"Arrow" season 3 is expected to have its official premiere this October with showrunner Marc Guggenheim speaking about the changes that fans can expect from the third season of The CW series.
In an interview with Comic Book Resources, Guggenheim explained that the upcoming season is likely to put forward an identity crisis experienced by Oliver Queen, as portrayed by Stephen Amell, as he struggles to be both his real life persona and his alter-ego, Arrow.
"Who is he? Is he Oliver Queen, is he the Arrow? Is he both? Can he be both?" Guggenhiem prompted. "That's the log line. ... It's a different kind of torture. Like David [Ramsey] was saying, everything starts off really great."
The TV writer-producer further opened up about how the show's main star will become happier and more focused, although there will be more complex situations for him to address.
"As I was writing my scenes for the premiere, I was typing 'Oliver smiles' a whole lot more than I ever have in three years!" Guggenheim said. "Things are really good, but things get complicated and they get dark, but they're dark in a different way,"
He continued on to assure fans that Oliver will make it through the tough times. "I don't know if he's a brooding guy in season three, but he's definitely very, very focused," Guggenheim explained. "I think the season premiere is about many things, but one of the things it's about – Oliver really regains his focus."
Meanwhile, "Arrow" season 3 executive producer Greg Berlanti revealed that Ra's al Ghul will not be appearing until the fourth episode, and that fans will get to see one of the show's main villains and Oliver somehow battling it out, as reported by Air Herald. Oliver and Felicity, played by Emily Bett Rickards, may also get more comfy with each other as they enter a relationship for a short while during the third season.
Thea, who is portrayed by "Gossip Girl" alum Willa Holland, is expected to have a new romantic flame. A charming DJ named Chase, played by former "The Carrie Diaries" actor Austin Butler, will develop a close working relationship with Thea that quickly turns into a love affair.
Butler has been the latest actor to be added into the cast alongside Matt Nable as Ra's al Ghul, Brandon Routh as the Atom/Ray Palmer, J.R. Ramirez as Wildcat/Ted Grant, Charlotte Ross as Felicity's mother, Karl Yune as Maseo, Rila Fukushima as Katana, Peter Stormare as the new Count Vertigo, Nolan Funk as Felicity's ex-beau from college, and David Cubitt as Manhunter/Mark Shaw.
"Arrow" season 3 has been set to premiere Oct. 8 on The CW.
Watch the trailer for season 3 here:
