# Jason Rothenberg

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This article is about the creator and screenwriter of *The 100*. For the American actor and singer, see [Jason Raize](/source/Jason_Raize).

**Jason Rothenberg** is an American television producer, writer and director, known for his work on [The CW](/source/The_CW) television series *[The 100](/source/The_100_(TV_series))*.

## Career

### *Body Politic*

In 2009, [the CW](/source/The_CW) ordered a pilot to Jason Rothenberg and Bill Robinson's long-in-the-works drama about a group of young Washington, D.C. staffers titled *[Body Politic](/source/Body_Politic_(TV_pilot))*. The project was originally sold to [The WB](/source/The_WB) back in November 2005 by [ABC Studios](/source/ABC_Studios) (then known as Touchstone Television).[1] However the show did not appear in the CW's fall schedule in early 2009 and on May 21, 2009, in an interview with [Dawn Ostroff](/source/Dawn_Ostroff), the CW's CEO stated the show was still in consideration for midseason.[2][3] Finally, on August 4, 2009, Dawn Ostroff announced that the project was officially dead for the CW.[4]

After the CW didn't pick up the pilot, the Rothenberg and Robinson tried to promote the potential series to other networks including NBC and ABC. It was reported that NBC liked what they saw, but didn't have space for it and ABC was considering the series for midseason.[5] In the end, no one picked up the series.

Although the series was left out, critics were positive enough with the 14–20-minute pilot presentation. [E! Online](/source/E!_Online) describe it as the "Best Pilot you may never see" and that "if the CW ever wants us to take it seriously as a trademark network of our generation, it needs to branch out from its usual routine of picking up shows geared for a younger audience. *The Body Politic* is a cure to that problem".[6]

### *The 100*

See also: [The 100 (TV series)](/source/The_100_(TV_series))

On May 9, 2013, it was announced that CW ordered *[The 100](/source/The_100_(TV_series))*, developed by Rothenberg and based on [first novel in the book series of the same name](/source/The_100_(novel_series)) by [Kass Morgan](/source/Kass_Morgan).[7][8] The series premiered on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, and was watched by an estimated 2.7 million American viewers, and received an 18–49 rating of 0.9.[9] It is considered the most-watched show in its time-slot on The CW since 2010 with the series *[Life Unexpected](/source/Life_Unexpected)*.[10] On [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes), the show's first season had 72% of professional reviewers reviewing it positively, with a consensus of "Although flooded with stereotypes, the suspenseful atmosphere helps make *The 100* a rare high-concept guilty pleasure."[11] On [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), the first season scores 63 out of 100 points.[12] Rothenberg stated that he "wanted to do a show with a *[Lord of the Flies](/source/Lord_of_the_Flies)* theme"[13]

The second season premiered on Wednesday, October 23, 2014, and received an 18–49 rating of 0.5 with 1.54 million American viewers, which was less than the final episode of season one.[14][15] However the second season was met with more favorable reviews, holding a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.[11] [IGN](/source/IGN) also gave the show a more positive review. IGN editor Eric Goldman writes, "Overcoming most of its early growing pains pretty quickly, *The 100* was a very strong show by the end of its first season. But Season 2 elevated the series into the upper echelon, as the show become one of the coolest and most daring series on TV these days."[16]

On January 11, 2015, The CW renewed the series for a third season.[17] In this season, [Lexa](/source/Lexa_(The_100)), a lesbian character, was controversially killed.[18][19] After criticism by fans and critics, Rothenberg posted an apology letter.[19][20][21]

The series continued into its seventh season, with its final episode being written and directed by Rothenberg and airing on September 30, 2020.[22][23] Rothenberg was credited as the writer for sixteen of the one-hundred episodes of the series.

***The 100* episodes written by Jason Rothenberg:**

- "Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1)
- "Earth Skills" (Season 1, Episode 2)
- "We Are Grounders, Part Two" (Season 1, Episode 13)
- "The 48" (Season 2, Episode 1)
- "Blood Must Have Blood, Part Two" (Season 2, Episode 16)
- "Wanheda, Part One" (Season 3, Episode 1)
- "Perverse Instantiation, Part Two" (Season 3, Episode 16)
- "Echoes" (Season 4, Episode 1)
- "Praimfaya" (Season 4, Episode 13)
- "Eden" (Season 5, Episode 1)
- "Damocles, Part Two" (Season 5, Episode 13)
- "Sanctum" (Season 6, Episode 1)
- "The Blood of Sanctum" (Season 6, Episode 13)
- "From the Ashes" (Season 7, Episode 1)
- "Anaconda" (Season 7, Episode 8)
- "The Last War" (Season 7, Episode 16) (also director)

