[SPOILERS FOR THIS WEEK’S EPISODE OF ARROW]
If you had any doubt after watching last night’s episode of Arrow, show producers have now confirmed actor Colton Haynes (Roy Harper) will depart the hit superhero show. The cast had been hinting at a major cast departure via social media over the past few months and this week’s episode, titled Broken Arrow, saw Roy Harper aka Arsenal take the fall for Oliver Queen with police, but then saw him get to ride off into the sunset.
Haynes is leaving Arrow due to the end of his contract after just being upgraded from recurring to a series regular in Season 2. But this doesn’t mean Roy Harper is done with the shared DC Television universe. The actor is scheduled to appear in one more episode during this season of Arrow and talks are already underway for appearances on The Flash or the untitled Arrow-Flash spinoff, according to co-creators/executive producers Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim.
Deadline has an interview up with the Berlanti and Guggenheim that’s a good read for Arrow fans and even teases what’s to come on the show. I especially appreciated this quote about them not taking the easy way out and killing the character, like so many other shows do. The exchange below also gives fans hope for Roy’s future:
DEADLINE: Did you consider killing off Roy?
BERLANTI: We wanted to do something different. These characters are so young, they represent the next generation of superheroes, and we love the idea of having them just out there. And as a person we like Colton so much, we all would love to see him back. Such a talented, great guy.
GUGGENHEIM: The hope is that he’ll continue to be part of the universe we are building. We love working with his so much. We’ve talked to him about returning to one of the three shows, and if available, he has expressed interest. He is gone but definitely not forever.
On a personal note, I’ve spoken with Colton on a couple of occasions doing press for Arrow and found him to be a very polite, funny guy. Hopefully he continues to remain a part of this DC Television universe and will pop up now and again like they mentioned. Roy is a character that populates this world in the comics and while he doesn’t have to always be in the center of the action, it’s nice to know he’s out there.
arrow arsenal colton haynes roy harper the cw Warner Bros TV