After the news earlier this week that all 5 of the CW/DC Arrowverse shows (‘Arrow,’ ‘The Flash,’ ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ and ‘Black Lightning’) are getting renewals for the 2018-2019 television season, it seems only natural that more news about the CW’s superhero shows should follow immediately afterwards.
First up is the news that Marc Guggenheim is taking a step back from both ‘Arrow’ and ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ as he had served as both co-showrunner and executive producer on both shows after co-creating them, and will now transition to the role of executive consultant for both shows (with Phil Klemmer now having sole showrunner and executive producer duties on ‘Legends of Tomorrow’). Next is the news that Wendy Mericle, long-time co-showrunner and executive producer (with Guggenheim) on ‘Arrow,’ is also stepping down at the end of Season 6, to be replaced by Beth Schwartz, who will serve as the new executive producer and sole showrunner.
In a statement made on Tuesday, Greg Berlanti said:
“We are all so incredibly thrilled to announce Beth Schwartz as the new showrunner of Arrow. She has been a source of some of the show’s most exciting and memorable moments from the beginning. Beth is a true leader and a captivating storyteller, and we all can’t wait for the audience to see what she and her team dream up as they take Arrow into its next big chapter.”
Schwartz started her time with Berlanti when she was hired as his assistant back in the days when he was working on ‘Everwood’ on the WB. She rose through the ranks over the years, co-writing a few episodes of Berlanti’s ABC series ‘Brothers and Sisters’ and then becoming a writers assistant on ‘Arrow’ Season 1 back in 2012. Soon enough, she became a full writer and by the time Season 6 came around, she was a co-executive producer alongside Berlanti and Mericle.
Now she will take over the CW’s flagship superhero series, and take on the daunting tasks of trying to keep the few embers of life going for the show, as fans have been exiting for a few seasons now and many have felt the series will never return to its creative high again. Perhaps with new leadership things can change, but we’ll have to wait to see what Schwartz brings to the table when ‘Arrow’ Season 7 premieres next fall!
Source: THR
