Arrow's Emily Bett Rickards: 'I Was Sad to Know How Sad Felicity Had Been' 

will reveal “The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak,” as the superhero drama delves into the quippy computer whiz’s complicated past.

TVLine grabbed a few minutes this week with Emily Bett Rickards (right after she had filmed a “draining,” “sad moment” for Felicity, hmm) to preview this long-awaited deep-dive, reflect on the “Olicity” break-up and tease the big

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TVLINE | Who do you think anticipated this episode more, you or your fans?

Oh, me. Me. Yeah. I mean, the fans of the show have been anticipating it more since I’ve filmed it, but I’ve been craving it since Day 1, so I was really, really excited.

TVLINE | It must be a great tool as an actress, to have that extra information to work with.

You get to have that information, but being able to actually

that information and rehearse and act with other people, the other characters… You fall in love with it. That’s the joy of it, and that’s why we “crazy people” do what we do!

TVLINE | What most surprised you about Felicity’s past?

Her deep turmoil. I always thought that she was this light person that was now coming into this world of trouble. I knew that she had heartache in her life, from different areas, but now I respect it more.

Now that I know and have felt it…. I just love her so much, and I was very sad to know how sad she had been.

TVLINE | Felicity previously hadn’t spoken highly of her mother. When Donna (played by

‘s Charlotte Ross) shows up, is there some sort of lingering tension or a grudge between them…?

Not a grudge. She’s quite embarrassed by her mother, because she is this whirlwind opposite of whom Felicity is. Within the episode, getting to see her mother again, she learns how to accept her, and I think that’s very important.

TVLINE | Are there any references to Felicity’s mysterious father during their exchanges?

…. Sort of…? There’s the weight of how that family dynamic would have been, but you guys don’t get any, you know, “Daddy gold.” [

TVLINE | Outside of Felicity, does anybody have a specific reaction to her mother?

Well, she does get introduced to people in Felicity’s present day life, and those people…. Donna presents herself as likeable, which is interesting for Felicity, because she doesn’t think she likes her mother. She

her mother, but she’s like, “Oh god, this is my mother.”

But yeah, there are characters that smile when they meet her.

First Look: Charlotte Ross Debuts as Felicity’s Smoakin’ Mom

TVLINE | What can you tell us about what Nolan Funk (

We get to see him in his college years, and we get to see Felicity in love. We get to see young college love and that whole game.

love. Have you ever been so brunette in your life?

been a brunette! I went to an acting school for four months and I had very, very dark air. My mom’s natural hair color is black, but she’s sort of a blonde-y redhead now so… no one believes me!

TVLINE | I have to say, there’s a certain something about the brunette….

from this episode, Felicity looks very distraught, Ray Palmer is nearby…. Will there be some bonding? Will they share a real moment, finally?

That’s going to be expected to come, and yes, he’s going to be sort of a transparency in her life, perhaps be her polygraph, as she is for everybody else, which I find very refreshing for her.

TVLINE | In your mind, why did Felicity go to Central City last week?

You know what, I think that time and space was needed, from Starling City, from Oliver, from all this “stuff.”

TVLINE | But was she also looking to suss out the Barry situation?

That was definitely part of it, but I don’t believe that she would have gone if things hadn’t reached this point in Starling City. The death of Sara, the drama with Oliver…. Even just having a break to go somewhere with more daylight! [

TVLINE | Speaking of Oliver, in the season premiere you had that terrific “break-up” scene with Stephen

That was one of the best moments. As an actor, you’re just like, “

. This is what I live for. This destruction, this release.” It’s therapeutic in a way. I really like working with those scenes where you get to take moments, because we work fast all the time. Having the chance to take a moment in a scene is very appreciated by me as an actor.

crossover event [airing as each series\' Episode 8]?

The shows are sort of sharing a villain, so we are trying to track down someone that leads us to both cities, and both teams have to work together. There is danger, and there are new dynamics. I mean, Felicity gets to work with Caitlin, which is always very, very fun. Two women of that intelligence caliber working in what’s still a “man’s world” is very satisfying as an actor, and as a friend [of Danielle Panabaker].

, or for any other show? Email insideline@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.

Thanks very much for this cool interview, Matt! Really appreciate it. I love how Emily talks about Felicity and how excited and protective she is of her. Very excited for “The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak” tonight. BTW, got anything else on that “draining” moment? What ep are they shooting now? ;)

They just started episode 11 — so yeah, happy times have yet to come from the sounds of it. Grrrr LOL

Thank you for this Matt! I love her interviews, she has some smart answers and really seems to know her character and the general direction of her path. Seems like she’s a fun interview—do more with her! LOL

Yay thanks for this interview! I’ve been waiting for it because I’ve been looking forward to learning more about Felicity ever since we met her and she was just a guest star. What EBR has done with this character is nothing short of incredible and I just love Felicity so much. I root for her always.

So excited about this Felicity Smoak episode. Can’t even put it into words but tonight can’t come fast enough. Love that we’re finally learning more about Felicity, exploring her family, and seeing where she comes from. I’m thrilled that Emily Rickards is getting to talk. Haven’t seen her in interviews or at conventions or anything in too long. And still rooting for her and Oliver to get together. They’re still the romance I want on Arrow.

I have no interest in watching a romance with Ray, seriously, I’m here for Oliver and Felicity and the more they mess around with that, the more annoying it becomes. Now that I got that rant out of the way, I can’t wait for this episode! First episode since the premier that I’m actually excited about. This season has been pretty basic so far. Hope it improves.

This episode is finally here! I can’t wait to see what bits & pieces of her life we get to see. This should only be the beginning. It’s incredibly frustrating to see the state of Arrow at the moment and to be deprived of this long awaited back-story. Felicity Smoak has been such a vital presence on Arrow for the past two years, I can’t help but question where the show’s priorities have been. I’ll include Diggle in here as well. These two characters are the most beloved and yet the most frequently denied proper time given to their character arcs. If this doesn’t change soon and more respect given to the Oliver/Diggle/Felicity arcs that I watch for, I’m afraid there are far too many options out there to continue with Arrow.

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