The 100 got here with just a few surprises when it determined to introduce a universe of recent planets, and Levitt was undoubtedly one among them.
Levitt was a personality that got here out nowhere, however alongside the way in which, he had good timing and the compassion that Bardo was desperately missing. He was there for Octavia when she wanted an individual in her nook, and identical to that, he grew to become the skin man on name.
From the second he watched Octavia’s reminiscences and realized that there was one other solution to stay, Levitt was looking for the middle-ground between his life’s mission and experiences he by no means had earlier than.
Jason Diaz took on the problem of exploring Levitt, constructing a personality from mannerisms and unstated motivations.
To have a storyline set in a spot like Bardo, there must be a promise of one thing higher. Levitt took that title on in stride, providing kindness to each new character that crossed his path.
And even when he needed to take a beating from Echo and a shot from his personal individuals alongside the way in which, all of it nonetheless bought him to his unique purpose. Transcendence.
That’s most likely why it was so stunning to see Levitt make the selection to return again on the finish of The 100 Season 7 Episode 16, however it defines the character but once more.
Levitt arrived, providing hope to our favourite characters, and he left with the promise of a peaceable, blissful ending. For a present that finds itself drawn to darkness and dying, happening this brief and candy expertise with Levitt was definitely worth the wait.
Taking a while out to reply our questions, Jason Diaz shares his ideas on Levitt’s world-changing when he met Octavia, what it meant to be on the ultimate season of The 100, and what he realized from his time on the present.
Jason additionally touched on the probabilities of exploring Levitt and Bellamy’s connection(s) via Bardo.
What was it like being on a present like The 100?
It was an awesome honor for me to be part of this present, particularly coming in for his or her ultimate season. Being trusted with being part of wrapping all the pieces up was particular. They’d constructed such an awesome world via six seasons, and getting the chance to return in on the finish was a real pleasure.
What was essentially the most difficult a part of enjoying Levitt or being on the Bardo set?
I believe essentially the most difficult half about enjoying Levitt was his quite a lot of his feelings and his reactions wanted to be very small and really refined as a result of the character may by no means present the feelings he was feeling to his superiors.
I believe looking for a steadiness between being refined and never doing something in any respect was the most important problem.
At first, Levitt felt like a personality that was nearly too good to be true. From day one, he was there for Octavia and popped up every time she wanted him. Some followers puzzled at first if he was working each side or he was tricking her. Do you know beforehand that Levitt was an excellent man the entire time? Or had been you additionally questioning his intentions as nicely?
I did not even have affirmation on whether or not or not Levitt can be good all through the entire season. I suspected that he would. I believe he was there to assist in a small solution to facilitate Octavia’s storyline, and I assumed he can be an excellent man for Octavia the entire time.
However I did see that. It is shell shock to individuals who had been like, “I’ve watched this present for too lengthy, no means a personality is nice all the way in which to the top.”
Although everybody in Bardo was there for all mankind, Levitt did begin to present emotion for Octavia fairly early. He was keen not simply to do issues for all mankind, however he was keen to do issues for particular individuals. He had extra compassion.
Do you will have any ideas about why you assume Levitt was so totally different from everybody in Bardo in direction of the primary characters?
I believe for Levitt, seeing Octavia’s reminiscence was the primary time that Levitt noticed one other solution to stay.
It was the primary time he noticed individuals care about one another. It was the primary time he noticed individuals love one another in that means and be keen to make sacrifices for the individuals they liked.
As a result of being introduced up on Bardo, there was none of that, proper? Being introduced up on Bardo, there’s solely the only real purpose to transcend. No person actually issues as a result of the one factor that issues is everybody.
I believe it is simply seeing Octavia’s life and seeing how thrilling it’s to have selection, to have love and to lose and to do all these items. I believe that affected him in a means the place he sort of envied not having that.
Most of Levitt that we noticed was via his scenes with Octavia. How was it exploring his relationship with Octavia and dealing with Marie Avgeropoulos so closely within the ultimate season?
Working with Marie was superior. Marie is such a gifted actress and, she’s quite a lot of enjoyable in between takes. She’s a really, very good individual. So getting together with Marie may be very, very straightforward.
