"Arrow's" Amell Addresses Oliver's Political Leanings & His Hopes for a Flash Forward

CBR

By Meagan Damore

Published Aug 11, 2016

Stephen Amell addressed the future of the show's flashbacks as well as Oliver Queen's history as a mayor in the comics.

In the "Arrow" Season 4 finale, Oliver Queen became the Mayor of Star City, though it's a position he attained in a rather roundabout way. When Season 5 picks up, he'll maintain this position -- with a a little help from his sister Thea, of course. Speaking to CBR's Kiel Phegley, Stephen Amell -- who plays the Green Arrow himself -- explained his character's history as a mayor and what he hopes to see Oliver do in this position.

"In Season 5, Thea is doing more of the mayoral work than Oliver is, and that's actually a point of contention. Oliver is using the mayor's office as a gateway to vigilante-ing," he shared. "I've actually asked the producers... 'What's Oliver's position? What's his stance?' Because the Green Arrow has a long history of being a very liberal, a very 'give back to the people' type of superhero. I would really love for Oliver Queen to take a position within the show, even if it's unpopular. I think it'd be cool."

Amell also addressed the show's flashbacks, saying, "[We're] definitely closing a chapter this year. I don't know how this season is going to end; I don't think it's going to be the last season of the show, but I would really hope -- in my mind, as a huge fan of 'Lost,' I always remember the end of Season 3 when they flash forward for the first time and Jack's yelling, 'We've got to go back!'... I really, really hope that we can have a moment like that on 'Arrow.' We are certainly, in Season 5, closing a chapter. I don't know what that means yet."

"I feel like there's no imminent tragedy in Season 5 yet," he explained. "There's certainly lingering tragedy with what happened to Captain Lance's daughter [Laurel Lance, the Black Canary]. It very much shaped the coming season."

Amell's co-stars Willa Holland, Paul Blackthorne and John Barrowman also tackled topics such as Black Canary's death, Quentin Lance's future as a member of Team Arrow and more.

Starring Stephen Amell, Emily Bett-Rickards and David Ramsey, "Arrow" will return to The CW on Wednesday, October 5 at 8 pm EST.