CW, you have failed this fandom. The show that started DC’s rise of superhero dominance on the CW is coming to an end. Although ‘Arrow’ was renewed for an eighth season back in January, the network has now announced that this season will be the show’s final one and will only consist of 10 episodes.
In a joint statement released, executive producers Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Beth Schwartz said:
“This was a difficult decision to come to, but like every hard decision we’ve made for the past seven years, it was with the best interests of ‘Arrow’ in mind. We’re heartened by the fact that ‘Arrow’ has birthed an entire universe of shows that will continue on for many years to come. We’re excited about crafting a conclusion that honors the show, its characters and its legacy and are grateful to all the writers, producers, actors, and — more importantly — the incredible crew that has sustained us and the show for over seven years.”
Stephen Amell posted on his Twitter account thanking fans once the announcement was made:
Playing Oliver Queen has been the greatest professional experience of my life… but you can’t be a vigilante forever.
Arrow will return for a final run of 10 episodes this Fall.
There’s so much to say… for now I just want to say thank you.
— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) March 6, 2019
On a Facebook Live chat, an emotional Amell further thanked the cast and crew and explained the reason for cancellation:
While the news of the cancellation does hit hard, Amell did leave fans with some hope that they haven’t seen the last of him donning the green hood:
“Something tells me even when I’m done, I won’t be gone. If you watch the Arrowverse, you should understand that… I think it’s been a good run. It’s no Supernatural, but it’s been a good run.”
It’s always hard when a show that has run this long and has amassed so many fans comes to an end. ‘Arrow’ was a show that proved that while DC was still trying to find its legs in the cinematic form, they were untouchable when it came to their live-action superhero shows on television.
Yes, CW, while you have failed us, it’s good to know – at least in my eyes – ‘Arrow’ never did.
