Go through old Stephen Amell interviews and the
Arrow star has long stated that he'd be surprised if the show lasted more than five seasons as
Oliver Queen only spent five years "trapped" on the island of Lian Yu. With each season telling one year of flashbacks, season 6 is poised to venture into new territory and that's exactly what has showrunner Wendy Mericle excited. But that doesn't necessarily mean that viewers should look at
Arrow season 6 as a reboot.
"
Reboot is one of those words. It’s so funny. I think in some ways yes, I do, but I also think that word can get misconstrued very easily. This show is evolving and it’s exciting because it is a new dynamic this season without the flashbacks. I know I keep saying we have more real estate, but we’ve been in the writers’ room for three weeks and it’s been amazing how different the show feels. There’s just a lot more freedom.
It’s actually very exciting because we can take this show to different places now and to different directions. I’ll repeat it, but it really is exciting to have the time and the space to talk about these other characters. We were always sort of pressed, and moved stories so quickly. We’re still moving stories that same way, we just have a little more space to explore other points of view and other characters. It’s fun."
Did you think
Arrow was ultimately hamstrung a bit by its narrative crux of linking events of Oliver's past to what was currently happening in Star City? That approach was definitely hit-and-miss across the show's five seasons, with the past and present ties to
Deathstroke,
Shado and
Mirakuru making season 2 the best of the five. With the show set to introduce a new narrative dynamic, a sane
Slade Wilson and an evil
Black Canary to bring into the fold, season 6 will look to continue the momentum created by a resurgent season 5.
Arrow season 6 premieres October 12 at 9PM on The CW. Expect more
news on the upcoming season to be unveiled at SDCC.