Arrow Season 3: Scoop on Oliver's New Rivals and [Spoiler]'s Love Interest 

has in its sights for Season 3 at least two new pot-stirrers — one of whom will cozy up to a lady in Oliver Queen’s life.

Season 3 Burning Questions Answered: The Next Big Bad, a New Canary and More

TVLine has learned that casting is underway for four new characters, two of whom will figure into Oliver’s next stretch of flashbacks. Review the details below then hit the Comments with your theories on the new baddies (including who

Finale Scene: I Was Like, ‘Oh No, The Fans Are Going to Cry’

‘DANIEL’ | Though Daniel could be a fake name to throw off spoilerholics, this 20something gent — a major recurring character for Season 3 — is a handsome, enigmatic and highly intelligent entrepreneur developing groundbreaking technology. (Picture a business magnate in Ryan Gosling’s body.) Though exuding charm and confidence in public, he privately harbors a tragic past that will drive him to become a tech-powered superhero. Watch for this formidable fella to be a love interest for Felicity and a rival of Oliver’s – both personally

‘SETH’ | A well-educated criminal with grand ambitions and a knack for chemistry, this potentially recurring character gains power over his enemies by exposing them to a drug that drains their willpower. Oh, and he is very much a physical match for The Arrow.

TOSHI | Majorly recurring in (at least) the Hong Kong flashbacks, Toshi will serve as Oliver’s teacher and handler, and eventually become a friend. A well-trained operative, skilled in weaponry, combat and intelligence gathering, he is also a devoted father and husband.

AKIKO | Toshi’s wife is another of Oliver’s Hong Kong caretakers, and is herself highly skilled in martial arts.

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

Hmm… I’ll be tuning in, but a bit pessimistic about this season…

lol that is seriously who first came to mind for me too. There is no way, though.

I cannot wait for this show to come back, I have all the faith in the world in this show… SO GREAT!

Ugh. This show needs less Felicity. Not a love interest for her. Granted it’s not Oliver, but still.

I have to agree I do not care for Laurel. She does not add anything to the program.

I hope that they don’t killed off Laurel Lance but make her a stronger character.

The Laurel Lance hater forget that she is the Black Canary in the DC Comics magazine and she is very popular with the DC fan. The writer need to improve her character and allow her become the Black Canary that the fan love.

Can she go to Central City with Dinah Lance then? After two seasons, she’s really not working on this show.

The current Black Canary in the DC comics line is Dinah Lance, neé Drake, who is Dinah Laurel Lance’s mother. Dinah Laurel Lance doesn’t exist in the current timeline.

Totally agree- Laurel needs to be gone! Like Felicity character so disagree with you Felicity haters!

The writer need to improve both Laurel Lance and Felicity next season so that the fan will learn to love both character.

Absolutely agree there. i was so disappointed that Sara left while Laurel stayed. What a bummer

I hope that Sara will return in season 3. She was perfect as the Black Canary.

Funny, Felicity is what brings this show the balance that it needs. It’s her turn to get a full background story and a life outside the Arrow Cave.

Felicity really adds to the show.I think she an Arrow should get together.

I feel that the writer should tell more about Felicity’s background in future episode. Good luck to the future.

All Felicity adds to the show is human plot spackle. Frankly this show would be a lot more interesting if every problem couldn’t be solved with Felicity clicking a few buttons. I liked Arrow a lot better when he had to work for it.

I can’t wait to see how the Hong Kong location will become important of the Arrow series. I can’t wait who is the mysterious Daniel will be and how he will turn Oliver life up side down.

I absolutely love Felicity! Wish she and Oliver would get together! She adds some humor to the show that counteracts Laurel’s drama, I understand that she was devastated at Oliver’s and her sister’s betrayal, but it still doesn’t make me like her.

Felicity belongs on this show. I find her to be a refreshing character that lends vulnerability to the show. I do wish that she and Ollie would become a couple, but I guess it’s not in the cards, however, I still love having her on the show. And I love the fact that she is the gadget guru, lots of fun!

Less Felicity equals less likeable Oliver and a hero who wouldn’t have been able to defeat Deathstroke- no thank you.

