After a prolonged absence, The CW has confirmed actor Colton Haynes will return to "Arrow" in a reprisal of his role as crime-fighting vigilante archer 'Roy Harper', aka 'Arsenal':
"We're thrilled to announce that Colton Haynes will be reprising his role as Roy Harper for a short arc on Arrow this year", according to "Arrow" executive producers Marc Guggenheim and Wendy Mericle.
"Roy is called back to 'Star City' to help resolve an urgent matter with high stakes for the team. His short visit turns into something surprising when he reunites with Thea and sparks a change in both of their lives that will have long-lasting consequences."
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'Roy Harper' debuted in the Season One "Arrow" episode 'Dodger' as a thief who steals the purse of 'Thea Queen'.
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Eventually they reconcile and start dating. When 'Oliver' saves Roy's life in "Salvation", he gains an active interest in the vigilante known as the 'Hood' and wants to emulate him. Roy continues to act as a recurring character throughout the rest of the season and becomes a series regular in Season Two.
Throughout the Season, Roy fights crime in acts of vigilantism, before he is captured and injected with the super-soldier drug 'Mirakuru', enhancing his physical capabilities...
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...giving him new strength and healing, able to punch through solid wood and recover from being shot at point-blank range- but also causing his behavior to become hostile and violent.
Oliver approaches Roy as Arrow' and offers to train him, to control his physical and mental performance. Eventually Roy learns the Arrow's identity and officially joins 'Team Arrow'.
In the episode "Birds of Prey", Oliver calls Roy his sister's nickname 'Speedy'. Roy is not too pleased by this and tells Oliver not to call him that.
By the end of Season Two, Roy is cured of the Mirakuru and Oliver gives him a red domino mask. Roy chooses to fight by Oliver's side to save the city from the army of 'Slade Wilson', hoping to achieve redemption, but at the cost of his relationship with Thea.
Roy assumes the name 'Arsenal', in a red version of Oliver's costume and equipment in Season 3 of "Arrow". Oliver suggests the name 'Arsenal' after an antagonist refers to him as 'another weapon in Oliver's arsenal'.
"If we end this show, without seeing 'Roy Harper' again, I think we will have made a tragic mistake", said "Arrow" series star Stephen Amell.
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Click the images to enlarge. and Sneak Peek 'Arsenal'...
