Stephen Amell Reflects on His Time in ARROW: “I Had a Short Fuse” but Learned Along the Way
Stephen Amell is gearing up for his return to television in NBC’s Suits LA, and while we wait to see him in that, the actor is reflecting on his time as Oliver Queen in DC’s Arrow.
In a recent conversation with Variety, Amell opened up about the challenges he faced during his years on the CW superhero series, admitting that he had a “short fuse” on set while navigating the demands of leading a major TV show.
“The first two or three years of Arrow, I was gripping so tight. I was white knuckling it,” Amell said. “The hours were long. By the time we got to the fifth episode of the first season, I’d worked more on that show than I’d ever worked on anything in my life.”
He did note that his frustration never crossed a line, but it was something he had to learn to manage. “I was never a monster. I was never disrespectful — but I had a short fuse. And you learn as you go.”
Beyond the pressures of production, Amell also acknowledged that his engagement with fans, particularly on social media, and how it wasn’t always beneficial.
Throughout Arrow’s run, he was highly active online, frequently responding to comments and attending conventions. However, he now realizes that trying to “police” criticism was a mistake.
“There used to be a lot of hypercritical people, specifically with Arrow,” he admitted. “I would see it and almost try to police it.”
That approach only made things harder. “Social media has become a zero-sum game — there is no winning,” he said. “I learned the hard way.”
Amell’s candid comments about his experience offers an interesting look at the pressure of taking on a big project like Arrow.
Source: Variety