In a twist that has left Arrowverse fans disheartened, the much-anticipated continuation spin-off, ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries,’ will not make its way to the small screen. Following its eight-season run, the CW’s hit series ‘Arrow’ bid farewell last January, leaving fans eager for the proposed new chapter. Produced by Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros Television, the spin-off garnered buzz at the TCA last fall, courtesy of CW head honcho Mark Pedowitz.
The spin-off was poised to usher in a fresh era of Team Arrow, set in the not-so-distant future. It boasted a cast led by Katherine McNamara, reprising her role as Mia Smoke, the new Green Arrow and daughter of the original emerald-clad hero, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell). Joining her were fellow Arrowverse veterans Katie Cassidy, who portrayed Earth 2’s Black Canary, and Juliana Harkavy, returning as Dinah Drake, the latest Black Canary.
The news of the spin-off’s inception brought joy to fans, especially following the excitement surrounding its backdoor pilot during Arrow’s final season. Penned by Arrow creators Beth Schwartz, Marc Guggenheim, Jill Blankenship, and Oscar Balderrama, and with Berlanti’s guidance as a producer, the series aimed to chronicle The Canaries’ mission to rescue the future Star City while preserving the fabric of time itself. This spin-off also promised to address lingering questions from its predecessor. However, the show’s cancellation has left many of these queries unanswered.
The female-led endeavor was primed to carry on its predecessor’s legacy, which paved the way for the entire Arrowverse on CW. Now, the mantle of that legacy rests with other Arrowverse standouts such as ‘The Flash,’ ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Batwoman,’ and the upcoming ‘Superman & Lois.’ ‘Black Lightning,’ another beloved Arrowverse series, will bow out with its final season, and whispers hint at a potential spin-off focusing on the character Painkiller (Jordan Calloway).
Signs that ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’ faced headwinds surfaced late last year when no significant updates followed the initial announcement. While the network refrained from citing reasons for its decision, the ongoing pandemic might have played a part, much like in the case of various other productions. As fans eagerly anticipate the new seasons of remaining Arrowverse shows, including ‘Batwoman,’ which premieres its second season on January 17, the void left by ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’ will undoubtedly linger in the hearts of fans.