The CW’s long-running DC series Arrow will end after an abbreviated eighth season, Stephen Amell and crew have announced.
The surprising news was made via Amell’s Twitter account and a statement from the series’ executive producers. The final season of Arrow will have 10 episodes.
“This was a difficult decision to come to, but like every hard decision we’ve made for the past seven years, it was with the best interests of Arrow in mind,” said executive producers Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Beth Schwartz. “We’re heartened by the fact that Arrow has birthed an entire universe of shows that will continue on for many years to come. We’re excited about crafting a conclusion that honors the show, its characters and its legacy and are grateful to all the writers, producers, actors, and — more importantly — the incredible crew that has sustained us and the show for over seven years.”
Said Amell on Twitter:
Playing Oliver Queen has been the greatest professional experience of my life… but you can’t be a vigilante forever.
Arrow will return for a final run of 10 episodes this Fall.
There’s so much to say… for now I just want to say thank you.
— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) March 6, 2019
Arrow was the start of The CW’s current DC-universe slate, which went on to add The Flash, Black Lightning, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow. The network is now preparing to introduce Batwoman, starring Ruby Rose.
The end of Arrow marks the beginning of a new phase for DC at The CW. “Things will age and we want to get the next generation of shows to keep The CW DC universe going for as long as possible,” CW president Mark Pedowitz said to journalists last month.
Arrow’s seventh season is currently airing. The shortened season 8 will air in the 2019 – 2020 TV season.