Honestly, it's pretty wild to look back at the early 2010s and realize how a single casting choice shifted the entire trajectory of a show. When people ask who plays clarke on the 100, the answer is Eliza Taylor. Simple, right? But the story of how she landed the role is actually a massive "what if" moment in TV history. Taylor was a well-known face in Australia long before she ever set foot on a post-apocalyptic Earth. She spent years playing Janae Timmins on the legendary soap opera Neighbours, which is basically a rite of passage for Aussie actors.
But here is the kicker: she didn't even audition for the part of Clarke Griffin.
Usually, lead roles in CW shows involve months of grueling chemistry reads and stressful studio sessions. For Eliza, it was almost an accident. She had recently moved to Los Angeles, her credit card had been stolen, and she was literally about to pack her bags and head back to Melbourne. She was broke and done with the Hollywood dream. Then, her agent sent a tape of her to the producers of The 100. They didn't need to see her in person. They saw the tape, realized they’d found their "Princess," and hired her.
Why Eliza Taylor Was the Only Choice for Clarke
Clarke Griffin is a polarizing character. Let's be real. Throughout the seven seasons of the show, she made some choices that made fans absolutely scream at their TVs. Whether it was the "lever" incident at Mount Weather or her complicated relationship with Lexa, Clarke was never a "perfect" hero. She was messy. She was a leader who carried the weight of the world, often literally.
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What Eliza Taylor brought to the table was this weirdly perfect mix of vulnerability and absolute "don't mess with me" energy. Most people don't realize that Taylor was actually playing a teenager for the first few seasons despite being in her mid-twenties. She had to ground the sci-fi craziness in real emotion. If you watch her performance in Season 6—where she basically has to play two different people sharing one body (Clarke and the villainous Josephine Lightbourne)—you can see the range that kept the show alive for 100 episodes.
The Real Story Behind the "Bellarke" Marriage
You can't talk about who plays clarke on the 100 without mentioning the man who played her co-leader, Bellamy Blake. Bob Morley and Eliza Taylor had this electric onscreen chemistry that launched a thousand fan fictions. For years, "Bellarke" shippers were convinced the two were dating in secret.
It turns out, the fans were right.
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In June 2019, the internet basically broke when Eliza and Bob announced they had gotten married in a private ceremony in Hawaii. They hadn't even confirmed they were dating! It was a total shock to the system for the fandom. They managed to keep their entire romance under wraps while filming one of the most intense shows on television. Today, they’re still together, living a much quieter life in the Australian countryside, which is a far cry from the radioactive forests of Vancouver where they met.
What Eliza Taylor Is Doing Now (2026 Update)
Since the show wrapped up in 2020, fans have been tracking Eliza’s every move. She didn't just disappear into the sunset. She’s been busy with a mix of acting, producing, and charity work. If you haven't seen her lately, here is the quick rundown of where she’s been:
- Quantum Leap: She joined the rebooted series as Hannah Carson, a character that really let her lean into a more period-accurate, cerebral role. It was a nice break from the "warrior" archetype.
- Indie Films: She starred in and executive produced the thriller I'll Be Watching and the rom-com It Only Takes a Night.
- Directing: Following in the footsteps of many long-term TV leads, she’s moved behind the camera. She and Bob Morley have been working on their own projects, including a short film called Status: Active.
- Philanthropy: This is the stuff that doesn't get enough headlines. Eliza co-founded the Koh Tao International Primary School in Thailand. She’s used her platform from The 100 to fundraise for education in developing areas, which is pretty cool.
Surprising Facts About the Actor Behind Clarke
Most people know the basics, but there are some deep-cut facts that change how you view her performance. For instance, did you know Eliza is actually quite short? On screen, she looks like this towering leader, but she’s actually around 5'5". The camera angles and her "Commander of Death" posture did a lot of heavy lifting.
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Also, her natural accent is a broad Australian drawl. If you go back and watch her early interviews from 2014, you can hear her slipping in and out of the American accent she used for Clarke. By the end of the series, she had it down so perfectly that many US viewers still don't realize she isn't American.
The Legacy of Clarke Griffin
The character of Clarke changed the way we look at female leads in YA sci-fi. She wasn't just a love interest. She wasn't just a "strong female lead" trope. She was a deeply flawed, sometimes scary, always determined survivor. Eliza Taylor managed to make us empathize with a character who, on paper, did some pretty unforgivable things.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into Eliza’s work, I’d suggest checking out her early episodes of Neighbours just for the culture shock. Seeing her as a rebellious suburban teen compared to the woman who saved (and sometimes ended) the human race is a trip.
To stay updated on what she and Bob Morley are doing next, your best bet is following her production updates. They are currently pivoting more into writing and directing their own features, often exploring "dark and twisted" comedies that are a far cry from the world of the Ark. Keep an eye on indie film festival circuits for their name; that is where the most interesting work is happening for them right now.