While we wait for Arrow‘s eighth and final season and ponder how different of a direction it may take, one thing’s for certain: we won’t be seeing Felicity Smoak. Having said her goodbye a couple weeks ago during “You Have Saved This City,” longtime fans of the series sure did have a difficult time adjusting to this change in status quo.
But with the series finale arriving before we know it, one would think it wouldn’t be insane to assume Emily Bett Rickards will come back for at least one more appearance. Then again, she might not, having said the following to Collider when asked if she thinks any sort of return is on the cards:
“I feel like Felicity has done her time. I don’t know if anybody is going to like what I’m saying, but I feel like Felicity has done her time. We knew this was coming for awhile – for over a year – so the whole thing is exactly what we wanted to happen. I trust the writers, and that’s in their hands.”
Considering how Felicity’s arc seemed neatly tied up in a bow during season 7’s finale, it may make little sense for her to return beyond that. At this point, shoehorning her into the series finale would essentially feel like doing so for the sake of it, so maybe it’s for the best the character be left alone going forward.
Regardless, CW President Mark Pedowitz remains open to the possibility:
“Emily was terrific in the show and we believe that Beth Schwartz did a great job wrapping up the storyline last year. If Beth can find a way to bring her back that makes sense and Emily is available, we’d love to have her. Otherwise, I’m pleased with the way they said goodbye to the character.”
Arrow returns with new episodes on Tuesday nights this fall on The CW.