10 years ago, a new DC universe was born with the introduction of Arrow to the CW Network. Network executives were elated with the reception the show received in its initial season, as it had managed to attract fans both familiar and unfamiliar with the source material.
Here we will be looking at the best performers from throughout the Arrowverse, whether they came from the original show or from its many spinoffs. Involving The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, Batwoman, & Black Lightning, this was an extensive list to cover, and there are bound to be some heroes who are left feeling snubbed. But we will be going over some of their most impactful scenes as well as where the actor’s performance left an impact on the series.
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8 Nicole Maines
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Nicole Maines makes her debut in the fourth season of Supergirl. Portraying Nia Nal, Maines’ role appears to be that of a foil for Melissa Benoist’s Kara to work with in the Catco office, but the young reporter has much more in her destiny when it’s revealed that the prophetic dreams she has been having are a gift that is passed down through the maternal line of her family.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
This revelation would lead to some of the most impactful performances from Nicole Maines as she became the first person to portray a transgender superhero on screen. Nicole Maines would bring a broad spectrum of emotion to the role, providing focus to the series’ human rights storylines; as Nia Nal became the hero, Dreamer, she would have to contend with prejudice from members of the public as well as from her own sister.
7 Katie Cassidy
Debuting in Arrow season one, Katie Cassidy plays Laurel Lance, initially a love interest of Oliver Queen, Laurel’s character would grow over time to become the first of many women to adopt the codename “Black Canary.” Katie Cassidy’s performance would go through many emotional highs and lows, from having to face the man who cheated on her and was a reason her sister died (or so she had believed) Laurel would eventually join the emerald archer in his fight for justice.
Katie Cassidy’s time with the franchise would slow down considerably after being killed by Damien Darkh in Season Four of the show. However, she would be welcomed back here and there for special occasions, both by way of flashback and by the concept of Earth-2 variants. This would be another example of Katie Cassidy’s excellent performance as her variant would be an evil version known as “Black Siren.”
6 Danielle Panabaker
When Danielle Panabaker was introduced in Arrow’s backdoor pilot for their first spinoff, The Flash, she appeared just to be filling in the archetype of the intelligent character who would remain in the hideout, directing traffic for the hero from afar. But Panabaker would have much more in store for the Arrowverse as she was portraying Caitlin Snow, the young scientist that would eventually become the villain (or, in this case, antihero) Killer Frost.
Danielle Panabaker would soon be in charge of one of the most compelling B-plotlines of the show, with Frost being portrayed as a separate personality from Caitlin and the two coming to regard each other as sisters. The performance needed to pull off two completely disparate personas as well as have them interact with each other takes a large amount of skill, and Danielle Panabaker deserves her flowers for this performance.
5 Caity Lotz
Not much was expected from Caity Lotz as she was given the role of Sara Lance, also known as White Canary. Sara was initially another love interest of Oliver Queen and the younger sister of Laurel Lance in Arrow. And while Caity Lotz had an impressive run on the show playing the traumatized assassin, her best performances came from the often underrated DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
While the initial season was much more serious than the rest of the show’s run, Sara would eventually take over the lead role and become the new captain of the ensemble cast. Caity Lotz had to lead the show after being a supporting character, and she did so admirably, becoming the core that audiences rooted for as the Legends crossed time on many adventures. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after she had her happy marriage ruined by a sudden arrest.
4 Melissa Benoist
Fresh off a run on Glee, Melissa Benoist would don the red cape as she became Kara Danvers, also known as Supergirl. While the character wasn’t always intended to be a part of the Arrowverse, it would be revealed that the show took place on Earth-38 and was still subject to crossovers. Melissa Benoist would ably embody a character that was a stranger in a strange land, growing up on Earth but knowing she was different from everyone else.
Being a young heroine and taking on the role usually reserved for her cousin, Melissa Benoist would often be charged with making inspirational speeches regarding truth, justice, and the American way. She would also use her cover as Kara Danvers to identify with reporters seeking to bring the truth to the public so that they could make more informed decisions.
3 Matt Ryan
The number of men to play the dangerously suave character, John Constantine, makes for a small list. Chief among them is Matt Ryan, an actor that many have stated is the quintessential Constantine himself. With the mastery of his strong English accent and the mannerisms of the Hellblazer, Matt Ryan has caught many off guard with his performance’s uncanny resemblance to the character.
First leading his own limited series, Matt Ryan would be officially inducted into the Arrowverse with a guest appearance on Arrow. After making another guest appearance on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Matt Ryan would be promoted to main cast member for seasons four through six. Despite the character eventually being written off of the show, Matt Ryan would continue his run under a new character, a scientist who was obsessed with retrieving his lover from a doomed fate in the war.
2 Stephen Amell
A performance that helped boost an entire franchise. Stephen Amell plays Oliver Queen, the main character of the Arrow series that would help to kickstart the whole Arrowverse. Amell would appear to be a muscular, gruff man who was only set on vengeance, but over the course of the series’ eight seasons, he would prove to be an iconic actor whom an entire franchise would be built around.
Dealing with loss and tragedy every season, Stephen Amell portrays a man who is repeatedly broken down and to whom a happy ending seems ever elusive. With his commitment to the epic fight scenes and highly emotional struggles, Stephen Amell proves more than capable of carrying the responsibility. It is only a shame that the Arrowverse didn’t last long past his retirement of the character.
1 Grant Gustin
Warner Brothers Television Distribution
The only character that could potentially outshine Stephen Amell is Grant Gustin, the actor responsible for playing the scarlet speedster, Barry Allen, also known as “The Flash.” Barry Allen is a young hero who is intent on protecting the ones he loves and his city from evildoers, but he also believes in redemption. Should any villain be someone who merely needs help, the Flash would be the first to extend a helping hand.
Barry also gives many great speeches and suffers heavy losses throughout the course of the show, revealing that Grant Gustin is more than capable of providing the same depth that his contemporaries can and then some. While it’s a shame that Grant Gustin’s performance wasn’t enough to save the Arrowverse from the corporate shakeup, he and the rest of the cast proved popular enough that the show was given enough time for a proper sendoff.
