In the expansive universe of The CW’s Arrow, some characters had fans rooting for more, while others become points of contention. Amidst a roster of vigilantes, allies, and villains, one character took an unexpected path from a planned one-off appearance to becoming a staple of the show.
Despite her growing significance, this character would also become one of the most divisive figures in Arrow, sparking impassioned reactions across the fan base. The question remains: how did a role initially intended for two scenes become one of Arrow‘s most extended and, for some, most disliked?
The Role That Almost Wasn’t: Felicity Smoak’s Start on Arrow
Felicity Smoak, the quirky tech genius turned emotional linchpin of Team Arrow, was never meant to stay. Originally envisioned as a two-scene character, her future was anything but certain.
Actress Emily Bett Rickards, who portrayed Felicity, was brought on for a single episode, with her role limited to a brief encounter with Oliver Queen played by Stephen Amell (via Refinery 29). Reflecting on her unexpected journey with the show, Rickards recalled:
As time goes on, I’ve heard many stories, but as far as I knew, I was being signed for two scenes — one day of acting. And I was freaking out because it was so exciting.
In those initial scenes, Felicity was far from the character she would become. Rickards explained how her chemistry with Amell was instrumental in transforming Felicity from a fleeting character into a recurring one.
Why Felicity Smoak Became a Long-Term Character Despite Fan Backlash
Despite Rickards’ earnest performance and Felicity’s expanded role, many fans were not pleased. Over time, her character went from a humorous, supportive sidekick to Oliver Queen’s primary love interest and one of Arrow’s central figures.
This progression led to polarized reactions, as for some, Felicity’s transformation signaled a shift away from the show’s gritty, action-oriented roots, and her role in the Oliver Queen romance storyline proved divisive.
Yet, the decision to keep Felicity around was not solely driven by chemistry or executive whim. Positive feedback from early media screenings and inquiries from critics helped cement her as a permanent fixture.
When they showed the episode to journalists for the first look, everyone was sort of asking who Felicity was, and that sort of sparked some interest.
Ultimately, Felicity’s evolution from a single-episode character to a main cast member was a testament to the unpredictable nature of television, where viewer response can steer a character’s trajectory in unexpected ways.
You can watch Arrow on Netflix.