### *Searchers*

In October 2016, *[Deadline](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)* reported that The CW bought the rights of to the new Rothenberg and [Greg Berlanti](/source/Greg_Berlanti) project *Searchers,*[24] but by May 2017, Deadline reported that CW has opted not to proceed with the pilot.[citation needed]

## Filmography

### Film

Title Year Notes Original Intent 1992 Key set production assistant American Cuisine 1998 Key production assistant Julien Donkey-Boy 1999 Production office coordinator

### Television

The numbers in directing and writing credits refer to the number of episodes.

Title Year Credited as Network Notes Creator Director Writer Executive producer Body Politic 2009 The CW Unsold pilot The 100 2014–20 (1) (16) Searchers 2017 Unsold pilot

## References

1. ["Development Update: Thursday, February 5"](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7948). *[The Futon Critic](/source/The_Futon_Critic)*. February 5, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210213051025/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7948) February 13, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

1. Ghosh, Korbi (May 21, 2009). ["Dawn Ostroff says 'Gossip Girl' spin off could still get a spot on The CW schedule"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160616153922/http://zap2it.com/2009/05/dawn-ostroff-says-gossip-girl-spin-off-could-still-get-a-spot-on-the-cw-schedule/). *[Zap2it](/source/Zap2it)*. Archived from [the original](http://zap2it.com/2009/05/dawn-ostroff-says-gossip-girl-spin-off-could-still-get-a-spot-on-the-cw-schedule/) on June 16, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.

1. Ghosh, Korbi (May 27, 2009). ["'Body Politic': I've now seen the pilot, The CW needs to pick it up"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160616153726/http://zap2it.com/2009/05/the-body-politic/). *[Zap2it](/source/Zap2it)*. Archived from [the original](http://zap2it.com/2009/05/the-body-politic/) on June 16, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.

1. Ausiello, Michael (August 4, 2009). ["Press Tour Diary: The CW executive session"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201024182052/https://ew.com/article/2009/08/04/press-tour-diary-the-cw-executive-session/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.ew.com/article/2009/08/04/press-tour-diary-the-cw-executive-session) on October 24, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.

1. C, Nick (June 19, 2009). ["Body Politic Future"](https://nickctv.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/body-politic-future/). *[WordPress](/source/WordPress)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161012171536/https://nickctv.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/body-politic-future/) October 12, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

1. Abrams, Natalie (June 6, 2009). ["*The Body Politic*: The Best Pilot You May Never See"](http://www.eonline.com/news/127629/the-body-politic-the-best-pilot-you-may-never-see). *[E!](/source/E!)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230405030023/https://www.eonline.com/news/127629/the-body-politic-the-best-pilot-you-may-never-see) April 5, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

1. Hibberd, James (May 9, 2013). ["CW orders 3 new sci-fi shows"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200919003427/https://ew.com/article/2013/05/09/cw-sci-fi-shows/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.ew.com/article/2013/05/09/cw-sci-fi-shows) on September 19, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.

1. ["100, THE (CW)"](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/100/). *[The Futon Critic](/source/The_Futon_Critic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230711230554/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/100/) July 11, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 22, 2015.

1. ["Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Survivor' Adjusted Up; No Adjustment for 'The 100'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140321015018/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/20/wednesday-final-ratings-survivor-adjusted-up-no-adjustment-for-the-100/246391/). *[TV by the Numbers](/source/TV_by_the_Numbers)*. March 20, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/20/wednesday-final-ratings-survivor-adjusted-up-no-adjustment-for-the-100/246391/) on March 21, 2014.

1. ["'The 100' Premiere is the CW's Most Watched Show in the Time Period Since 2010"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140321001752/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/20/the-100-premiere-is-the-cws-most-watched-show-in-the-time-period-since-2010/246477/). *[TV by the Numbers](/source/TV_by_the_Numbers)*. March 20, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/03/20/the-100-premiere-is-the-cws-most-watched-show-in-the-time-period-since-2010/246477/) on March 21, 2014.

1. ["The 100 (2014- )"](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/-CW/). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160613010851/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/-CW) June 13, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

1. ["The 100 : Season 1"](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-100). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150106210322/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-100) January 6, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

1. ["An interview with executive producer, Jason Rothenberg, for The 100 | Channel 4"](https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-executive-producer-jason-rothenberg-100). *www.channel4.com*. Retrieved 2026-06-01.

