The Evolution of CW's Superheroes: From 'Arrow' to 'Gotham Knights' - A Comprehensive Guide
Explore the thrilling CW universe of superheroes, from the iconic 'Arrow' and 'The Flash' to newer additions like 'Batwoman' and 'Superman & Lois' Discover a vast array of crime-fighting champions and their incredible adventures in this comprehensive guide
The CW is renowned for its extensive range of shows based on different DC comics, including Arrow, The Flash, and Gotham Knights.
In 2012, the network first launched its superhero lineup with the introduction of Arrow. Stephen Amell took on the role of Oliver Queen, who eventually transformed into the iconic Green Arrow. After portraying Oliver for almost ten years, Amell decided to leave the bow and arrow behind and venture into Starz's wrestling drama, Heels.
"I was initially unsure and had no specific expectations," revealed the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles actor in an exclusive interview with We Magazine in August 2021. "After Arrow, I hadn't even considered my next step. However, they approached me and my manager praised the exceptional quality of the scripts."
In the meantime, Grant Gustin, after eight years of portraying Barry Allen on The Flash, shared a heartfelt tribute reflecting on his experience.
On Saturday, I bid farewell to The Flash and the Flash family. It was a truly remarkable day, filled with moments that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. My family had the opportunity to witness my final scene as The Flash, a moment that seemed unimaginable when I embarked on this journey almost a decade ago.
In March 2023, I expressed my gratitude via Instagram, acknowledging the significance of this milestone. I had the chance to personally thank the hardworking crew, who dedicated countless hours to making our show a reality. Their unwavering commitment enabled us to create a remarkable 184 episodes of The Flash. Beyond our professional collaborations, I will deeply miss the light-hearted conversations and laughter we shared in between takes, and sometimes even during takes. Despite the challenges I faced along this journey, it is undeniable that I found joy and laughter every single day during my nine-plus years of work. This experience has allowed me to make mistakes and grow as an individual.
For a comprehensive breakdown of every superhero show on The CW, continue scrolling.
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A Guide to All of The CW's Superheroes Through the Years: From 'Arrow' to 'Gotham Knights'
From Arrow to The Flash to Gotham Knights, The CW is known for its prolific selection of shows based on various DC comics.
The network initially launched its superhero lineup with the introduction of Arrow in 2012. Stephen Amell took on the role of Oliver Queen, who eventually transformed into the Green Arrow. After portraying Oliver for nearly a decade, Amell decided to step away from the bow and arrow and take on the lead role in Starz's wrestling drama, Heels.
"I had some reservations at first. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind. To be honest, I wasn't actively seeking anything," revealed the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles actor in an exclusive interview with We in August 2021. "I hadn't even considered my next career move after Arrow. But then they came looking for me. They sought me out, and when my manager read the scripts, he was really impressed."
Two years later, Grant Gustin looked back on his eight-year stint as Barry Allen on The Flash in a heartfelt tribute. Reflecting on his farewell to The Flash and his Flash family, Gustin expressed gratitude for the special day and the moments that will be cherished forever. Seeing his last shot as The Flash alongside his family was an unimaginable experience, considering where the journey started almost a decade ago. Gustin took the opportunity to express his thanks to the hardworking crew, who tirelessly put in long hours and made it possible to produce 184 episodes of The Flash. Beyond anything else, he will miss the enjoyable chats and laughter with the crew during breaks, and sometimes even during filming. Despite the challenges, Gustin emphasized that he found joy and laughter on set every single day throughout the nine-plus years, acknowledging his mistakes and personal growth along the way.
Scroll on for a breakdown of every superhero show on The CW:
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'Arrow'
Amell was introduced as Oliver Queen in 2012, based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow. The CW series, which aired until 2020, featured a talented cast including Katie Cassidy, Colin Donnell, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Paul Blackthorne, Emily Bett Rickards, and Colton Haynes. Arrow's onscreen success led to the creation of spinoffs such as The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and a backdoor pilot for Green Arrow & The Canaries.
Credit: The CW
'The Flash'
After making several cameos on Arrow, Gustin landed his own show centered around his character Barry Allen. The Flash, which ran from 2016 to 2023, introduced Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Tom Cavanagh, Jesse L. Martin, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Jessica Parker Kennedy to the audience.
