If you spent any part of the last decade watching The CW, you know Lindsey Morgan. She’s that rare kind of performer who can make you believe she’s rebuilding a nuclear reactor with a hairpins while simultaneously breaking your heart. Most people recognize her as the brilliant, battered Raven Reyes, but her resume is a lot more chaotic and interesting than just one sci-fi hit.
From the soap opera grind of General Hospital to leading a space-war movie franchise, Lindsey Morgan movies and tv shows reflect a career built on "doing it the hard way." She doesn't just play characters; she puts them through the wringer.
The Breakthrough: From Port Charles to Post-Apocalypse
Honestly, before she was a sci-fi icon, Lindsey was a soap star. In 2012, she landed the role of Kristina Davis on General Hospital.
Soap operas are a brutal training ground. You’re memorizing thirty pages of dialogue a day. You get one take. If you mess up, too bad. Lindsey thrived there, even snagging a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Younger Actress in 2013. But she didn't stay long. She wanted something grittier.
Then came The 100.
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Raven Reyes was originally supposed to die in the first season. Seriously. But Lindsey played her with such visceral, desperate intelligence that the writers realized they couldn't lose her. Raven became the moral compass and the mechanical genius of the show. Over seven seasons, Lindsey took that character through paralysis, torture, and brain damage. It was a masterclass in resilience.
She even stepped behind the camera for the episode "The Queen’s Gambit," proving she had the chops to direct high-stakes television, not just act in it.
Beyond the Ark: Lindsey's Movie Run
While the world was obsessed with whether Raven would survive another season, Lindsey was quietly building a film career. It’s a weird mix of indie horror and big-budget sci-fi.
- Detention (2011): Her first real gig. She played Alexis Spencer, a mean cheerleader in a film that is basically a fever dream. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a cult classic for a reason.
- Beyond Skyline (2017) & Skylines (2020): This is where she really stepped into the lead role territory. She plays Captain Rose Corley, a super-powered human hybrid fighting aliens. It’s pure popcorn fun, but Lindsey treats the physical demands of the role with serious intensity.
- Lasso (2018): Imagine a horror movie set at a rodeo. It’s as insane as it sounds. Lindsey plays Kit, a senior center employee who has to survive a group of psychopathic cowboys.
- Summer Days, Summer Nights (2018): A total pivot. Edward Burns directed this ensemble piece, and Lindsey plays Debbie Espinoza. It’s a grounded, nostalgic look at a 1982 summer in Long Island. No aliens. No nukes. Just vibes.
The Walker Era and the Big Pivot
In 2021, Lindsey joined Walker, the reboot of the classic Chuck Norris series, starring alongside Jared Padalecki. She played Micki Ramirez, one of the first female Texas Rangers.
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Micki was a huge deal. The chemistry between her and Padalecki’s Cordell Walker felt like a genuine partnership. But then, midway through the second season, Lindsey made a move that shocked fans: she left.
It wasn't for "creative differences" or drama. She was honest about it. She needed to prioritize her mental health and personal well-being. In an industry that usually demands you "grind until you break," her choice to walk away from a hit show to take care of herself was incredibly brave. It changed the conversation for a lot of fans about what success actually looks like.
Recent Gigs and What’s Next in 2026
Since leaving Walker, Lindsey hasn't been idle, though she’s been more selective. She popped up in the 2023 comedy Scrambled and recently took a guest turn as Karla Lopez on S.W.A.T. (2025).
As we move through 2026, the buzz is all about her return to prestige TV. She is part of the ensemble for the highly anticipated Apple TV+ series Margo's Got Money Troubles, created by David E. Kelley. The show, which features heavy hitters like Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman, is set to premiere at SXSW in March 2026. This feels like a new chapter—moving away from the "action girl" archetype and into high-end, character-driven drama.
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The Lindsey Morgan Watchlist: Where to Start
If you're looking to dive into the best of Lindsey Morgan movies and tv shows, don't just watch the trailers. Start here:
- For the "I want to cry" mood: Watch the Season 4 finale of The 100. Lindsey’s performance as Raven accepts her "death" is haunting.
- For the "I want a weird Friday night" mood: Rent Detention. It makes no sense and it’s brilliant.
- For the "I want a solid procedural" mood: Check out the first season of Walker. Micki’s backstory with her mother is some of the best writing in the series.
The reality is that Lindsey Morgan is one of those actors who makes everything she's in better. She brings a specific kind of "Texas grit" to her roles that feels authentic because it is. Whether she's playing a mechanic in space or a Ranger in Austin, she’s always the smartest person in the room.
If you're following her career now, keep an eye on her directing credits. After her success on The 100, it’s only a matter of time before she’s helming her own features. Her trajectory suggests she’s no longer interested in just being the face on the poster—she wants to be the one calling the shots.