By way of Levitt and Octavia, I believe it was a hilarious relationship as a result of it was nearly a task reversal with Lincoln and Octavia.
At first, Lincoln was the one sort of displaying Octavia methods to be and molding her. After which, ultimately, Octavia is the Lincoln-type character in that relationship the place she’s sort of guiding and serving to Levitt develop.
I believe that was a extremely fascinating take as nicely. And having Levitt attempting to desperately show that he could make his personal selections and stuff was quite a lot of enjoyable as nicely.
There have been so many places this season, however time was additionally very totally different, the place at some factors within the season we might not go to a location for some time. How did you method getting again into Levitt as an actor, although a lot time has handed between filming the episodes, however for him, it was perhaps a day that had handed?
There was quite a lot of leaping forwards and backwards. Not leaping forwards and backwards in time, however lots would occur, after which little or no occurred someplace else.
The problem was ensuring you had been being attentive to your particular timeline. I needed to hold reminding myself of that, the place it has been three episodes, however for Levitt it has been 5 minutes or one evening. So, it was ensuring that I wrote it down. Like that is instantly after this.
Levitt had a really pivotal second within the finale. It was fairly stunning and humorous, however it was additionally crucial when he went out into the center of the battleground, and he was like, “Guys, let’s simply attempt to have some peace.” He clearly bought shot for that. It did not actually finish nicely for him.
What was like doing that complete Bardo sequence? It was very excessive impression, from the speech to the taking pictures to the transcending.
Initially, what we’ve realized is do not run onto a battlefield and throw your gun away. Okay? That is the very first thing we realized. Since you get shot.
However, that total sequence for me was actually enjoyable as a result of Levitt by no means stopped believing in transcendence. He stopped believing in Cadogan, or Invoice, yeah, however he by no means stopped believing in transcendence.
Levitt simply realized via his expertise with Octavia and with our heroes that there is one other solution to do it. Like we won’t torture youngsters, we won’t begin wars after which anticipate to be accepted by a better energy, or no matter it’s judging us.
So, to return out and be the person who is like, “Hey, each side, there is a totally different solution to obtain transcendence,” was cool. I really feel prefer it was a enjoyable pay-off to Levitt’s character arc all through the season.
Then, to get shot and nearly die was additionally actually enjoyable as an actor to play. I bear in mind on the precise day, it was me and Tasya, who performs Echo.
We had been each dying on the ground, and it was soaking moist as a result of it had simply rained in Vancouver. We had been on the ground for hours, simply freezing. So, that’s one among my favourite reminiscences of the season.
For many of the season Levitt did not get to spend time with quite a lot of the opposite characters. If he had hung out with another person, it could have been nice to see him with Bellamy. They ended up kind of on the identical monitor of their perception of transcendence. They had been each not likely feeling Invoice, and if Bellamy hadn’t died, it could have been fascinating to see Octavia’s boyfriend and her brother come collectively as a result of they do have rather a lot in frequent.
How do you assume that will have seemed? Do you consider Levitt and Bellamy would have perhaps been capable of have an fascinating bond?
I believe it is extremely fascinating as a result of, ultimately, they did have a lot in frequent the place they each believed in transcendence. Bellamy’s complete wrestle was that he believed in transcendence, however he was having a tough time believing within the particular means that Cadogan was going about it.
That was the identical factor with Levitt ultimately.
I believe it could have been actually enjoyable for me as a result of Bellamy was one among my favourite characters coming into the present. It will’ve been actually enjoyable to see Levitt and Bellamy workforce as much as attempt to cease that final struggle. After which maybe getting Octavia’s brother’s approval on Octavia’s relationship would have been enjoyable too.
It will have been actually nice!
You talked about that Levitt spent his complete life getting ready to hopefully sooner or later transcend. He nonetheless believed in that till the very finish, however within the final scene, he determined to not transcend in order that he may spend the remainder of his days with Clarke, but in addition clearly with Octavia.
What do you consider that since his complete perception system was primarily based on transcendence, however he did nonetheless give that up?
