Beth Swartz starts Season 7 of Arrow as the lone showrunner.
Season 7 of Arrow brings quite a bit of change to its leadership roles. After receiving word that The CW DC/Berlanti shows have been renewed early, a shake-up occurred so that the Fall will bring new people leading Arrow into its new season.
Wendy Mericle, who has been with Arrow since the pilot and a co-showrunner since Season 4, decided to depart Arrow after they wrap on Season 6. Marc Guggenheim, a co-creator of Arrow and co-showrunner all six seasons, decided to step down from his leadership role. This is not just from Arrow, but D.C.’s Legends of Tomorrow as well. He is not completely leaving as his new title will comprise of Executive Consultant. That means that Phil Klemmer will become the lone showrunner for LOT instead of sharing the role. Todd Helbing will continue as the showrunner for The Flash, while Salim Akil will still lead Black Lightning and Robert Rovner and Jessica Queller stay on at Supergirl.
Beth Schwartz started her career as a production staffer on JJ Abrams’ ABC dramedy What About Brian. She began her career with Greg Berlanti in 2002 when she became his assistant on Everwood. That led Schwartz to the opportunity of writing two episodes of Berlanti’s ABC series Brothers & Sisters.
When Berlanti, Guggenheim, and Kriesburg started Arrow, Schwartz moved over to writer’s assistant on the show. She rose through the ranks quickly making Executive Story Editor by Season 3. By the start of Season 4, she was a co-producer. As of Season 7, she begins as the lone showrunner.
Many Arrow fans will recognize some of the more memorable stories she wrote for Arrow over the years. The list includes, but is not limited to, Dodger, Unchained, Canary Cry, Underneath and The Thantos Guild.
What do you think the big changes that have come to Arrow recently? How do you think it will affect the next season? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Deadline.com – “‘Arrow’: Beth Schwartz Named New Showrunner, Wendy Mericle Exits, Marc Guggenheim To Be Consultant On 2 Shows”
Photo Credit: WBTV