Deadline is reporting that Brandon Routh (Ray Palmer/Atom) and Courtney Ford (Nora Darhk) will be leaving
DC's Legends of Tomorrow as series regulars during the show's upcoming fifth season.
Details are being kept under wraps, but the exit is being described as a creative decision to wrap up both of their storylines, which has seen the real-life married couple go from on-screen enemies to reluctant teammates to love interests. However, while they are leaving, the door is being kept open for the pair to return down the line to lend a helping hand to their Legends family.
Following the news, Brandon Routh, a fan-favorite original cast member, released the following statement, “
I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring the big-hearted and humorous Ray Palmer to life for our fans over the last 5 years, but unfortunately, his storyline is pointed in another direction. I’m saddened to see Ray’s journey end for now but wish my Legends family well.”
Courtney Ford said, “
Nora Darhk is very close to my heart. If it were my choice, I’d play her for years to come. But I understand that stories run their course, and I’m grateful for the time I did have bringing Nora to life on Legends of Tomorrow.”
In a joint statement, executive producers Phil Klemmer, Grianne Godfree and Keto Shimizu expressed their gratitude, “
Brandon and Courtney have been invaluable members of the Legends family. They have always brought a level passion and collaboration to their characters and to the show — both on and off the screen – that we deeply admire and for which we are eternally grateful.”
Ahead of the fifth season's January premiere, Routh will suit up as Kingdom Come Superman for the eagerly-awaited "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event.
To revisit photos from the season four finale, simply click on the VIEW LIST (ONE PAGE) button below!
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416a_0027b.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Charlie and Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/White Canary -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416a_0081b2.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Charlie, Adam Tsekhman as Agent Gary Green and Ramona Young as Mona -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416a_0156b.jpg -- Pictured: Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/White Canary -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416a_0241b.jpg -- Pictured: Nick Zano as Nate Heywood/Steel -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416a_0292br.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/White Canary, Nick Zano as Nate Heywood/Steel and Adam Tsekhman as Agent Gary Green -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416a_0383b.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Tala Ashe as Zari, Jes Macallan as Ava Sharpe, Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/White Canary, Nick Zano as Nate Heywood/Steel and Adam Tsekhman as Agent Gary Green -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416a_0391b.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/White Canary and Nick Zano as Nate Heywood/Steel -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416b_0087b.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Sara Lance/White Canary and Jes Macallan as Ava Sharpe -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416b_0113b.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Ramona Young as Mona and Adam Tsekhman as Agent Gary Green -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416b_0157b.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Nick Zano as Nate Heywood/Steel and Tala Ashe as Zari -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416b_0181b2.jpg -- Pictured: Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/White Canary -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
DC's Legends of Tomorrow -- "Hey World!" -- Image Number: LGN416b_0194b.jpg -- Pictured (L-R): Matt Ryan as Constantine and Dominic Purcell as Mick Rory/Heatwave -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
After defeating the demon Mallus by cuddling him to death with a giant stuffed animal named Beebo, the Legends are ready to ease off the gas. Sara and her team join Ava Sharpe and the Time Bureau to help clean up the last few remaining anachronisms. The job seems straightforward enough until Constantine arrives to inform them that, in solving one major problem, they have created another, much larger one. When the Legends let time crumble in order to release and defeat Mallus, the barrier between worlds softened. History is now infected with "Fugitives" - magical creatures from myths, fairytales, and legends. Having been expelled throughout time by people like Constantine, these Fugitives are now returning to our world in droves and making a real mess of things. As the Time Bureau is distrustful of and ill-equipped to deal with magic, the Legends must team up with everyone's favorite demonologist to set history back on track.
Legends Of Tomorrow features:
Brandon Routh as Dr. Ray Palmer/The Atom
Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/White Canary
Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Charlie
Tala Ashe as Zari Tomaz
Jes Macallan as Ava Sharpe
Courtney Ford as Nora Darhk
Amy Louise Pemberton as Gideon
Ramona Young as Mona Wu
Nick Zano as Dr. Nate Heywood/Commander Steel
Dominic Purcell as Mick Rory/Heat Wave
Matt Ryan as John Constantine
Adam Tsekhman as Gary Green
Legends Of Tomorrow returns with an all-new episode May 20