With a present like The 100 beginning to wrap up, a lot nostalgia is returning one final time.
It is not straightforward to go away behind a legacy, particularly in just some episodes, however Eli Goree proved it was attainable when it got here to Wells Jaha. A personality like no different, who remains to be beloved and mentioned at the moment, Wells represented a uncommon instance of peace, forgiveness, and hope at a time when it felt like a lot was dwindling on Earth.
Eli Goree was in a position to seize everybody’s consideration, with not solely a memorable presence but additionally an unforgettable one. Wells Jaha lives on in The 100 world due to Eli’s capacity to exist onscreen.
Because the present nears its seventh and ultimate season, it felt like the proper time to look again on what made The 100 so distinctive and what has stayed with followers all this time.
Checking again in with a memorable solid member like Eli means touring again to The 100 Season 1, when he initially captured so many hearts.
The house that Wells took up for himself was intense, caring, and stuffed with potential. The relationships that Wells had with these round him have been chaotic and stuffed with emotion, every thing submerged with a promise of one thing extra.
So it was actually an honor to get to take that journey again with Eli, as he shared his ideas on his time on the present, the reminiscences he nonetheless likes to today, and the best way The 100 left an affect.
Eli additionally shared how necessary the fan assist has been, each on-line and in particular person, in spite of everything this time.
What was it like being on The 100 and enjoying Wells Jaha?
It was a very cool expertise. I keep in mind the audition expertise, which was my first pilot summer time in LA and it was me doi,ng like three or 4 auditions a day. And I do not forget that one went effectively. I had simply come from Vancouver, I had loads of connections with a number of the casting individuals up there, and I came upon that the present was taking pictures in Vancouver. So instantly I used to be like, “Oh, ,that is going effectively.”
Then I noticed that they’d solid Isaiah Washington, and my character ,was presupposed to play his son, and I knew that we favored one another sufficient that it might be a great solid.
So normally you get a really feel in that entire means of when you’re the man, like issues begin to slender in and extra components begin to add up. You’ll be able to inform these different individuals begin type of getting crossed off — possibly there’s one other actor, however he does not look something like as Isaiah Washington or he cannot work in Canada. Or possibly he isn’t going to get a tax credit score and so it begins changing into obvious like, “Oh, I believe I’ll get this, ?”
It was like my first main lead on community sequence function and I keep in mind t,he pilot script was actually good. Jason Rothenberg did such a fantastic job writing it and it is nonetheless t,o today probably the greatest pilot scripts I’ve ever learn.
I believe everybody who learn it immediately knew that it was one thing so totally different and so artistic — everybody knew it was going to be a success.
I knew it was gonna be a success as quickly as I learn the pilot, as a result of I have not seen something like this. And that was type of again when the dystopian future, that entire type of Starvation Video games style, that entire factor was common. So simply the audition course of was actually cool.
Then after we bought to set they invested a lot, it was like a $10 million pilot. That they had this large spaceship that they constructed, it was all arrange on hydraulics, after which additionally with the solid it was only a actually wonderful expertise. With attending to shoot the pilot, going by the audition course of, after which after we came upon we bought picked up just about instantly.
From there I knew I wasn’t, going to be staying with the present, however they instructed me they’d plans to make it one thing memorable by way of how I left the present. It looks like that was true.
How did you strategy enjoying Wells?
I simply keep in mind excited about his backstory. I did loads of work on that script, as a result of there was fairly a couple of auditions. And I simply keep in mind I might meet with my pal Angela on daily basis, she labored in casting and he or she’s an actress as effectively, and we did loads of work on his backstory.
We simply thought of like, “Who is that this man?” He is higher class, he is primarily type of a regal, like a royalty background or like a political household. Take into account like a Kennedy or somebody like that, who has loads of excessive expectations of themselves, excessive requirements, and who expects issues to function with a sure degree of ethics.
So I believe for him being tossed into that world, it’s like this Lord of The Flies kind of thought, that not one of the social requirements are left in place. Once they all go down there, all bets are off, and he is attempting to keep up this social order.
I believe primarily when Wells dies, it symbolizes the thought of the tip of civilization. It is just like the anarchy wins type of factor.
I am unsure if this however Wells actually did go away behind a legacy and he’s nonetheless so liked by the viewers six years later. Everybody nonetheless loves the character and talks about your time on the present. How does it really feel figuring out Wells and the best way you portrayed him has resonated a lot with the followers?
That is been the most effective half, truthfully of the entire expertise, has been the reception I bought from the followers and the best way that they responded to my work. It is greater than I may have imagined.
