“That’s What Makes It Work”: Stephen Amell Explains Why The Arrowverse’s Biggest Gamble Worked

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While Arrow covered many different storylines, Stephen Amell believes a key decision was crucial to the show’s success. As the first series in what became the ‘Arrowverse,’ it remarkably launched a shared universe that often surpassed the more expensive DC Extended Universe in popularity. This makes Arrow a particularly impactful and important superhero TV show.

Despite being a key part of The CW’s superhero shows, Arrow wasn’t always a hit with everyone and sometimes lagged behind its sister shows in popularity. This could have been due to its generally darker tone or because many viewers weren’t familiar with the Green Arrow character. However, the show always had a unique energy that set it apart.

Olicity Was Arrow’s Biggest Gamble

As a huge fan of superhero shows, I’ve always found Oliver Queen – the Arrow – to be a really unique character in the CW’s Arrowverse. A lot of the other heroes are pretty upbeat and avoid killing at all costs, but Oliver? He started out driven by anger and a real thirst for vengeance. That’s what made him stand out from the beginning, honestly.

While Oliver is a dark and serious character, Arrow also features Felicity Smoak, who is almost his opposite. She’s cheerful, witty, and often brings a much-needed lightness to the show, helping to balance out the darker elements.

When these two characters started a romance, it seemed like it could have dramatically altered the course of Arrow, potentially in a way that would have been impossible to fix. Surprisingly, this relationship turned out to be a key element that shaped the entire show.

Stephen Amell Once Explained Why Olicity Worked

Stephen Amell, known for his role as Oliver Queen in the Arrowverse, generously credited his co-star, Emily Bett Rickards, with the success of their on-screen chemistry, as he told Entertainment Weekly.

Emily’s acting is what really makes the show successful. She’s incredibly talented and has brought something completely unexpected to the role. Honestly, I’m not sure the show would work at all without her.

Although Stephen Amell played a significant role, Emily Bett Rickards’ performance was key to making the relationship feel authentic and engaging. However, the overall mood and presentation of Arrow ultimately suited Amell’s portrayal of Oliver Queen, making their connection more believable.

The Green Arrow in the comic books is generally portrayed as more lighthearted and focused on politics compared to the version played by Stephen Amell. This makes him a good match for his long-time love interest, Laurel Lance (also known as the Black Canary), who doesn’t have as significant a role in the Arrow TV series.

Arrow Should Still Have Treated Laurel Better

Although the show Arrow accurately depicted Oliver Queen as someone who attracted romantic attention – a trait from the comics – Lauren Lance’s character suffered the most from changes made to the original source material. Not only did she not become the Black Canary until the fourth season, but throughout the series, she was consistently mistreated and deceived by those closest to her.

While Oliver and Felicity’s relationship is considered a perfect match and one of the best love stories in superhero television, the way Laurel Lance’s character was written after their pairing wasn’t ideal. Though ‘Olicity’ became central to the show Arrow, it ultimately diminished Laurel’s role and potential.

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2026-01-01 21:38