Arrow’s fifth season finale was a massive feat from start to finish. But it was the final moment, specifically, that left our jaws hanging on the ground as the show left the fate of everyone not named Oliver Queen or William up in the air. But then several seconds later, once the immediate shock wore off, we realized we knew better.
We spoke with Arrow star David Ramsey at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this month, where he teased the upcoming season – while also revealing that Diggle doesn’t die on Lian Yu (duh!) – specifically about the significance of the theme of family and how this tragedy affects everyone moving forward.
While everyone’s doing their best to try and convince us that some of our favorites, including John Diggle, might not have survived the island explosion, we know better. But with that said, just because our favorites may escape with their lives, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll escape unscathed – whether it be physically or more specifically emotionally, as it will be for Diggle.
“The explosion affects all of us,” Ramsey said. “It specifically affects Diggle in an emotional and physical way that’s going to play out throughout the season…There’s a long-lasting effect of what happened on the island for him that affects him long term.”
Through five seasons of Arrow, we’ve been presented with this almost indestructible force known as John Diggle. He’s been the strong one; he’s been the wise one; he’s been the one that can get through anything. But in season 6, Diggle is finally going to break a little.
“There’s a perception that he can get through it all,” Ramsey said. “I think we’re going to see Diggle, for the first time, deal with some things that he can’t handle. Even greater than the death of his brother, the Canary, both of which he blames himself for.
“Diggle’s been a bit of a Superman emotionally and even physically,” Ramsey continued. “I think we have to see a broken Diggle. I think you’ll see that – you will. Even beginning in 6×01, Diggle’s dealing with something specifically that he’s never had to deal with.”
Watch our full interview with Ramsey below:
Arrow season 6 premieres Thursday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c on The CW.
Stay tuned for more Arrow interviews from SDCC!