I used to be there, and I felt like I used to be actually pleased with the work that I did. I knew how a lot time I had spent constructing the character, how effectively I felt like I match the function, and the aim of that character within the story. I simply felt like there was one thing that basically resonated for me once I was on set doing the work.
So to have that come again to me within the type of the followers, their response, and their continued connection jogs my memory of my very own expertise. I keep in mind there was a personality I watched on The Strolling Useless, he turned a lead character afterward and was an exceptional actor. He was simply within the pilot, and I keep in mind considering, he did nice work. Then, afterward, he did come again after which he turned the lead of a by-product.
However it was a kind of moments for me the place I used to be simply actually proud in regards to the work.
I believe the final word validation for an actor in terms of whether or not or not your work meant something is how the followers obtain it. In order that’s undoubtedly been the most effective a part of it. Like once I stroll in an airport, youngsters come as much as me — typically Wells is among the characters I get greater than every other and it was just for a couple of episodes. Which means rather a lot.
What was your favourite a part of The 100 or favourite reminiscence of filming?
You understand what? It was truthfully like an actual intense expertise. The entire time, everytime you’re taking pictures a pilot, you do not know if it is going to get picked up. Then as soon as it did get picked up, I knew I wasn’t going to be staying,
However I believe I might say there was a speech that I gave in entrance of a bonfire within the pilot, it was this lengthy monologue speech. After which they’d these water towers that dumped rain on us afterwards, and it was simply a kind of like epic monologue moments that like actors at all times wish to have.
For me, simply having the ability to try this and put together that and ship it, that was one in every of my greatest experiences.
Then additionally the crash scene with Eliza (Taylor) on this large ship that they constructed only for that one scene. They constructed a complete house ship to scale and it was arrange on hydraulics.
It was loopy, as a result of we’re all sitting there tied in and we have been the screaming over the sound of fuel and all these loopy issues which are happening round us. I realized rather a lot. I might by no means been on a set like that earlier than and the sci-fi atmosphere of it.
I realized rather a lot from Eliza as a result of she’s such an exceptional actress. It was cool as a result of it was simply one thing totally different, like with all of the wardrobe and pyrotechnics and all that stuff. It was cool.
The 100 is a present that works effectively as a binge-watch. Plenty of followers are watching and rewatching proper now and are choosing up on that straightforward chemistry between Wells and Bellamy (performed by Bob Morley). How did you strategy these scenes with Bob the place Bellamy and Wells had all this stress but additionally potential?
Each time I consider Bob, I simply begin to chuckle as a result of he is such a humorous and nice man.
He does such a great job, like when he at first was enjoying the villain on that present for some time. However we had a lot enjoyable off set; the scenes mirrored that, and it was enjoyable. It was cool to be on set with him, however I spent rather more time offset with him than our scenes onset.
He is a giant rock climber and indoor mountain climbing, so he taught me how one can go mountain climbing since I might by no means gone earlier than. He would inform me tales about his dad. He had this catchphrase that his dad would say once they have been simply little youngsters.
As a result of Bob was clearly into understanding, he had nice physique, and I used to be simply beginning to get into lifting weights. So I might ask him questions and he would inform me when he was like six or seven years outdated his dad would seize his arm and be like, “Take a look at you! No bulk, no definition.”
He was such a joker and such a enjoyable man. The truth that his title is Bob Morley and clearly that is a reasonably well-known namesake. He and I spent loads of time joking. I known as him even after I used to be off the present, we’d speak and simply joke. I have not spoken to him shortly, however each time I see him, it is similar to seeing a great pal or a brother, ?
Was there anybody you would like Wells had extra scenes with or any solid member you would like you bought to movie with extra?
No. Perhaps a number of the people who got here later, as soon as I used to be off the present. However no, I had nice scenes with Bob and clearly with Eliza. I did not get too many scenes with the 2 guys …
Monty and Jasper? Chris Larkin and Devon Bostick?
Properly, I already knew Devon as a result of we’re each from Canada and we have been buddies earlier than. So I knew what a fantastic actor he was and I am a giant fan of his work.
No, it was the 2 dangerous guys. He’ll kick my butt when he finds out I forgot his title.
Richard Harmon?
Sure! There we go! Harmon! I do know Harmon, we hang around on a regular basis. I simply could not keep in mind his title for some motive. Anyway, I had nice scenes with him.
I used to be not shocked when he ended up changing into a daily from that character. As a result of simply the second he stepped on, he was doing wonderful work and simply had one thing about him that stood out. I believe he had a very nice couple of years there as a result of he was on fairly a couple of nice exhibits and he had necessary roles on all of them.