If you’re saying that Oliver is only likable when Felicity is around than you’re also saying this show is deeply flawed and has an unappealing lead actor who can’t even anchor his own show without a love interest so maybe you’re not much of an Arrow fan then.

I thought this exactly until Felicty was integrated into Team Arrow and finally I could see a sparkle in Stephen Amell’s acting that was sorely lacking for me, for the first half of season one.

The show improved greatly once Felicity became more involved. The heart of the show involves Felicity, Diggle and Oliver. There actually needs to be more of them and less of everyone else.

Totally agree. I gave up on the show after the first 2 episodes because I could not connect to any of the characters. Then I watched the last few episodes of season 1 and fell in love with the show mainly because it had a character who was likable and relatable and someone I wanted to root for- Felicity. I would not watch the show without Felicity

Less Felicity? I started watched in the last few months and mostly because she is so fun.

I would definitely concur that Daniel is Ted Kord AKA Blue Beetle. Hoping that Akiko is not Lady Shiva, not sure I would like to see this character introduced this way. Could Seth be Prometheus?

The description for Daniel sounds a little like Nightwing. It could be a casting as “Daniel” only to be later revealed as Nightwing at SDCC.

NIghtwing without Batman doesnt make much sense, and i think they’ll stay away from Batman characters because of Gotham… He was never really a technology guy either.

While I disagree that Nightwing without Batman makes no sense (it could be done pretty easily), I agree that this isn’t him. This sounds like Ted Kord.

The nightwing story line could be done in the context of the teen titans something the show has already started.

There’s been rumors surrounding Nightwing being on the show for almost all of season 2….so I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Nightwing

How about making Nightswing become Owlman and he could become a good guy this time.

I love Felicity! I can’t wait for there to be a show that is dedicated to being all about her.

Daniel has to be Batman related, but I’m wondering….what if its Terry McGinnis who is the new generation Batman, he uses a high tech suit made by Batman and it could be a spin on him.

The Terry McGinnis version of Batman is better suited for Arrow than Bruce Wayne. I would like to see McGinnis and Queen go at it.

I liked the Nightwing theory, but your idea is awesome.

Nightswing would be perfect as a guest heroes either in Arrow or The Flash.

I knew felicity would likely get a love interest. The description is interesting because he doesn’t sound like Edward Raymond from the comics but that doesn’t mean this might not be him. I’m psyched to see what went down in hong kong and also how team arrows dynamic will change in the next year with the likely addition of laurel. If they could keep the angst and triangles to a minimum that would be awesome. I love the interaction between oliver and felicity so I look forward to seeing how branching out her character a bit outside the team will effect things.

Can Laurel get a love interest! My girl needs some love outside of jerk Oliver.

Daniel is Ted Kord. Akiko is Lady Shiva. Toshi I’ll guess is Silver Monkey.

Daniel is probably Ted Kord, since he’s been mentioned a few times last season, but is Seth gonna be Scarecrow?

While one could argue Batman allies like Dick and Barbara aren’t even born in Gotham’s world and therefore are available, major Batman villains like Scarecrow are probably are off limits, however. Conveniently, The League of Assassins are officially part of Green Arrow’s world as well as Batman’s…

Stephen Amell mentioned in one of the recently Comic-Con panels he attended that fans would be surprised at which Batman villains DC was letting them use. So maybe the non-LoA bad guys are not completely off-limits.

The Royal Flush Gang and Firefly were disappointments so if they do pull in more, hopefully they do a better job with it! Victor Freis on Flash?

I hope that the writer will revival the Royal Flush Gang and Firefly as a deadlier foe. I can’t wait to see the new set of foe that will give Arrow a run for his money. I also hope that there will be a crossover between Arrow and the Flash in the new season.

I’m going with Ted Kord for Daniel. There were one or two scenes this season with Kord Technologies on crates in warehouses

I agree and Felicity actually referenced Cord enterprises in episode 14 or 15 with the clock King. (tockman) So I hadnt thought of it that way until now. Interesting though. I think they are giving Felicity a Love interest to take focus off of Olicity shippers But it seriously depends on the chemistry between the two.

daniel is a fake name for Ted Kord! I was looking after to see him in Arrow! Maybe also Booster GOLD can arrive in The Flash! I seriously hoped Wild Cat could have showed up since it was teased in 2×16 and 2×23!

