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If you’ve spent any time watching the gritty, somewhat polarizing, and visually moody DC universe on the small screen, you know that casting a character like Raven is a nightmare for any producer. How do you find a teenager who can carry the weight of a world-ending prophecy, look natural with gray skin, and manage to not get overshadowed by Brenton Thwaites’ very intense Nightwing? Honestly, it’s a lot to ask. But when the show premiered back in 2018, we finally got our answer to who plays Raven in Titans.
That person is Teagan Croft.
She was only thirteen when she landed the role. Think about that for a second. While most of us were struggling with middle school algebra, Croft was moving from Australia to North America to embody one of the most beloved members of the Teen Titans. It wasn't just a casting choice; it was a gamble on a young actress who had to bring a very specific kind of vulnerability to a show that was trying its hardest to be "edgy" and "mature."
The Breakthrough of Teagan Croft
Before she was Rachel Roth, Teagan Croft was relatively unknown to American audiences. She had a stint on the long-running Australian soap Home and Away, which is basically a rite of passage for every successful Aussie actor (just look at Chris Hemsworth or Margot Robbie). But Titans was different. It was high-pressure. It was a flagship show for the then-new DC Universe streaming service.
Croft’s portrayal of Rachel Roth—the girl who would eventually become Raven—didn't start with the iconic purple cape and the stoic "Azarath Metrion Zinthos" incantations. Instead, we met a terrified kid. In the early seasons, Croft had to play a version of the character that was frankly a bit of a mess. She was a girl whose powers manifested as a literal shadow demon that crawled out of her mouth. It was creepy. It was weird. And Croft sold it by leaning into the raw, unpolished fear of a child who realizes her father is essentially the devil.
What’s interesting is how Croft’s real-life growth mirrored the character. Over the four seasons of Titans, we saw her literally grow up on screen. By the time the series wrapped in 2023, the shy girl from the first season had transformed into a confident, white-cloaked powerhouse.
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Why the Casting Faced Initial Backlash
Let’s be real. The internet can be a toxic place, especially when it comes to comic book casting. When it was first announced who plays Raven in Titans, some fans were skeptical. Why? Because Raven in the 2003 animated series—voiced by the legendary Tara Strong—became the "definitive" version for a whole generation. People expected a dry, monotone, sarcastic goth.
Croft’s Raven was different. She was emotional. She cried. She screamed.
Some fans felt she was "too young" or "too soft." But that was the point of the Titans narrative. The showrunners, including Greg Walker and Geoff Johns, weren't trying to remake the cartoon. They were trying to show the origin of a trauma survivor. Croft had to navigate that thin line between being a victim of her lineage and becoming a hero in her own right. If you look at the series as a whole, her performance becomes much more impressive. She wasn't playing the finished product; she was playing the construction site.
The Transformation: From Rachel to Raven
If you watched the final season, you saw the payoff. The costume change to the "White Raven" look was a massive moment for the fandom. It signaled that Teagan Croft’s version of the character had finally arrived at her destiny. The visual effects team finally gave her the soul-self bird imagery that people had been craving since the pilot episode.
In many ways, Croft’s performance is the emotional anchor of the team. While Dick Grayson is brooding about Batman and Starfire is dealing with royal drama from Tamaran, Rachel is the one reminding everyone that they are, at their core, a found family. Croft’s chemistry with Ryan Potter (who plays Beast Boy) became the heart of the show for many viewers. Their friendship felt earned because they both played the "younger siblings" of the group with such sincerity.
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What Teagan Croft is Doing Now
Once Titans took its final bow, the question shifted from who plays Raven in Titans to "where is Teagan Croft going next?" She didn't wait long to jump back into the spotlight.
If you haven't seen True Spirit on Netflix, you’re missing out. Croft plays Jessica Watson, the real-life Australian sailor who sought to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world. It’s a complete 180 from the dark, demon-filled streets of Gotham and Blüdhaven. There are no capes, just a lot of salt water and a very small boat.
Seeing her in True Spirit really highlights her range. In Titans, she was often confined by the "gloom" of the genre. As Jessica Watson, she gets to be bright, determined, and physically exhausted in a way that feels incredibly human. It proves she isn't just a "genre actress" who can only work in front of a green screen.
Fun Facts About the Raven Casting
- Age Matters: Teagan was actually the first person cast for the series. The producers knew they needed to find their Rachel Roth before they could build the rest of the team around her.
- The Australian Connection: Despite playing an American teen, Croft is 100% Australian. Her accent in the show is so seamless that many fans are shocked when they hear her speak in interviews.
- Family Ties: Creativity runs in her blood. Her aunts are Penny and Jessica McNamee, both successful actresses in their own right.
Why We Won't See Her as Raven Again (Probably)
With James Gunn and Peter Safran taking over DC Studios and resetting the cinematic universe (the DCU), the world of Titans is officially part of the "Elseworlds" category. This basically means it's a closed chapter. While fans love to campaign for their favorite actors to return—look at the whole "Save Daredevil" movement—the likelihood of Croft returning as Raven is slim.
Gunn is looking for a fresh start. Does that take away from what Croft accomplished? Not at all. She defined the character for a specific era of television. She took a character who could have easily been a one-dimensional "brooding teen" and gave her a soul.
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Honestly, the legacy of Titans is complicated. The writing was hit-or-miss, the lighting was often too dark to see what was happening, and the pacing was... let's call it "experimental." But the casting? The casting was almost always spot-on. Croft, along with Anna Diop (Starfire) and Alan Ritchson (Hawk), brought a level of gravitas to the roles that kept people tuning in despite the show's flaws.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're a fan of Teagan Croft or just interested in how she landed such a massive role, there are a few things you can actually take away from her journey:
- Watch the Evolution: If you're a student of acting, go back and watch Season 1, Episode 1, and then jump to the Season 4 finale. Observe how Croft changes her vocal posture and physical presence as the character gains confidence. It’s a masterclass in long-term character development.
- Support Her Current Work: Check out True Spirit. It’s a great example of how an actor can pivot from a massive franchise into a character-driven biopic without losing their momentum.
- Check Out the Comics: If Croft’s performance made you love Raven, go read The New Teen Titans by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. It’s the source material that inspired her portrayal, specifically the "Terror of Trigon" arc.
- Keep an Eye on the DCU: While Croft is done for now, a new Raven will eventually be cast for the big screen. Comparing the different interpretations is part of the fun of being a comic book fan.
Teagan Croft didn't just play a role. She lived through the awkward, painful, and eventually empowering transition from a girl with a dark secret to a woman with a purpose. Whether you loved the show or hated it, there’s no denying that she was the heart of the team.
Next Steps:
If you want to keep up with Teagan’s career, follow her on social media where she frequently shares behind-the-scenes looks at her new projects. You can also rewatch all four seasons of Titans on Max to see her full transformation from Rachel Roth to the legendary Raven. For those interested in the craft, look for her interviews regarding her "accent work"—it's a fascinating look at how international actors prepare for US-based roles.