1. ["'Beauty and the Beast', 'The 100' and 'Hart of Dixie' Renewed by The CW"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140508223837/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/08/beauty-and-the-beast-renewed-by-the-cw/261847/). *[TV by the Numbers](/source/TV_by_the_Numbers)*. May 8, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/08/beauty-and-the-beast-renewed-by-the-cw/261847/) on May 8, 2014.

1. Kondolojy, Amanda (October 23, 2014). ["Wednesday Final Ratings: 'The Middle', 'The Goldbergs', 'Modern Family', & 'Criminal Minds' Adjusted Up; 'black-ish' Adjusted Down + Final World Series Numbers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141025164721/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/10/23/wednesday-final-ratings-the-middle-the-goldbergs-modern-family-black-ish-adjusted-down-final-world-series-numbers/318375). *[TV by the Numbers](/source/TV_by_the_Numbers)*. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/10/23/wednesday-final-ratings-the-middle-the-goldbergs-modern-family-black-ish-adjusted-down-final-world-series-numbers/318375/) on October 25, 2014.

1. Goldman, Eric (March 15, 2015). ["The 100: Season 2 Review"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/15/the-100-season-2-review). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160106152353/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/15/the-100-season-2-review) January 6, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

1. Goldberg, Lesley (January 11, 2015). ["CW Renews 'Arrow,' 'Flash,' 'Supernatural,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Originals,' More"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cw-renews-arrow-flash-supernatural-762522). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190526021957/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cw-renews-arrow-flash-supernatural-762522) May 26, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 17, 2016.

1. Prudom, Laura (March 3, 2016). ["'The 100' Boss Talks Latest Casualty, That Flashback Twist"](https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/the-100-spoilers-lexa-dead-becca-commander-season-3-episode-7-thirteen-1201722251/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160525053252/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/the-100-spoilers-lexa-dead-becca-commander-season-3-episode-7-thirteen-1201722251/) May 25, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 17, 2016.

1. Ryan, Maureen (March 14, 2016). ["What TV Can Learn From 'The 100' Mess"](https://variety.com/2016/tv/opinion/the-100-lexa-jason-rothenberg-1201729110/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210603193133/https://variety.com/2016/tv/opinion/the-100-lexa-jason-rothenberg-1201729110/) June 3, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 17, 2016.

1. ["Fans revolt after gay TV character killed off"](https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35786382). *[BBC](/source/BBC)*. March 11, 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161211161034/http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35786382) December 11, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 17, 2016.

1. Rothenberg, Jason (March 24, 2016). ["The Life and Death of Lexa"](https://medium.com/@jrothenberg/the-life-and-death-of-lexa-e461224be1db). *[Medium](/source/Medium_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160623224939/https://medium.com/@jrothenberg/the-life-and-death-of-lexa-e461224be1db) June 23, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 17, 2016.

1. Rothenberg, Jason (August 4, 2019). "With #The100 Season 6 finale just days away, I have some bittersweet news to share: Season 7 will be our last. We are eternally grateful to WB & CW for always allowing us to tell our story the way we want to & to wrap the show on our terms. What an incredible ride this has been!". No. 1158048665929277440. Retrieved August 7, 2019.

1. Petski, Denise (March 4, 2020). ["The CW Sets Premiere Dates For 'Stargirl', 'In The Dark' Season 2 & Final Season Of 'The 100'"](https://deadline.com/2020/03/the-cw-sets-premiere-dates-stargirl-in-the-dark-season-2-final-season-the-100-1202874370/). *Deadline Hollywood*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200304234744/https://deadline.com/2020/03/the-cw-sets-premiere-dates-stargirl-in-the-dark-season-2-final-season-the-100-1202874370/) March 4, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 4, 2020.

1. Andreeva, Nellie (October 25, 2016). ["The CW Buys Action Drama 'Searchers' From 'The 100' Creator & Greg Berlanti"](https://deadline.com/2016/10/searchers-cw-action-drama-the-100-creator-jason-rothenberg-greg-berlanti-1201842759/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170407054337/http://deadline.com/2016/10/searchers-cw-action-drama-the-100-creator-jason-rothenberg-greg-berlanti-1201842759/) April 7, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 6, 2017.

## External links

- [Jason Rothenberg](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1003202/) at IMDb

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jason Rothenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Rothenberg) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Rothenberg?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.