As perhaps the most public and outspoken star within The CW's Arrow-verse, Stephen Amell tends to produce quick and thoughtful responses to the myriad plot twists and behind-the-scenes reveals that affect both his show and the others. However, Amell took two entire days to give the fans a response to the shocking news that his longtime Arrow co-star Emily Bett Rickards will be leaving the show this season. Check out his heartfelt words below.
For me... August 3rd, 2012 is the most important day in the history of our show. It was the first day I worked with Emily. Her energy and the vibrancy she gave to Felicity Smoak is only surpassed by what she personally gave to me. She was a co-worker that became a best friend. So on the first day of our last episode together, I’d like everyone to know how deeply I appreciate the past seven years. EmBett... We wouldn’t be here without you. I love you. And I cannot wait to see what you do next.
Does anyone have any spare Kleenex arrows in their quills? Maybe a Handkerchief arrow, or even an Old T-Shirt arrow? No? It's fine. I'm not crying anyway.
Stephen Amell likely got a lot of fans to cover their hearts while saying, "Aww!" while reading his Instagram post. And for good reason, considering his and Emily Bett Rickards' Oliver and Felicity are one of the longest-lasting couples in superhero TV history. (Even Lois & Clark only got four seasons.) Fans have been invested in their up-and-down (and back-and-forth) relationship for years now, though Arrow's recent flash-forwards have hinted that Olicity won't be a coupling that survives the ages. Lots of things apparently don't survive.
Still, it was a huge surprise when Emily Bett Rickards kicked off last weekend by announcing her impending exit, and via rhyming phrases, no less. It'd have been one thing if she would have announced that she would be backing out of the CW drama in the middle of its eighth and final season, but Rickards will apparently need to close out Felicity's story much sooner than that. (It's not like she couldn't feasibly return in Season 8 in some capacity, knowing how this show likes to bring characters back.)
It doesn't sound like Arrow is filming its Season 7 finale right now, so if Stephen Amell is correctly stating that the in-production episode will be Rickards' last, that lends more weight to fans' fears that Season 7 will wrap up without her there. Here's hoping she still shows up in the season-ender, and then maybe a cameo or two in Season 8.
You can check out Stephen Amell's adorable post and pic below.
More details will probably get revealed about Emily Bett Rickards' last episode ahead of its airing, so that viewers can get properly prepared to see her go. I guess that means lots of Overwatch and/or The Calculator cosplay, depending on whose side those viewers are on.
Arrow airs Monday nights on The CW at 9:00 p.m. ET, though fans won't be catching a new episode until the show returns to the midseason schedule on April 15.
