Emily Bett Rickards will not stick around for the final season of ‘Arrow’ announcing her exit from the show just recently…
‘Arrow’ is coming to an end with a shortened season 8 debuting later this year but Emily Bett Rickards will not be there for the finale.
Rickards, who portrays Oliver Queen’s wife and long time right hand Felicity Smoak, announced that she would be leaving ‘Arrow’ before the eighth and final season begins filming later this year.
“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 makes me out of breath. To have this not small chat. Felicity and I are a very tight two but after one through seven we will be saying goodbye to you
“I 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 you. Love, Felicity and me.”
The heartfelt goodbye was echoed by ‘Arrow’ star Stephen Amell, who penned a farewell to Rickards ahead of the final season.
“For me… August 3rd, 2012 is the most important day in the history of our show,” Amell wrote. “It was the first day I worked with Emily. Her energy and the vibrancy she gave to Felicity Smoak is only surpassed by what she personally gave to me. She was a co-worker that became a best friend. So on the first day of our last episode together, I’d like everyone to know how deeply I appreciate the past seven years. EmBett… We wouldn’t be here without you. I love you. And I cannot wait to see what you do next.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuTy5SgUQ6/
Rickards’ exit will be addressed by the end of season 7, which is still ongoing currently on the CW but there’s no word yet if there’s any chance she could return for the series finale.