I hoped for a Green Lantern appearance this season, maybe later on! They are probably waiting to see how the Flash will do!

I’m looking forward to season 3, hopefully the lost kid story comes in play.

I know they started the powers storyline with Deathstroke and the Flash this season, but Green Lantern involves aliens and stuff, wouldn’t it a little too much for the serie they want grounded to reality? Would be great though, I think we saw a Ferris plane at some point right?

I hope that Green “Hal Jordan” Lantern will appear in future episode of either Arrow or the Flash.

I hope that the intergang will appear in future episode.

I hoped that GL would appear now as part of the Corps to check what happened to the city after this whole mess with Slade. As they are the protectors of the Universe, also I hoped they could tie them into the Mirakuru story as they were the ones who invented it or something. I know they won’t go to much into the power department but I can keep hoping.

As I know there were 2 refferences to GL universe 1st Oliver’s Cop gf went to Coast city into Rehab and a Ferris airplane in S01 final. But one of the writers shared a Ferris airplane photo on easter I believe.

And when they flashed now to the act Oliver knows to be a pilot I thought wow great oppurtunity.

Daniel sounds like a plot I’ve read in at least two fan fictions and I’m thinking either Nightwing or Ted Kord (but probably Kord). I’m excited for Felicity to have a life outside of Team Arrow.

I’m also excited for the Hong Kong flashbacks. It’s going to be a really different season, but I’m sure a good different.

OH MY GOD, My heart is beating fast, can’t wait anymore. maybe Daniel is Nightwing.

Is there going to be a love connection between Oliver and felicity (Olicity)???

It seems so! Emily Bett and Colton already talked about a new love triangle that will bring jealousy which will push certain feelings to the surface. Stephen said that we’ll find pretty early on season 3 if Oliver meant what he told Felicity, that he doesn’t think that it was all a ruse -they just got done what needed to be done. Not to mention that he insisted that what he told her in episode 6 (that he can’t be with someone he really cares about) is very important for him, it still stands. Emily again, said that Oliver felt that his words were real and was surprised with how much he meant it. Last but not least, pay attention to the last line: “A rival of Oliver’s – both //personally// and professionally.”

Oh! Did I mention that it’s been confirmed that the alternative scenario in the finale was an Olicity kiss and Oliver killing Slade? It’s happening already. ;)

Wow I am so looking forward to Season 3…… I hope folks don’t get too upset when this Love interest comes into the picture…. It means that they will be pushed apart Initially because of Oliver’s Belief of what was said in Episode 6 to Felicity Some folks think that this will be too soon to bring them together if they are end game… but I dont … But if you go back and watch Season 1 and two all over again Oliver already has tons of his humanity back and Alot of it is because of her and you can watch their relationship grow starting way back then. I am Excited for this season…. I would have figured that CW would have already had these roles cast prior to now…. I mean they start filming season 3 Next month I hear July 9 ??? Anyone know??

I think Akiko is katana. It seems like a set up for her to become a hero. Daniel being Ted Kord makes sense but Michael Holt is also a possibility

Ooh.. Katanna & Mr. Terrific are great guesses. I’d love to see either/both.

My guess for “Daniel” is also Ted Kord (aka Blue Beetle II) the nom de plume seems to fit since the original Blue Beetle was Dan Garrett.

As for the Rest… I’m in the dark. Seth could be ‘Scarecrow’ but I doubt it due to the physical description. Johnathan Crane was always a scrawny guy. But who knows, on the CW, everybody is a model.

Lady Shiva & Silver Monkey are good guesses for the other too, but I really can’t say for sure.

Hopefully “The Flash” takes off and we get some Booster Gold action in the not too distant. The Particle Accelerator explosion has opened the door to both metahumans and time-travel (see Eobard Thawne aka Prof. Zoom aka The Reverse-Flash)

I want Booster Gold also if we are getting Blue Beetle

I second this! Although, I could see him as “Seth” too. Either one will work for me, as long as he keeps getting work.

