Rickards who plays Felicity Smoak, aka Green Arrow’s wife, will be walking away at the end of Season 7. She posted her good-byes ahead of the season finale on Instagram.
While the series will continue on to a Season 8 (or is it 7.5) for a half a season to finish out on the annual crossover, Emily Bett Rickards has let us know that those last few episodes will not have a much loved, and hated the character. Felicity Smoak has been a contentious character since she was introduced in Season 1. A new round of fans to the character of Green Arrow had found the geeky, tech-queen to be just what the series needed, and what Stephen Amell’s Oliver Queen should have for a partner, both in his personal and vigilante life. However, die-hard, comic fans were disappointed to find that Katie Cassidy’s Laurel Lance was not to keep that role, as her character had for decades in the comics.
But, Arrow was always one to break molds. And thus, Olicity was born. For seasons the on-again/off-again relationship was questioned by fans until it became more of a reality in Season 4, only to have that relationship questioned again by Season 5. Finally, in Season 6, the two were married. But, that was not to say that that was all Felicity Smoak was. No. She became an inspiration for hundreds, if not thousands, of young girls who came to think of her as a role model. One that could be just as geeky and smart and technologically advanced as any man. One who has achieved a lot in her work as both a vigilante and as a businesswoman. And that is the woman that people will miss the most when Emily Bett Rickards exits the show.
It is with these words that she let the fans know that her good-byes were heartfelt and emotional.
The time has come to talk of many memes.
Of bows and arrows and superheroes and
Olicity and Queens
And why TGA is so damn hot
And yes, canaries need more scenes… But
Wait just one minute
Before we go and do all that
For this make me out of breath
To have this not small chatFelicity and I
Are a very tight two
But after one through seven
We will be saying goodbye to youI thank you all for the time we’ve shared
The elevators we have climbed
The monsters we have faced and scared
And The burgers we have dined
I will keep her in my heart for always
And I hope that you can too
Because she would not be alive if it weren’t
For all of youLove,
Felicity and me
Showrunners released a statement shortly after Emily’s message. It read, “We’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily since Season 1 and in those past seven years she has brought one of TV’s most beloved characters to life… And although we’re heartbroken to see both Emily and Felicity leave the show, we’re completely supportive of Emily and her future endeavors. She will always have a family at Arrow.”
How do you feel about the fact that there are only a few episodes left to enjoy having Emily Bett Rickards on Arrow? Will you still be watching Season 8? I, personally, wonder what will happen with the large billboards that are supposed to grace Time Square but together by @GoodbyeOta now that Emily is leaving. What are your thoughts and feelings about this news? Tell me in the comments below.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Source: Instagram and TVLine.com – ‘Emily Bett Rickards Announces Arrow Exit Ahead of Final Season’
