The TV Chick

Arrow premieres tonight on the CW and it is one of the best new dramas of the season. I am not generally a fan of the superhero genre on television, but Arrow is about Oliver Queen and his journey. He just so happens to have an alter ego, The Green Arrow. Stephen Amell is fantastic in this iconic role, and Katie Cassidy (who plays Laurel Lance) is equally as wonderful. The show is genre television at its best, with unexpected twists and enough shades of the DC comic book universe and washboard abs to satisfy a wide audience. Seriously, don’t miss it. I know that CW can turn off people sometimes, but this is such a great, dark drama, that the network it’s airing on (don’t get me wrong, the CW is MY jam) should not keep you from watching. I recently had the chance to chat with Amell at CW Upfronts and Comic Con, about his new iconic character, intense physical training and the “action-packed” premiere.

The script was fantastic. What did you love most about it?
That it was real. I think it’s always really fun when you see characters struggle and deal with real life issues. Especially on our show because they’re people. They don’t have superpowers.

What do you think the challenges of playing such an iconic character?
Doing a good job. I think that expectations are the best sort of thing. Because if people are passionate, and if you do a good job, people will be loyal for a long time.

Were you a big fan of comic books growing up?
Yeah. I read Lobo and Spawn and Superman. I’ve sort of rediscovered them since then. I met Geoff Johns from DC Comics and Andrew Kreisberg has written for Green Arrow, who is the writer and Executive Producer of our show and he’s great.

Are we going to see other elements of the DC superhero universe pop up?
I hope so. Stay tuned.

Watch the video below for more!

Arrow premieres tonight at 8 PM on the CW.