Credit: Bettina Strauss/The CW
'Legends of Tomorrow'
Legends of Tomorrow, a spinoff series from Arrow and The Flash, has expanded the superhero realm on The CW. Since its premiere in 2016, the show has delved into time travel and featured Caity Lotz as the White Canary.
Victor Garber, Brandon Routh, Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Nick Zano, Matt Ryan, and other celebrities made appearances on Legends of Tomorrow until it was cancelled in 2022.
Credit: Katie Yu/The CW
'Supergirl'
Melissa Benoist made her debut as Supergirl in a CBS series that first aired in 2015. However, the show was later shifted to The CW after the first season, resulting in the departure of cast members Calista Flockhart and Jenna Dewan.
Throughout its run until 2021, Supergirl delved into the stories of significant characters portrayed by Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, Jeremy Jordan, David Harewood, Chris Wood, Floriana Lima, Katie McGrath, Odette Annable, Jesse Rath, and Nicole Maines.
Credit: Guy D'Alema/The CW
'Black Lightning'
Cress Williams made his debut as Jefferson Pierce in 2018 when Black Lightning premiered on The CW, introducing viewers to the character. Following three successful seasons, Black Lightning joined forces with other superheroes on the network, making an appearance in the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event.
Black Lightning, a television series that concluded airing on The CW in 2021, starred China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, and Marvin "Krondon" Jones III in prominent roles.
Before its cancellation, Black Lightning had the opportunity for a spinoff centered around Jordan Calloway, titled Painkiller. However, it was ultimately rejected.
Credit: The CW
'Batwoman'
Batwoman, a superhero series, saw Ruby Rose portray Kate Kane in 2019. Following the first season's conclusion, Rose left the show, and Javicia Leslie was chosen to embody the new protagonist, Ryan Wilder.
Throughout the course of the seasons, Leslie was accompanied by Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Nicole Kang, and Camrus Johnson. However, despite its three-season run, Batwoman faced cancellation from The CW in 2022.
Credit: The CW
'Stargirl'
Brec Bassinger portrayed the character of Stargirl in the 2020 premiere of the show, which was based on the DC Comics superhero Courtney Whitmore. Alongside her, the series featured Yvette Monreal, Anjelika Washington, Cameron Gellman, Jake Austin Walker, Amy Smart, Luke Wilson, and Joel McHale. However, the show unfortunately came to an end in 2022.
Credit: Nino Muñoz/The CW
'Superman & Lois'
Tyler Hoechlin first appeared as Clark Kent in an episode of Supergirl before landing his own series centered around Earth's most powerful hero and his family. Titled Superman & Lois, the show premiered in 2021 and is not connected to the Arrowverse. The cast includes Elizabeth Tulloch, Jordan Elsass, Alex Garfin, Erik Valdez, Inde Navarrette, Wolé Parks, Adam Rayner, and Dylan Walsh.
After Elsass left before season 3, Jonathan's character was reimagined with Michael Bishop taking over the role. The show experienced further changes, such as significant budget reductions, following The CW's acquisition by Nexstar. The number of employed writers was decreased, and only four out of the 12 series regulars returned for the fourth and final season.
Credit: Youtube
'Naomi'
The year 2022 witnessed the embodiment of Naomi McDuffie by Kaci Walfall in the short-lived CW series, captivating the hearts of comic book enthusiasts. The show featured a talented cast including Cranston Johnson, Alexander Wraith, Mary-Charles Jones, Mouzam Makkar, Daniel Puig, and Camila Moreno. Unfortunately, the series met its untimely end and was canceled after just one season.
Credit: Amanda Mazonkey/The CW
'Gotham Knights'
The upcoming series, Gotham Knights, will center around the character of Oscar Morgan, who is Bruce Wayne's adopted son. Taking place after the tragic event of Bruce Wayne's death, the series will delve into the aftermath of this loss. Joining the cast alongside Oscar Morgan are Fallon Smythe, Tyler DiChiara, Olivia Rose Keegan, Navia Robinson, and Misha Collins. This highly anticipated series is scheduled to premiere in March 2023.
