‘Arrow’: Marc Guggenheim On Why They Kept Roy Harper Alive

Colton Haynes as Roy in ‘Arrow’ (The CW)

There’s no shortage of television shows killing off major characters, but on “Arrow” last week, there was a twist – the show opted to keep Colton Haynes’ Roy Harper alive.

Colton originally signed a two-year deal with the show, and while he’s heading off to the big screen (he’s next up in “San Andreas” alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), the door remains open to Team Arrow.

“There’s a reason why we didn’t kill off Roy,” Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim told reporters at a recent screening of “The Fallen” episode, when Access Hollywood asked about Colton’s exit. “We want Roy Harper and Arsenal to remain in this little universe that we’re creating and Colton was like completely game for that.

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“The relationship is still there and his desire to continue to play the character is still there and those are the two things you need,” Marc added.

While Roy left Starling City after his death was faked, he will actually return to the show once more before Season 3 closes out, in Episode 322. And his return will help tie up loose ends in the Thea/Roy storyline.

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“The thing that we felt we owed the audience more than anything was some closure with Thea,” Marc said, when a reporter asked about Colton’s brief return.

“Certainly, we owed the audience some closure for this kind of like three season long love story between these two characters,” he added.

“Arrow” continues Wednesday at 8/7c on The CW.

Jolie Lash

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