The Arrowverse has been a strong staple of The CW for the last decade since it launched Arrow back in 2012. Over that time, we have seen several shows in this connected universe come and go, including The Flash, Supergirl, Black Lightning, Stargirl, and Superman & Lois. Also included in this universe are two shows that have just been announced to be canceled — Batwoman and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
A LEGENDARY END
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow was one of the veteran series of the Arrowverse, having just finished its seventh season. There were even casting announcements made that would impact the next season, including Donald Faison as Booster Gold (who showed up in the season 7 finale), so this cancellation came as a surprise to many of us long-time fans of the show.
Co-showrunner Phil Klemmer even recently told EW that he had big plans for a potential eighth season.
I can’t say too much about them just because I haven’t pitched the studio and network. f I think about the themes of next season, I mean, the Legends have been arrested and they’re going to be forced to rehabilitate themselves, but I think we all know that they make mistakes, but they’re doing nothing wrong. In 20 years, most of our jobs will be challenged by AI, and so [season 7] was us trying to come up with a reason for, what do humans do that machines can’t? I don’t know, maybe next season we’ll take on capitalism.
Co-showrunner and executive producer Keto Shimizu tweeted the news Friday evening.
Well, folks. It’s been an incredible run. However, the CW has let us know that there will be no season 8 of #LegendsOfTomorrow. We are heartbroken, but also immensely grateful for the amazing work our cast, crew, and writers have contributed to the little show that could.
Shimizu went on to thank the fans for their “love and passion for our strange band of misfits,” and ended the message on a positive note: “You’ll always have a place on the Waverider.”
The Legends of Tomorrow writers’ room also mourned the show on Twitter.
This has been the journey of a lifetime for all of us, the little show that wasn’t supposed to be, grew into the show that could be anything it wanted. We went to Camelot, Salvation, Hollywood, and even Inside A Computer’s Mind but of course, the real destination was always home: the place where your family are friends and your friends are family. We will desperately miss creating this show, but most of all we will miss getting to make it together and sharing it with you. Legends Never Die!
A DARK KNIGHT FALLS
Batwoman, in its three years on the air, has had quite a tumultuous run, losing the lead star after season one and having to bring in someone new, as well as making her a whole new character, and hoping fans accepted it. I will, however, say that Batwoman took some big swings in storytelling, bringing in several major Batman villains in season 3, and even reimagining several of them with different characters.
The Batwoman showrunner, Caroline Dries, announced on Twitter that the DC superhero show would not be returning for a new season, writing:
Just got the sad news that #Batwoman will not be seeing an S4. I am bummed, but full of gratitude. So many inspiring, brilliant people contributed to this series. Thank you, producers, cast, and crew. Thank you, fans! We love you.
These are not the first Arrowverse series to be canceled in recent years, as the flagship series, Arrow, ended after 8 seasons, Supergirl ended after 6 seasons, and Black Lightning ended after 4 seasons. There are also rumors that The Flash may be ending after the next season, but there hasn’t been any confirmation on that yet.
Stay tuned to DC Comics News for more breaking coverage about the status of the Arrowverse and more!
