After being a regular character, Lincoln, The 100's Trikru warrior, was killed off in season 3 because actor Ricky Whittle refused to continue working with showrunner Jason Rothenberg. Coming shortly after the even more controversial and high-profile death of Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Lincoln's death cemented The 100 season 3 as being one of its more controversial and least-liked chapters. Here's everything you need to know about why the actor ended up quitting the series.
Lincoln had been on the show since the first season, being the first of the Grounders to make contact with the main cast. He entered a relationship with The 100's Octavia Blake (Marie Avgeropoulos) in the first season, which evolved Lincoln from a minor side character to an important part of the cast in season 2. At least, that’s what was supposed to happen until personal conflicts got in the way.
Ricky Whittle left Lincoln, The 100, and a steady gig because he found it impossible to work with showrunner Jason Rothenberg. In an interview, Whittle said that “Rothenberg abused his position to make [Whittle's] job untenable,” and that he “chose to belittle [Whittle]," neglecting both the character and the performer (via AfterBuzz TV). Whittle never goes into the specifics of his disagreements with Rothenberg, but it’s clear that there was a fundamental issue between the two of them that led to Lincoln’s The 100 storyline being trimmed down, ultimately leading to his exit from the show in season 3.
Whittle Left Due To Serious Issues With One of The 100 Writers
Despite having issues with Rothenberg, Ricky Whittle seemed to have no real problem with anyone else on the show. He even encouraged audiences to keep watching after he had left to support the rest of the cast and crew. The issue was just with Rothenberg, and the issue was evident enough that other writers on the show confirmed their awareness of Rothenberg’s bullying of Whittle and the deliberate reduction of Lincoln’s role. Whittle had even tried to leave the show during the second season but never specified exactly what happened that kept him on board through season 3.
Lincoln’s part in The 100 being cut down meant that Whittle left to play Shadow Moon in Starz’s American Gods series. After seeing how much Lincoln’s role was reduced, CW president Mark Pedowitz and Warner Television Group president Peter Roth gave Whittle permission to audition for American Gods, a role that he ultimately won. Notably, he didn’t leave because of getting the American Gods role. Instead, he got the role after deciding that he was leaving Lincoln, The 100, and everything else behind. It may not have been officially planned for Lincoln to die in The 100 season 3, but as often happens with TV shows, real life can end up writing the plot.
Why Whittle's American Gods Casting Was The Better Option Despite Its Cancelation
Whittle's time on American Gods was also cut short due to the show's cancelation by Starz in 2021, but his skillful inhabitation of the Shadow Moon role solidified why leaving The 100 was the best option for the actor. For one, Whittle was honored with a Saturn Award for his performance on the show before American Gods season 3 ending, which shows the extent to which he excelled at the part. But more importantly, Whittle was able to leave a toxic workplace and still have a fulfilling career on his own merit afterward – an inspiring example to set for his ample fanbase. Although the actor hasn't taken on any further roles since American Gods' cancelation, the project seemed to have helped him move on in a way that staying on The 100 never would have.