Dubbed by fans as the Arrowverse, the CW line up of DC shows has already wowed fans with numerous series crossovers between their current hits Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, but next season is going to get even better.
(This article contains spoilers for the CW DC universe)
After a lackluster run on the CW’s sister network CBS, and a significant ratings jump during its crossover episode with The Flash, it seemed a no-brainer that Supergirl would find a new home among “the attractive yet non-threatening, racially diverse casts” that call CW home.
CW initially turned down the show based on the cost of the special effects necessary, and they weren’t sure about adding yet another DC show to their lineup. They changed their tune though, and will now take it even a step further by introducing Kara Danver’s (Melissa Benoist) well-known cousin, Superman. Tyler Hoechlin, who recently left Teen Wolf, has been cast to play the caped crusader.
DC royalty, Lynda Carter, most known for her iconic turn as Wonder Woman in the late 70’s, will join the cast for a three-episode run as the leader of the free world and President of the United States. The lasso of truth would sure come in handy in that line of work. Supergirl returns October 10th, Mondays on the CW.
In other casting news, former death eater Tom Felton will join the cast of The Flash. While his track record shows he is very good at being bad, there is no telling if his character, Julian Dorn, a Central City CSI who senses Barry (Grant Gustin) is…up to something, will be friend or foe. Either way, fanboys and girls alike are eager to see more of Felton.
Geek icon Kevin Smith will also return to the CW, this time to direct episode seven of season three of The Flash. The season title Flashpoint makes reference to a rather epic comic story arc, Flashpoint Paradox, in which the Justice League was never formed and The Flash must team-up with Batman and Cyborg to restore the proper timeline. Since Barry totally screwed the timeline at the end of season two, The Flash series will likely look very different going into season three.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, is no stranger to time jumping, and with its season two return comes the promise of major cross-overs with at least two of the other Arrowverse shows.
The shocking demise of Wentworth Miller’s Captain Cold tugged heart-strings in last season’s finale, but Arrowverse executive producer Greg Berlanti has said that Snart was never meant to be a permanent fixture on the show, and will likely still make appearances around the Arrowverse. Miller is currently reprising his role as Michael Scofield in the fan favorite Prison Break.
Miller’s departure opens another door for the wayward DC character Constantine. The rumor mill has been abuzz with every possible way to bring the character back to the screen after the slightly darker DC show was dropped by NBC.
While it would be fun to see Constantine join the Legends, or see him again lend a bit of magic to Arrowverse forefather Arrow , which has seen a decline in viewership the last three seasons, they might have something even better planned. The CW recently posted the full 13 episode run up on their streaming site, CW Seed, in what seems to be an effort to gauge fan interest. Putting the show on their own site allows them to keep track of just how popular Constantine really is, though fans may well have a chance to binge-watch via Netflix sometime very soon.
The CW and Netflix recently signed a multi-year output agreement which will not only allow viewers to catch all of their favorite CW shows online, but will add the shows to the Netflix lineup at speeds that would make The Flash proud. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said;
“Netflix members in the U.S. love the great lineup of series from the CW, and we are thrilled to extend the relationship and bring those shows to our members exclusively now, just eight days after their season finales. This is a great step forward with a valued network partner to give fans exactly what they want, when and how they want it.”
CW president Mark Pedowitz made note of the fact that the CW has seen success thanks to their relationship with Netflix,
“Since the initial landmark deal in 2011, the CW’s programming has enjoyed tremendous success and increased exposure through Netflix, and our new agreement not only continues but enhances this valuable relationship, The CW has positioned itself for the future by transforming into a true hybrid network, rooted in broadcast while fully embracing the digital and streaming habits of the viewers.”
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Images: NBC, MTV, The CW, CBS, Warner Bros.
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