I liked the truth that Levitt selected to return again on the finish. I do not know if it was all the time the plan.
After we bought the ultimate script and Levitt got here again, I used to be enthusiastic about that as a result of, ultimately, after being raised to do one factor and one factor solely, he finally ends up getting that likelihood, and he turns it away. He turns it down in order that he can stay a life.
It’s with Octavia, in fact, however it’s additionally the primary time he will get to stay a life the place he could make his personal selections and love and really feel damage and really feel all these items. For the primary time, he would not should stay by a code. He can simply be free.
I believe that can also be sort of the storyline for everybody that selected to return again. For the primary time, they selected a lifetime of peace. I believe it was an effective way to wrap all of it up.
You talked about that Bellamy was your favourite character earlier than you bought on the present. Followers actually favored Levitt as a result of he appeared like a fanboy as he watched Octavia’s reminiscences and was like, “Wow. I actually liked season three of that.” In order that was additionally you? Did you watch the present earlier than you got here on on it?
I did. I began watching The 100 stay throughout season two, after which I had to return and watch season one, however I have been watching since season two.
To have the ability to be a part of the solid in any case this time watching them after which be part of the ultimate season was actually enjoyable. And hilarious that I performed a personality that was a fan of The 100. It’s simply humorous how that labored out.
What was your favourite reminiscence of The 100?
I’ve stated this one earlier than, however one among my favourite reminiscences is episode 9, “The Flock.” We had that delivery chamber scene.
It was me, Marie [Avgeropouolos], Tasya [Teles], Shelby [Flanery], Ivana [Miličević], and Neil McDonough was nonetheless there. None of us may hold a straight face wanting on the terrifying child that they had in that water. We had been like, “What is going on?”
There have been actually ten takes in a row the place we simply all burst out laughing. I used to be fairly positive we had been going to get fired that day, however we didn’t, so thank goodness. So, that’s one.
My second favourite reminiscence on the present is filming that complete final struggle scene and being there with the whole solid. Not a lot even within the filming; it was simply feeling how excited everyone was to be there for the previous few days was a reminiscence that I am going to all the time have for positive. It was quite a lot of enjoyable.
Was there an added weight being within the final episode within the final season of The 100? What was that like happening not solely an journey with The 100 however their ultimate journey, making it to the top?
There’s undoubtedly strain as a result of you will have such a passionate fan base with The 100, and also you wish to do your finest to be sure that they love the ultimate season, whether or not they like your character or do not like your character.
You wish to be sure that the efficiency is nice. As a result of some characters aren’t presupposed to be favored, some characters are villains. However you wish to just be sure you give your finest on this ultimate season as a result of it’s the final season that the followers are gonna get.
Additionally, there’s the bittersweet feeling of being a fan of the present, lastly reserving the present, after which it is the final season, and it is like, “Ah! Are you positive we won’t get an eight?”
Perhaps Levitt may seem on the prequel if it will get picked up.
Perhaps I hope so. I believe we should always begin that trending. Sure.
As a fan of the present, what was it like? Have been you pleased with how the season ended? Not as somebody who was a part of it, however as somebody who watched the present and liked sure characters and people sorts of issues.
I liked the truth that everybody selected to return again. I believe by way of story, it is lovely that everyone confirmed up for Clarke ultimately — Clarke, who all through the whole collection, has been sacrificing all the pieces for the individuals she loves.
Then, ultimately, when everyone is given the choice of everlasting life, peace, no ache, and no matter, they are saying, “No, thanks. We’re good. We will be with Clarke as a result of she’s earned that.” I believe it was a fantastic solution to wrap it up.
After which additionally the way in which that they paid off the truth that we did do higher, with the entire thing that Monty began again in season 5. “We have to do higher. Not all the pieces is thru violence.” I assumed all of it wrapped up properly.
What did you study out of your time on the present?
As an actor, I realized a lot. Watching Marie, watching Tasya, watching Bob the few days that I started working with Bob, I realized a lot about being in that place and the way they handled everyone on set with a lot kindness. They had been all the time ready. There’s quite a lot of professionalism that comes with it.
