shut relationships, however she shaped a bond with Octavia over time. What it was like so that you can develop that relationship in your scenes with Marie.
That was a lot enjoyable. It was probably the most developed relationships I acquired on The 100, and it was enjoyable to discover as a result of Octavia’s so robust and badass. But, I am simply older, clever, and wisecrackier, and for many of our relationship, pregnant-er.
I liked attending to be dry along with her as a result of she was all that point she was like, “Love is weak. Love is weak. Blah, blah, blah.” And I do not know the way to really feel about love both. I am not attempting to push love on you, however the stuff you’re doing, they’re dumb. She was simply so enjoyable to play with. We acquired to be caught within the goo.
It was a very good time.
There was this opening scene on this season the place we lastly see Diyoza after not realizing the place she was in Bardo. She had this form of epic sequence the place we went by her complete time in Bardo, main as much as her reuniting with everybody. How enjoyable was it so that you can try this?
That was most likely my favourite. I liked once I first acquired taken to Bardo. We noticed Octavia’s previous after which mine. That was a very enjoyable sequence to shoot. We hadn’t actually seen Diyoza be Diyoza. We noticed her throughout The 100 Season 5 when she had a struggle scene when she was pregnant.
So clearly she’s a badass, however we have not seen her be the conniving, crafty, cruel killer that we have heard about. I believe that form of confirmed why folks had been fearful of her as a result of it was simply so vicious.
I assumed that was an superior sequence.
Was there anyone you would like you shared extra scenes with this season that you just did not get to?
At the start of season 5, Diyoza and Clarke had lots to do, and I actually love Eliza. She’s so form. And Lindsey. I really like the women on the present a lot. I really like the boys too, however I simply had extra to do with the women—simply all the ladies.
I can not decide a single particular person. When it comes to character arc, Eliza and I had been speaking for some time earlier than we knew the place season seven was going. We had been like, would we two moms unite in some form of mommy and me group? However that did not occur. We went in completely completely different instructions.
All people. I really like our solid, and I used to be such an outsider as a personality for therefore lengthy. It was good to get extra of them on the finish.
What was your favourite reminiscence of your time on The 100?
Being pregnant on the present was actually particular. Simply that complete time, I used to be so drained. I saved all my power simply to do a scene. After which I might cross out in a chair till it was my flip to go once more. That was such a particular time.
And I really like my medley. My jolly, pleased medley of coming to Bardo. And my loss of life was actually intense.
That was a really stunning scene.
It was a full circle as a result of they most likely didn’t use the scenes the place I used to be crying lots as a result of it was most likely unusable. It got here so full circle for me. Shelby crying her eyes out for her mom, and I am her considering, “You were not even imagined to be right here. You are right here as a result of I really fell pregnant with my stunning son in actual life.”
And now take a look at all of those stunning issues that occur — this stunning story arc on this superior present that ended up lasting three years. I acquired to satisfy Shelby and have a friendship with this stunning lady that performed my daughter. It was superior.
It was emotional for me in actual life.
Simply the complete circle of all of it, to not point out, tomorrow is the anniversary of my brother’s loss of life, which is admittedly necessary as a result of on the primary anniversary of my brother’s loss of life, I acquired the present, and The 100 was my brother’s favourite present. At the moment, I truthfully had by no means even heard of it, however my different brother informed me that.
It was actually full circle and magical, you realize, I came upon I acquired pregnant round it. All the pieces was form of from on excessive. It was very emotional.
However right here we’re, tomorrow is the anniversary once more, it is gravy, and we’re speaking about it. So it is one other full circle.
What did you study out of your time on the present?
I used to be already grown up, I assume you can argue, however I grew up extra on there. I prioritized the issues that had been necessary. It is all very private, but it surely occurred as I used to be engaged on the present.
It is not that I discovered something specifically about appearing greater than I usually do. Clearly, each job enriches your talent hopefully, but it surely was rising up, being snug in my pores and skin, and simply giving it my all emotionally and never worrying an excessive amount of about what I appear to be for the primary time in my life—simply being current.
What do you hope, pun meant, the followers take away from Diyoza’s legendary time on The 100?
Have a look at this arc: she went from terrorist to prisoner, to mom to survivor, to mom, buddy, and confidant. After which for one break up second, a savior. That’s one hell of an arc.
I do not know if everybody can say they get an arc like that.
And what can be the takeaway from all of that? Develop. Develop every single day, and no matter does not give you the results you want — let it go and seize the opposite department that works higher and develop. Develop, evolve, transcend.
That’s the theme of the season as nicely, it seems like: transcendence.
Transcendence. Transcend the crap. We now have to.
Have a look at what we’re all going by. We’re in it. So our solely option to go up as a result of you possibly can’t transfer aspect to aspect. We actually gotta be six toes other than all people.
What was it like being on a present like The 100? It looks as if an surprising expertise, leaping from planet to planet. There are such a lot of new issues launched each season.
I really like sci-fi, and I believe this was the primary I’ve finished it. So, that was nice for me.
I liked our loopy costumes. I liked that I might look soiled and never made up and grammar. That is what I liked about it. I might simply act.
There are tons of gorgeous folks there which might be youthful and delightful, and they are often stunning. So I acquired to be grungy. I appreciated being so makeup-less. That was particular, and I liked the sci-fi facet. It’s a present that I did not even count on. I assumed I used to be doing one season, and I assumed I might dive in.
It was only a reward that saved on giving. And by the way in which, I liked that backdoor pilot, The 100 Season 7 Episode 8. I’m so invested in what occurred.
It was such a great way to introduce Cadogan. He’s so completely different on this season versus the prequel. It was very fascinating. And as a final query, what was your favourite planet to be on? You have been on fairly just a few in The 100: Earth, Sanctum, Sky Ring, Bardo.
Sky Ring, clearly. Sure.
Sky Ring for the household piece, Bardo for the badassery, and Earth for the nostalgia.
—————————
For The 100 followers nonetheless in search of some extra nostalgia, TV Fanatic has a particular new ongoing The 100 interview collection. “Trying Again on The 100” that facilities on monumental solid members and characters from the present that left behind a legacy.
We recently spoke with Eli Goree about his time on the present throughout The 100 Season 1 and the mark he left behind. Then we additionally spoke with Michael Beach and the journey he had when it got here to The 100.
We then had the prospect to take a walk down memory lane with the iconic Christopher Larkin, as he talked about his time taking part in Monty Inexperienced. And we acquired to hear Aaron Ginsburg’s insight on his most iconic episodes and his writing journey on The 100.
We got to speak with Zach McGowan about that particular return he made on the present. We additionally spoke with Leah Gibson about #GinaWasReal and with Nadia Hilker about creating the character of Luna.
Chai Hansen also looked back on the present with us when it got here to his time on it as Ilian. And Charmaine DeGraté expanded on her writing journey with the present, in addition to what it was like to jot down for Bellamy and Octavia Blake.
Eve Harlow spoke with us as well about Maya’s pure presence on the present and about Maya’s relationship with Jasper.
Preserve checking TV Fanatic for extra upcoming interviews with shock solid members from seasons previous.
The 100 airs on Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
Share all of your ideas with us within the feedback part! Stick round TV Fanatic for extra options, slideshows, episode previews, interviews, and evaluations of the upcoming season, and watch The 100 online if that you must atone for the journey.
Yana Grebenyuk is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Observe her on Twitter.