I’ve no regrets. Clearly, Isaiah and I had nice scenes. All of the people who I wished to work with, we started working collectively, and we had nice scenes.
Throughout Season 1 and past a very necessary relationship exists between Wells and Clarke. And one in every of Wells’ final scenes with Clarke is the place she asks him to forgive her. It has been some time, however do you keep in mind what it was like filming such an emotionally heavy scene?
Like I stated, for the followers and for the actors, totally different scenes imply various things. That scene was an necessary scene to hit the notes for in that episode, and Eliza did an incredible job. I believe our emotional connection as characters was actually deep, however once I consider Eliza, I at all times assume — it was such a easy scene, however for me, it was a lot greater simply because every thing that was round it, and that is the crash touchdown.
Then additionally the stuff on the ship, just like the flashbacks and after we performed chess. Like these all these scenes, for me, stand out extra.
However that emotional scene, I do keep in mind it. I keep in mind, she simply did actually nice work. She was so effectively ready for that. I imply, simply recent from Australia and he or she’s carrying the present. She was rather well ready and took it very critically. We’d typically meet, all of us stayed on the Sutton Lodge, and we’d typically meet on the resort after we shoot and run scenes and go over stuff for the following day. There was not loads of sleep whereas taking pictures that pilot, for positive.
What’s one thing that you simply want Wells had gotten the prospect to do on Earth?
After I first left the present, it was like, you hate to go away a present that goes to achieve success, and you are like, “Man, I might like to be part of that journey.”
However on reflection, once I have a look at the issues that I’ve accomplished since and have a look at the present, I believe my time for that present was meant to be the place it was. It left an affect as a result of it is like when one thing ends at simply the best time, it does not go previous what it is presupposed to, it resonates extra, and it has extra of an enduring affect.
Typically you see that with exhibits, the place like individuals will typically say the British model of The Workplace is healthier than the American model of The Workplace.
Properly, that is as a result of actually it is that the American model of The Workplace went for like 12 seasons, and the British model was simply lengthy sufficient to the place you are like, “Oh, I like that.”
Or Chappelle’s Present, it is simply lengthy sufficient to be like sure. Like Key and Peele does not essentially have the identical affect as a result of it goes off for a lot longer. In order a lot as I like Key and Peele and the American model of The Workplace, when one thing ends on the proper time, it has a distinct type of really feel to it.
That was the case with me and The 100. I believe, on reflection, I can say it ended on the proper time.
That is truly actually true.
Earlier than I transfer on, I simply wish to say one other instance.
That is type of humorous since everybody’s on this quarantine, I have been watching all these outdated motion pictures, and I watched the unique, the 1968 model of Planet of The Apes. It is the one with Charlton Heston, and so the sci-fi and every thing is completely outdated. Prefer it was laughable. However the story was actually good! I used to be like, “Yeah, this can be a nice story!” Then I noticed that there was a sequel, so I watched the sequel, and it was simply horrible. Like simply rubbish, ?
So it is one other instance, however typically it is like The Matrix or so many different exhibits – simply go away it while you hit that be aware.
What did you be taught from Wells Jaha and out of your time on the present?
I realized rather a lot in regards to the enterprise aspect of appearing. I realized about contracts, about understanding enterprise, and understanding how issues function.
I realized about simply actually being convicted. I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and one of many fundamental issues for me is I do not work on Sabbath. I used to be nonetheless determining loads of issues as an expert, at that cut-off date, in my profession. I realized rather a lot from that have about simply how one can function, how one can be an expert, how one can ensure you are taking good care of the issues you might want to care for off of the set.
I believe that these are the most effective classes that I realized and are issues that I undoubtedly nonetheless carry at the moment.
Sadly Wells did not survive too lengthy on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Do you assume you, personally, would have survived longer?
I do not know. Perhaps we’ll get the prospect to search out out?
Perhaps! This query is simply too well timed.
I am type of ready. Like I do some issues the place I am going to be certain I’ve further meals, and I wasn’t a kind of individuals working for bathroom paper. I had tons of bathroom paper when issues went dangerous. I undoubtedly might be extra wilderness savvy.
But when I discovered a band of people who have been like-minded, I believe we may make it. I do not know if I am going to have the ability to go at it alone.
It was talked about that final season you nearly made an look throughout The 100 Season 6 Episode 7, which might have been 5 years later. I do know it sadly did not find yourself taking place, however how did you’re feeling nearly coming again to a present after a lot time?