Luke Mitchell sound like he would be great as Daniel. I can’t wait to see Arrow season 3

I’m so happy to see that Felicity will gain more screen time to explore her back story and a life outside the Arrow cave. The humour and humanity that Felicity brings to the show is exactly what the Arrow needs to continue his journey to becoming a hero. While I don’t necessarily want to see Felicity in a relationship with Oliver yet, (they both have a lot my growing to do) I am interested to see how this will effect the dynamic in their relationship. It will be interesting to see Oliver deal with a rival who is his equal in a professional and personal why because so far in the show we haven’t seen anyone be both of those. If this character isn’t cast as a villain it will be even more interesting to see how Oliver deals with that rivalry.

I hope that the new Canary will be Laurel Lance. I hope that Roy Harper will be a crimefighter who can handle himself in a fight.

Given Gotham I doubt Arrow will be able to do much with the Batman mythos anymore, unless DC has loosened up on that. Main reason Batman stuff stopped showing up in the Justice League TV show was due to other Batman projects, ditto Aquaman late into the run since that was when the live-action Aquaman show was in production. Be nice to see them lighten up on that though.

Anyhow, I’ve got Daniel pegged for Ted Kord. Blue Beetle is quite popular with certain people around DC, in particular Geoff Johns. Hoping Arrow hits a home run with him if it is true since I’m very pro having lesser known heroes get raised up in other mediums.

Seth actually makes me think Scarecrow, but that would probably only work if the Batman Ban isn’t in effect. Hard to say really since there’s a few chemical geniuses out there in DC lore…

Thaddeus Sivana, Jr. would be great as the “Seth” character. Also if they made it out that his father was trying to take over Queen Industry it would bring in a different set of DC villains to the Arrow universe.

comic fan got their news wt abt non comic arrow fans? felicitys mom? dig’s baby? they better not mess with team arrow o/f/d

As long as Arrow keeps building up and eventually pays off what it’s been building with Oliver and Felicity, especially after that season 2 tease? It’s good. Seth sounds interesting as a villain. At first I immediately thought Seth Gable… Count… new Count Vertigo replacement. But there’s a few villains that could fit that description.

The original Blue Beetle was Dan Garrett FYI. His tragic past was he was a son of a police officer who was killed by a criminal.

Woohoo for Felicity catching all the men attention she can. I take it she and Barry will have a let is just be friends chat early in the season.

The Original Blue Beetle “Dan Garrett” would be perfect to be part of the Arrow/The Flash series. I can’t wait to see what will the writer top the last season.

Sounds like another love triangle. We’ll see what that does for the ratings *rolleyes*

I really hope that it’s a B-story, or even better, a C-story. Toshi and his wife sound interesting at least.

I can’t wait to see the mysterious lady that will give Oliver a run for his money.

Can’t wait! We need more Team Arrow, Oliver and his past, Diggle and the HIVE, Felicity’s backstory, more of her life outside the team.

But those three characters are the core of the show! It’s so awesome JB is back and that Willa Holland is working alongside him father and daughter duo.

However the show needs to get rid of it’s dead weights. Sadly Dinah Lance is in the comics and a great character but has been portrayed so badly in Arrow. It’s not Katie Cassidy’s fault it’s just her character is grating, unrelatable and totally off putting.

Arrow will continue to be a success if it plays to it’s strengths. It’s weaknesses need to be minimised as they drag down the show.

Nothing gets a show going like a love triangle. I hate to say it but it’s true.

Felicity Smoak needs to be sandwiched in the middle. Alongside John Diggle she’s the best character on the show.

I thought Oliver was pretty much an a-hole till he got his team. Now he’s on his way to being such an gnarly hero! Season 3 is gonna be epic.

I did accept Oliver and Sara and give them their dues. Now it’s Felicity’s time to have a man, “Daniel”.

Oliver and Felicity are the best future couple and need to be endgame. But in between let’s have some angst and fun, that’s always good!

But OLIVER AND FELICITY!! I’m sure I’ll like “Daniel” though, I liked Sara but not as much as Helena.

Yes. I’m for Oliver and Felicity being endgame, but Oliver needs something to blast him out of his mindset that he can’t be with someone he cares about, and an attractive superhero who is interested in Felicity is just person to do it.

