You never know how a newly introduced character will be received on an ongoing TV show, but suffice to say, many fans of The 100 have responded very positively to Lexa, played by Australian actress Alycia Debnam-Carey. The young, intense Commander of the Grounders has become a central part of Season 2’s storyline, as she and Clarke (Eliza Taylor) have lead their two previously warring people together, as a showdown with their mutual enemies inside Mount Weather approached.

Alycia Debnam-Carey as Lexa in The 100.

Clarke (Eliza Taylor) and Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) in The 100.

Many had also noticed that Lexa was seemingly growing attracted to Clarke as the season progressed -- and the feeling could be mutual -- which was given onscreen confirmation last week when the two shared a passionate kiss. With that potential romance put on hold by Clarke for the time being, the duo and those that follow them are headed into combat, as the final two episodes of Season 2 air this week and next.I spoke to Debnam-Carey about joining The 100 this season, the popularity of her character and the Clarke/Lexa (or “Clexa”) pairing and more – including those fan concerns that Lexa may be in danger, given Debnam-Carey is signed onto the upcoming Walking Dead spinoff series as a series regular. [I should note that I did briefly broach the subject of that show with Debnam-Carey, but she’s sworn to secrecy about it!][Laughs] Absolutely! There’s always many twists and turns in this show and I obviously don’t want to spoil anything, so I think you’ll just have to watch and find out. But there are definitely exciting things that are going to happen and a lot of maybe unexpected things too.I think Clarke and Lexa have similar experiences and a similar past in that they both have been suddenly required to be leaders and have had to lead their people in a certain way. They’ve both lost ex-loves. Lexa’s lost Costia and Clarke’s lost Finn and so in many ways they both have been called to similar positions. And I think that’s such a great bond. For quite young people, that’s a difficult thing to comprehend and to do well. It’s a lot of responsibility to have, so I think they’ve always found a connection in that way, especially Lexa. I don’t think she’s really seen someone else have to go through that position. I think that was an undercurrent for her. She was seeing maybe how Clarke’s approach to leading her people and to having such hope and courage and love is very different to the way Lexa’s been brought up to see leadership with the Grounders - which is quite brutal and there’s a lot of logic and rationality involved. So I think Clarke brings a very new perspective which is refreshing and attractive. So it’s a lovely friendship, as well, that we see growing too. It’s an interesting time for Lexa because she can start opening up a little bit, which is obviously very hard for her.It’s funny, because it was sort of one of those things that people kept telling us… Maybe sly comments along the way or something suggested in earlier scripts, but Eliza and I never really thought it would [happen], so when we read the script, we were like, “Oh, okay. It’s really happening! Okay, cool.” I think we thought that it just happens suddenly, so soon, but I think that’s what makes it so lovely as well, is that it’s this passion and this desire and this solace that they find in each other, which is so lovely. I think it is something so different and unique for a lot of teen shows and I love that we can represent a broad variation of people on this show. I think it’s so wonderful that the network has allowed us to do that. I think it’s great.

Continue to Page 2 as Debnam-Carey discusses the fan response to Lexa (and Clarke and Lexa together) and the concern they have over Lexa’s fate.