The 100 welcomes back friendly Grounder Niylah in season 4, and here to preview the character’s arc and relationships is none other than Jessica Harmon herself!
Jessica Harmon’s character Niylah made her debut in The 100‘s season 3 premiere two-parter, the tradepost Grounder offering Clarke shelter and comfort before the Azgeda bounty hunters tracked her down.
Later in the season, Clarke and her friends returned to Niylah’s outpost, once again needing a place to hide away, this time to save the ALIE-infected Raven.
Related: The 100 season 4, episode 6 review: Girl, Interrupted
Niylah, who had lost her father in the Grounder army massacre led by Pike and Bellamy, was understandably not altogether happy to see any member of Skaikru again, but she nonetheless helped Clarke and her friends, leaving things on relatively good terms under the circumstances.
In The 100 season 4, we learn that the character has been working with Skaikru to prepare rations for the radiation storm that — up until recently — a select few characters were set to ride out in Arkadia.
Niylah made her way to Arkadia just in time to watch it all come crumbling down, helping a wounded Octavia and attempting to stop Ilian from destroying Skaikru’s home. In this week’s episode, titled “We Will Rise,” Niylah and Clarke are once again sharing a bed, Niylah completely accepting Clarke’s grief for Lexa and providing help and comfort not just to Clarke, but to all the characters she interacts with.
So what’s next for Niylah and Niylarke? Hypable checked in with Jessica Harmon for a preview of what’s to come, and to hear her thoughts on the character and her key relationships.
Hypable: I really like Niylah, cause she seems like a genuinely good person. Most Grounders appear to lose their softness along the way, but Niylah has held onto hers, even after losing her family. What keeps her compassionate?
Jessica Harmon: Niylah has a big heart, and I think she turns her pain into love for the people she still has in her life and those who she believes in. Clarke is obviously someone she cares for and will follow, I would assume, even into her death if the moment called for it.
Niylah wasn’t exactly a fan of the Sky People last season, but in this season we see her helping them and teaming up with Octavia. Does she have any other allegiance, or is Skaikru the closest she has to a ‘people’ now?
She’s grown up away from most people, but she is of the Trikru Clan. But I’d say Skaikru have become her sudo-family at this point. With no family of her own to currently speak of, she seems to have gravitated towards and been accepted by our heroes. She’s quite independent though, so who’s to say where she’ll land!
She obviously had a particular issue with Bellamy, after he took part in the massacre that killed her father. Is there gonna be some kind of follow-up to their conversation in “Nevermore”?
I believe she’s moved past what happened to her family, specifically her father’s recent death. Again, she’s more of a lover than anything, so grudges aren’t something she carries. Then again… who’s to say, maybe she’ll kill them all!
I imagine there’ll be lots of talk about ‘Niylarke’ in the fandom post-4×06, and I’d love to get some insight from you in terms of Niylah’s state of mind. First of all, what went through your head when you read the script and saw that Clarke and Niylah got together again?
I love Niylarke, so I’ll always live on that ship! Their relationship is a mature one that’s based on mutual respect. What love there is, or could be beyond that… we’ll have to wait to see!
What do you think Niylah feels for Clarke at this point in time?
Respect and love.
Clarke is clearly still grieving for Lexa, and Niylah senses that. She seems nothing but supportive of Clarke, but is a part of her bothered that she doesn’t have her heart?
I don’t think Niylah would ever be bothered by someone’s love for another, especially knowing Clarke’s feelings for Lexa. I don’t believe she’d ever get in the way of that, again it’s her respect for others that takes priority.
Do you think under different circumstances (or these circumstances!) the two could develop a lasting relationship?
There is always a possibility! Time will tell.
This is the second time we’ve seen her back tattoo. Does it have a special significance?
I’m not sure about the significance of the tattoo but I imagine there would be one! That’s a question for someone above my pay grade!
How about friendships or other acquaintances? Niylah is so nice, I just kind of want her to be everyone’s best friend. (My dream-teamup is Harper and Niylah, their combined empathy would be a nice antidote to all the death and drama.) Will we see her develop dynamics with other characters?
We do see her with several other characters forging new relationships. Personally, I love the idea of her becoming close to the others, it’s an amazing cast and the characters they’ve created keep me excited to come to work. Harper and Niylah fo sho!
How do you feel about being on The 100 overall and being a part of this exciting season?
Well, as most fans know, my brother Richard [Harmon] is on the show which was my first draw to wanting to be a part of it. As my time on the show continued I grew to love the entire cast, and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to take part in The 100 cons as well, and meet the fans who happen to be the absolute best — so it’s safe to say I’ve had an all around incredible time. Some of my best friendships have been made because of The 100, so I owe the powers at be and my coworkers a huge debt of gratitude. It’s been life-changing.
What appeals to you about playing Niylah?
At first I just felt lucky to be a part of the show, but I’ve grown to love this character as well. She’s like nothing I’ve ever played before. She’s a lot more sympathetic and caring than I’ll ever be, so it’s been interesting to explore that side of me. Or attempt to at least!
What are her best and worst qualities?
I think her good heart is her strength and weakness. She’ll lay down her life for what is right and the friendships she’s made — which is a clear double-edged sword!
And finally, I want to briefly touch on Murphy and Niylah! Since you’re around so much, is it safe to say they meet this year? If they did, would they be friends? Could Niylah take him in a fight? Do you approve of Memori?
I can’t say for sure if they meet or not, but being on set while Rick’s there is the best part of my job on this show. He’s an amazing actor, better than me, and watching him work fills me with pride. In a fight!?! They’re both passionate characters so I really don’t know! Hopefully it never comes to that! Also yes, I fully approve of Emori!
Thanks to Jessica Harmon for giving us a glimpse into Niylah’s state of mind. We hope to see much more of this great character as the season progresses!