Stephen Amell Hopes For A More Lighthearted Oliver Queen in Arrow Season 6

07/10/2017 09:34 pm EDT

While The CW's DCTV universe as a whole has become known for its upbeat nature, many have considered its flagship show, Arrow, to be much darker in comparison. But the show's star, Stephen Amell, is optimistic about that changing in some way with Arrow's upcoming sixth season.

During a panel at Heroes and Villains Fan Fest Nashville, Amell addressed the difference between his portrayal of Oliver Queen and the comic portrayal many fans know, and expressed his interest in the two becoming more similar.

"Obviously the Oliver Queen that a lot of people know from the comics, if they were familiar with that character before they were familiar with my iteration of the character, is a lot more, I guess, idealistic." Amell explained. "Politically driven a little bit, and funny. He smiles."

While elements of that have made their way into Amell's onscreen portrayal - most recently, his job as Star City's mayor - the actor hinted that a less overt expression of Oliver's comic book nature could come in Season 6.

"The character that we met in season one had just gone through a horrific series of events. Now he's a little bit more well adjusted." Amell revealed. "I would hope that as that happens, that the character still gets to evolve a little bit. I think that would push him more towards the areas that people are familiar with in the comics. A sense of humor. A lightheartedness."

Amell has been fairly outspoken about this change in recent months, expressing that fans will see a more well-rounded, as well as possibly more comic-accurate, version of Oliver Queen.

But for those who are wondering how that change could occur on the heels of Arrow's shocking season five finale, Amell reassured that a form of the conflict and tension the show's fans have come to know will still remain.

"That being said, our show is our show and bad things happen all the time. Hopefully we get some of those overtones this year and beyond."

Arrow Season 6 premieres this fall.

MORE ARROW: Stephen Amell Confirms Deathstroke's Arrow Season 6 Return / Season 6 Will See Major Change To Oliver / Katie Cassidy Posts Arrow Season 6 Behind The Scenes Photo / Stephen Amell Really Wants A Supernatural/Arrow Crossover

After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the North China Sea. He returned home to Star City, bent on righting the wrongs done by his family and fighting injustice. As the Green Arrow, he protects his city with the help of former soldier John Diggle (David Ramsey), computer-science expert Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), his vigilante-trained sister Thea Queen (Willa Holland), Deputy Mayor Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne), brilliant inventor Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum), and his new recruits, street-savvy Rene Ramirez (Rick Gonzalez) and meta-human Dinah Drake (Juliana Harkavy).

Oliver has finally solidified and strengthened his crime-fighting team only to have it threatened when unexpected enemies from his past return to Star City, forcing Oliver to rethink his relationship with each member of his "family."

Based on the characters from DC, ARROW is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti ("The Flash," "Supergirl"), Marc Guggenheim ("DC's Legends of Tomorrow," "Eli Stone"), Wendy Mericle ("Desperate Housewives," "Eli Stone"), Andrew Kreisberg ("The Flash," "Eli Stone," "Warehouse 13") and Sarah Schechter ("The Flash," "DC's Legends of Tomorrow").

Supergirl premieres on Monday, October 9th at 8 pm, while The Flash debuts on Tuesday, October 10 at 8 pm. Legends of Tomorrow moves to Tuesdays this Fall, airing right after The Flash on October 10. On Thursday, October 12 at 9 pm Arrow will premiere to round out the DC roster.

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