Arrow star Emily Bett Rickards reveals her one special condition on reprising her iconic role 

Emily Bett Rickards, most famous for her portrayal of Felicity Smoak in Arrow, has spilled the one scenario under which she would bring back her beloved character. In a visit to Michael Rosenbaum's Inside of You podcast, Rickards described how her comeback would be prompted by a wish to provide Felicity with a greater conclusion.

Though the fans of the Arrowverse may wish for her return, Rickards made it clear that her choice wouldn't be motivated by fan pressure or nostalgia but by a desire to do justice to Felicity's narrative. She said,

"I want to give Felicity her flowers," reiterating that her return would focus on those things she wanted to explore in the character that she felt were left behind during the show's initial run.

Rickards' exit from Arrow after seven years was also fueled by discontentment with the way Felicity's storyline went. While she came back for the season finale, her departure left everyone speculating as to when they would see her back playing the role.

Currently, Rickards has revealed that she is willing to come back but under certain conditions, with a concentration on providing Felicity with a more deserving finale.

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Felicity Smoak's journey in Arrow

Felicity Smoak was also introduced in Arrow as a tech whiz and snappy character who soon became the focus of the show's story. Played by Emily Bett Rickards, she progressed from a supporting character to one of the lead characters and Oliver Queen's love interest. Oliver and Felicity's relationship, colloquially known as "Olicity," became the focal point of the show's emotional foundation.

Rickards acted out Felicity for seven seasons before departing the show before its last season. Her exit was sudden, though she did reappear in the series finale of 2020, where Felicity was reunited with Oliver in a "paradise dimension."

Although this conclusion satisfied the audience, Rickards has gone on to comment negatively on certain elements of Felicity's characterization in subsequent seasons. According to her comments on Rosenbaum's podcast, she felt that Felicity "got a little lost" and wished she could have influenced how the character stood up for herself more.

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Rickards’ condition for reprising Felicity

Emily Bett Rickards has made it clear that her willingness to return as Felicity Smoak hinges on one condition: giving the character a better ending. Speaking on Rosenbaum's podcast, she stated that her motivation would not be tied to fan expectations or even Arrow itself but solely to doing justice to Felicity’s story. She explained,

"I’m not doing it for Arrow or really the fans. I’d be doing it for Felicity."

Rickards discussed that some things about Felicity's personality she wanted had developed later in the run of the series. She asserted she wanted to highlight what she felt was omitted and give more empowering closure for the character.

Her statements are an indication of what any conceivable comeback would attempt, which would be going back to develop Felicity's story and flesh out the underdeveloped aspects.

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The legacy of Arrow and its cast

Rickards is not singular in being critical of how Arrow wrapped up some of the character arcs. Katie Cassidy, who portrayed Laurel Lance/Black Canary on the show, also expressed earlier frustrations regarding how her character was written out of the show during Season 4 only to be brought back as an Earth-2 incarnation two seasons later.

Cassidy recalled feeling "angry" and "emotional" over Laurel's first departure but accepted that she later came to terms with how her stint on the series ended. Despite these criticisms, Arrow is still an important piece of DC television history.

The show aired from 2012 to 2020 and was the basis for what came to be called the Arrowverse—a common universe that included several DC superhero series, such as The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow. Although most of the cast has gone on to other endeavors, fans still look for reunions or revivals. Rickards herself has had new prospects after departing from Arrow.

Recent roles include headlining movies such as Queen of the Ring, a biographical drama about professional wrestler Mildred Burke. Oliver Queen/Green Arrow actor Stephen Amell himself has moved into new roles as well, with his Suits LA work. Although both stars are busy in their careers, they are both closely identified with their Arrow characters, leading to rumors about possible comeback returns.

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Emily Bett Rickards' willingness to reprise Felicity Smoak brings a glimmer of hope for Olicity fans wishing for a reunion or more in the Arrowverse.