And that is the sort of stuff that I realized, and that was strengthened on the present. I additionally realized that I couldn’t converse the grounder language to save lots of my life. As a result of I attempted. I seemed on the script, and I used to be like, “Nope, that will by no means occur.”
I don’t know the way they do it. I would not be capable to. Was there anybody you want shared extra scenes with or somebody you want Levitt had spent extra time with? Or somebody that you simply, as an actor, wished to work together with extra?
For positive. It is a two-character reply. Bellamy would have been one and Murphy.
I believe the 2 personalities would have been hilarious. Levitt, who was buttoned up and by the e-book, after which Murphy, who’s such a free spirit, I believe would have been hilarious.
The opposite one would have been Bellamy, which Levitt was technically within the room with, however by no means truly interacted with.
When had been they in the identical area?
Episode 5, when Bellamy will get blown via the wormhole, they’re in the identical room. Additionally, Levitt was technically within the room when Bellamy returns and meets Clarke, Octavia, and the gang. There was a little bit part that was minimize.
It was actually released in a script. You got here in to inform Octavia about Bellamy and there was that second with Echo the place you step again. That will have been fascinating although.
So, that little part was minimize, however Levitt was within the room for that total scene. So technically I used to be with Bellamy.
And technically he’s the primary one to seek out out that he was alive with that investigative work throughout The 100 Season 7 Episode 11.
I hoped that Levitt would go get Bellamy. I used to be like, “Oh, perhaps that is the episode the place Levitt and Bellamy get to work together.” However no, it did not occur.
I want it could have occurred. It felt very very like in direction of the top that Levitt’s scenes may’ve been Bellamy scenes. So, it felt like they very a lot may have been engaged on it collectively.
I really feel like their paths had been headed in direction of the identical place. They had been headed in direction of the identical realization. Bellamy was coming from love first after which believing in transcendence. For Levitt, it was coming from transcendence after which believing in love. However they had been assembly on the identical level the place it was a little bit of each.
Going again to Levitt and Octavia. What do you assume Levitt realized from his time with Octavia?
Usually, I believe Octavia confirmed him methods to love and never simply romantically, however methods to love typically.
It’s okay to like and care in regards to the individuals round you. To really feel disappointment when any individual dies and to really feel magnificence when any individual does one thing like that.
She taught him methods to be human is what I finally assume it’s. He and everybody else on Bardo had been very robotic of their beliefs. I believe finally, Octavia taught Levitt what it meant to be human.
No strain, Octavia.
You talked about the Lincoln parallel, which I did not even choose up on, however Levitt gave Octavia that Lincoln make-up within the finale, which can also be a great way to deliver it again full circle.
So that is my final query, and it’s extra of a enjoyable one. Each you and Eliza Taylor have shared some pictures of you guys sporting totally different wigs. What was your favourite wig to attempt on throughout season seven?
You already know what? I do not know why I did not get an image, however I attempted on Indra’s wig. Adina’s head is way smaller than my head. So the way in which the wig match was hilarious. For some purpose, we did not get an image of that one.
And I’m devastated as a result of Eliza put out a latest picture of us, and now I’ve no return ammunition. I am out of images.
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For any The 100 followers searching for some nostalgia because the collection concludes, TV Fanatic has a shock interview collection for you! “Wanting Again On The 100” facilities on monumental solid members and characters from the present that left their mark.
We spoke with Eli Goree about his time on the present, as well as Michael Beach in regards to the journey he had, and we even took a stroll down reminiscence lane with Christopher Larkin and Aaron Ginsburg. We even checked in with Zach McGowan about that surprise return to the show.
We additionally spoke with Leah Gibson about #GinaWasReal and 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 write 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. Ivana Milicevic reflected on the message that Diyoza left behind after her exit.
Lee Majdoub also shared about Nelson’s connections and his ultimate moments on the present.
Preserve checking TV Fanatic for extra upcoming interviews with shock solid members from seasons previous.
Share all of your ideas with us within the feedback part! Stick round TV Fanatic for extra ultimate options, slideshows, and interviews of the final season, and watch The 100 online if it’s essential to compensate for the journey.
Yana Grebenyuk is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Observe her on Twitter.