As fans are still rocked by the news that Arrow will end after a shortened Season 8, Stephen Amell has taken time to address fans directly and explain his reasoning behind wanting The CW series to end. The Oliver Queen actor hopped on his social media and broke down his thinking behind making the move. He stated it came down to a mixture of his family and his future career.
I approached [producer] Greg Berlanti and said that I thought both personally and professionally that at the end of my commitment this coming season, it would be the best for me to move on. I’ve always been a fan of television shows that not only don’t overstay their welcome, but end in a manner that really packs a punch. It had always been my hope that we would know when we were going to finish this journey and not limp to the finish line, so to speak.
Stephen Amell prefaced that with the information that he first approached Greg Berlanti with his intention to leave Arrow towards the end of Season 6. The wheels were set in motion from there, and after a collaborative discussion between Amell, Berlanti, showrunner Beth Schwartz, and The CW, there was a mutual agreement to end the show after the next 10-episode run.
As mentioned, part of Stephen Amell's decision was professional, and few can blame Arrow's leading actor for wanting to do all he can to get out before the show is "limping" as he put it. Ratings have been down, and while The CW has been pretty lenient on dropping shows that don't perform as of late, it's a possibility the decision to end Arrow could've been made before anyone on the series decided to consider it.
Stephen Amell also explained in his emotional Facebook video part of the decision was rooted in his family, which has grown in the course of eight years. As he stated, he started this show as someone who, by his own admission, didn't have a ton of dating experience. Now he's married with a family, and finding that time with his wife and kids is more important to him than spending months on set away in Vancouver.
Stephen Amell's message to fans makes it sound like he's ready to step away from television for a while. Or at least he's ready for a break from roles that -- like Arrow -- require an extended amount of time away from home. This may weaken arguments that Amell is leaving the show to start another Justice League type spin-off, but strengthen any arguments he may have swapped fates with Barry when talking to The Monitor in "Elseworlds." How will this ride end?
Fans may find out by watching new episodes of Arrow on The CW Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. Keep with CinemaBlend for more updates as the final season looms closer, and head over to our midseason premiere guide for dates on shows premiering in the coming weeks.