It will have been unusual, It is such a distinct place now, and I get the sensation it most likely would’ve been a kind of cameo issues, like greater than something massive. So I do not know.
For me, I bought to run into these guys once I was taking pictures a present known as Useless of Summer time. We have been at San Diego Comedian-Con and had an interview with the entire solid, proper after The 100 was ending their interviews. I bought to run into everyone, hug everybody, and we bought to do the type of reunion that we by no means actually bought to do as a result of everybody was doing their very own factor.
So for me, although the followers did not get to see it, that was my second the place I bought to only say thanks to everybody I started working with and present everybody that I am blissful that they are doing effectively and so they’re blissful that I used to be doing effectively. That was type of our second.
I believe for the followers it might’ve been good. That is the one factor I want for the followers if we may’ve accomplished it, it might’ve been cool.
Jason did tweet a photograph, so we bought a glimpse of a few of it.
Precisely! That was actually cool, after which I bumped into Jason once I was up taking pictures Riverdale.
I bumped into Jason and his household, they instructed me that they are pleased with how my profession goes and I instructed them how proud I’m of how the present goes.
After we see one another, it is all good now.
You might be acquainted with conventions for The 100 and have been slated to attend a couple of, however there have been some bumps within the street alongside the best way. Hopefully, it is possible for you to to go to your first The 100 conference quickly. So what are you wanting ahead to along with your first time at a conference and assembly the followers?
Wow I imply, you do your analysis. I did not even do the conference, and !
I do know! Belief me, I do know. Folks have been actually excited, and I heard all about it.
Yeah. That is cool!
Once more, it is a kind of cliche issues, and actors at all times say it. I believe while you watch it on TV, and also you hear actors speak in regards to the followers, you are like, “Oh, positive. They’re all in regards to the followers.”
However while you truly are part of one thing that strikes a twine with a bunch of individuals, and so they join with you, and so they let what it meant to them, it truly is all in regards to the followers.
I get rather a lot out of it. I get rather a lot out of assembly individuals; I get rather a lot out of particularly assembly youngsters. However simply assembly people who say that they preferred what I did and in a roundabout way, it impressed them, in a roundabout way it helped them to consider issues otherwise, or it motivated them.
That is what I get that offers me the constructive reinforcement to let me know that I am doing one thing worthwhile. For me, I am at all times simply excited to fulfill the individuals. That is it.
Since The 100, you’ve got labored on a couple of different initiatives like Riverdale, Pearson, and my private favourite, Useless of Summer time. What’s it like for you attending to discover all these totally different worlds as an actor?
That is been the blessing of my profession.
The plus and the minus of it’s that not all my characters make it. I believe there is a meme on the market someplace of me the place they’re like, “If my character does not die within the script, I am not taking the job or one thing like that.”
However the beauty of not essentially going with exhibits for the entire run or having exhibits that do not do 10 season-long runs, it’s that I’ve gotten to play loads of actually distinctive, very attention-grabbing, and highly effective characters.
I bought to play Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) over the previous few months for a movie that is going to be popping out. I bought to Wells, and I get to play Mad Canine. All of those characters that if individuals keep in mind, which are acknowledged, and that had some that means, had some depth, and that permits me to be an artist.
They allowed me to specific one thing and to say one thing by this story. It has been the blessing of my profession that I’ve gotten to play some actually nice characters and loads of them.
What are you able to share about a few of your upcoming initiatives?
Properly, Mad Canine remains to be on the market within the Riverdale universe someplace, so we’ll see the place that goes.
So far as different issues, I simply was taking pictures in New Orleans on a challenge known as One Evening In Miami. I am very enthusiastic about it.
Leslie Odom Jr., Aldis Hodge, Kingsley Ben-Adir are in it, and it’s directed by Regina King. She simply gained the Oscar two years in the past for Greatest Actress. She did an exceptional job in that film. Additionally shout out to Stephan James, as a result of he did a fantastic job as effectively in If Beale Road May Discuss.
So yeah, there was a fantastic script for this, and it is a true story that was become a play that’s now being become a movie in regards to the friendship and relationship between Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, and Malcolm X. Principally, how sure issues round race and historical past that have been taking place proper when Cassius Clay determined to vary his title to Muhammad Ali.
It is a actually highly effective story, and I am actually pleased with my character. I liked the script, so I can not wait to see how that appears and when that comes out.
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The 100 returns on Wednesday, Could 20 at 8/7c on The CW.
Yana Grebenyuk is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Comply with her on Twitter.