Writing in an Instagram post on September 10, Morley wrote, “Ok. Well what a wild and life changing ride it has been. I am deeply grateful to all that have been involved in this production over 7 long years. I’d like to thank the Crew, Cast, Writers, Production office, Casting, Vancouver, CW and WB. And I want to thank the FANS that have gone along this journey with all of us. I have forged memories on and off set and at conventions that will burn brightly for the rest to my life.

“Farewell Bellamy, it’s time for the big sleep, rest easy. You are finally free.”

Previously, Rothenberg had written on his Twitter about the shock twist, “for seven seasons, The 100 has been a show about the dark things that humanity will do to survive and the toll those deeds take on our heroes’ souls.”

A post shared by Bob Morley (@wildpip_morley) on Sep 10, 2020 at 7:55am PDT

“We knew Bellamy’s death had to go to the heart of what the show was all about: Survival. Who you’re willing to protect. And who you’re willing to sacrifice.”

“His loss is devastating, but his life and his endless love for his people will loom large and affect everything that comes after, to the very end of the series finale itself.”

Rothenberg concluded: “We thank Bob for his beautiful work over these long years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Previously, the showrunner has explained why he has killed off characters in the past. Speaking to TVInsider after the deaths of Harper (Chelsey Reist) and Monty (Christopher Larkin), Rothenberg said, “On this show, we try to make the character deaths hurt. It’s a tragedy.

“And we do things to increase the emotional devastation of the audience—I’m not being cavalier about it, but we do things within the context of an episode to make the audience see the character differently or come to love the character before we kill them, because we’re trying to maximize the impact of that death. Sometimes it’s a heroic death, but sometimes it’s just tragic and senseless and sudden, the way that we experience death in life.”

The 100 Season 7 airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.