Arrow is losing a core cast member as it heads into its final season. Emily Bett Rickards, who has played Felicity Smoak since the show’s first season in 2012, is exiting the series ahead of season eight.
Rickards herself announced her exit in a post on Instagram. “Felicity and I are a very tight two, but after one through seven, we will be saying goodbye to you”, the post reads.
“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.”
Arrow Executive Producers Greg Berlanti and Beth Schwartz issued the following statement: “We’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily since season one and in those past seven years she has brought one of TV’s most beloved characters to life”, they said. “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’.”
