Initially, Arrow was envisioned as a five-year story that told Oliver Queen’s origin from emotionally scarred killer to empowering hero. But with the show establishing itself as the king of the new era of DC Television, allowing for The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and now Black Lightning to follow, it was clear that Arrow wouldn’t wind down after season 5.
With Oliver Queen’s five-year journey fulfilled, the producers are looking to introduce a new chapter of Oliver’s story, which includes a different kind of Oliver we’re used to, father and all.
While the season finale might’ve blown up the entirety of Lian Yu – and possibly some of the characters we know in the process – there’s also this sense of “well, we know you want us to believe our favorites are dead, but we’re not buying it for a second.”
We spoke to Stephen Amell at San Diego Comic-Con about where Oliver and Felicity stand – and he wants you to know that this is assuming she lives, of course. Which, come on, we all know she does.
“We flash back to the immediate aftermath of 5×23,” Amell said of the season 6 premiere. It’s also going to affect Oliver “deeply.” That’s all we could get out of him.
With William being introduced in a more significant way last season, it was evident that we were headed toward this whole “Oliver as a dad” storyline. So, yes, that will in fact be a big part of Oliver’s story this season. Though when we pick up with the season 6 premiere, Oliver isn’t exactly Father of the Year.
“We haven’t seen Oliver as a dad,” Amell said. “And not only that, but a struggling dad.”
Speaking of William, it sounds as if – assuming Felicity survives (duh!) – that not only are Oliver and Felicity in a great place, but that William might be a part of that.
“They’re in a tremendous place,” Amell teased. “William is a thing – in a good way. But William’s a thing.”
Watch our full interview with Amell below:
Arrow returns for season 6 on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c on The CW.
Stay tuned for more Arrow interviews from SDCC!