I love Felicity. She’s the best thing about this show. If the show had continued on its original path (without Felicity) I would have stopped watching. It gold old very fast. Adding the core three, team arrow, improved the show so much! I don’t hate Laurel at all but I hope she’s not BC. There’s already a BC established and it’s Sara and they should leave it at that. And please no more Oliver/Laurel. That stuff was tedious. It’s like watching paint dry.

So great. Just give me wicked villains, Team Arrow, the Arrow becoming Green Arrow and Felicity Meghan Smoak. That’s the gold.

1. It’s time Felicity got more of a story for herself. Bonus that it’s a good guy who will blast Oliver out of his mindset that because of what he does he can’t be with someone he really cares about because she’s going to someone else who is a good guy and who also does the same thing.

2. the Hong Kong stuff sounds good. Hoping that Toshi will not only train Oliver but show him that he can be a husband and father too.

I can’t wait to learn how Oliver went from the Hong Kong location and back to the island where he was discover at the begging of the series.

There’s still three years to go until he gets picked up on the island.

Given his hair and beard length, he’d been back there for at least a year.

My guess is a year in Hong Kong, then a year in Russia where he learns Russian and joins the Bratva, and then back to the island.

“Daniel” might be either Ted Kord(Blue Beetle) or Dick Grayson(Nightwing). Steven R. McQueen has reportedly been at an audition for the role as Grayson/Nightwing. But Kord Industries has had cameos in season 2.

I wonder if “Daniel” will be Felicity gateway into her own computer company?

the comics Felicity owned a tech company- if i remember correctly. and i have been wondering when or if they will ever set her on that path, mostly because i feel it will be wrong for her to continue working at QC (especially as his EA) once she and Oliver will get together.

EXCITING!!!! I was hoping Felicity would get a legit love interest

I hear Luke Mitchell is available these days.

I wanted to join the Luke Mitchell fan club. I hope that he will become Daniel. I can’t wait to see how the writer will developed his background.

I want Takeda,Hiroyuki Sanada to play Toshi, he knows already what to be a mentor, maybe Will Yun Lee from Hawaii 5-0, Yun Fat Show, Yuji Okumoto, Sun Kang from The F&F movies,

For Akiko, depends of the age of Toshi, Michelle Yeoh, Tia Carrere, Yunjin Kim is in Mistresses, but is a summer show, so, cross fingers

For Daniel, i like Ethan Peck or Christian Alexander from The Lying Game, Rick Malambri from Step Up 3D,

Great news about a love interest for Felicity. Hopefully it spurs Oliver into action regarding his feelings for her. It seems like the show is supporting that relationship, which I think they’re smart to do. I love Laurel, but her relationship with Oliver is toxic. And although the Dinah and Oliver had their problems in the comics as well, the circumstances and the foundation for their relationship in the show is different and isn’t something I can support. I’m looking forward to them dropping the on/off angle with Laurel and Oliver next season, and hope they focus on her training to become Black Canary.

Mr. Terrific would be perfect as ally. Good luck to the third season.

I’m really excited that Felicity’s getting a love interest, this could be great! This’ll give us a chance to dive into her past as well.

Ted Kord was mentioned way back in S1, (Oliver’s parents went to a ‘Ted Kord fundraiser’ in 1×21) so I’m guessing he’s Oliver’s parents’ age (if they were alive), so Daniel must be his son, if it’s Kord Enterprises they’re implying.

I hope that Ted Kord will appear in the third season as the Blue Beetle. He and Oliver will make a great partners.

Can Luke Mitchell be cast as Daniel?… I mean, come on…

I love Laurel! Felicity is such an overrated boring character on the show. All she does is say something witty, use her computer to help Oliver and stares at Oliver with puppy dog eyes. At least Laurel has depth and and is fully fleshed out. The writers of Arrow need to stop having Laurel and Thea as the angry overemotional women on the show. Felicity has been written like a god. Nothing bad ever happens to her. She never has any issues. God forbid she does something that isn’t popular or emotional because the fan base will be upset that they are ruining Felicity. A lot of people hated Laurel because she was emotional and was angry. Don’t blame Laurel or Katie Cassidy, blame the writers. They have a plan for her and since she will become the Black Carnary I’m confident they will give her great moments in season 3. Laurel and Thea started and finished on opposite ends of the spectrum in Season 2. I can’t wait for the real Black Carnary and not some cheap imitation.

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