John Barrowman ‘very sad’ after being written out of Arrow
John Barrowman has been axed from Arrow.
The Scottish-born actor confirmed the news in an Instagram post.
His character, Malcolm Merlyn, has been written out of the show and will not return in future seasons.
The star broke his silence on the news, recording an emotional video in which he says he is “very sad and upset”.
“By now you know that Malcolm Merlyn is no more,” he began.
“I know they’ve done it off-camera but I’m here to tell you I won’t be coming back next season.
“I want you to know how wonderful it has been for the last five years to be part of the Arrow universe and all the shows connected to it.”
He continued: “Arrow and Malcolm Merlyn have changed my life over here in the states and opened many, many doors and granted me some wonderful opportunities.
“It’s also introduced me to … a new fanbase – friends, family that I think of all of you as.
“I think that’s probably the most important thing to me. I’m very sad to be leaving the Arrow-verse.
“I love playing Malcolm Merlyn. As sad as it may be, I understand how shows must change and also characters must change and develop.
“But that doesn’t mean that I’m not very sad and upset about it.
“I appreciate your support and love you all.”
However there is good news for the actor – he won’t be out of work.
Barrowman is set to return in a brand new series of Torchwood.
The Doctor Who spin-off show last hit screens six years ago with Torchwood: Mircale Day.
It’s now set to return to the airwaves with season five, named Torchwood: Aliens Among Us.
Barrowman is expected to return as omnisexual Captain Jack Harkness in the new series.
Producers are even teasing the return of the gay romance between omnisexual Captain Jack and his office boy Ianto Jones, who died at the end of season three.
“This is an ambitious series for Big Finish – an entire season of Torchwood! There are some great scripts by some new writers,” James Goss, who will be producing this series, said.
Unlike previous series of the show, the fifth season will be in audio rather than on screens.
The Torchwood star showed off rather more of his husband than he intended to during a live-stream with fans last year.
Barrowman was live-streaming a chat with fans from a Palm Springs hot tub when his husband Scott Gill happened to get in too… completely naked.
