‘DC Legends of Tomorrow': Brandon Routh, Courtney Ford to Exit CW Superhero Series
Brandon Routh and Courtney Ford are departing The CW’s “Legends of Tomorrow” as series regulars, TheWrap has confirmed.
Routh has starred as Ray Palmer, a.k.a. Atom, on the DC superhero show since its debut in 2016. Ford, who plays Nora Darhk, joined the show in Season 3. Both will make their departures during the upcoming fifth season.
Executive producers Phil Klemmer, Grianne Godfree and Keto Shimizu praised Routh and Ford in a joint statement on Thursday, leaving the door open for the actors to return to the show down the line.
Also Read: Ending 'Supernatural' Was a 'Long, Sad, Heartbreaking' Conversation, CW Boss Says
“Brandon and Courtney have been invaluable members of the Legends family,” the trio said. “They have always brought a level passion and collaboration to their characters and to the show — both on and off the screen — that we deeply admire and for which we are eternally grateful. As one of the founding ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ Brandon is extremely beloved by the fans and everyone on the show. Of course, when we have had main characters in the past whose journeys take them away from the Waverider, it’s never truly goodbye. We love these characters and hope to check in with them in future seasons, to see how life off the ship has transformed them for better or worse.”
The cast shakeup comes amid of a period of transition for The CW’s so-called “Arrowverse,” as the flagship series, led by Stephen Amell, heads into its final season this fall.
“Legends” and “Arrow,” along with the network’s four other DC series — “The Flash,” “Batwoman,” “Supergirl” and “Black Lightning” — are set to cross over with the heavily hyped “Crisis of Infinite Earths” event in December. The five-night crossover will also see Routh reprising his role as Superman alongside “Supergirl’s” Tyler Hoechlin.
Also Read: CW's 'The 100' to End With Season 7
“I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring the big-hearted and humorous Ray Palmer to life for our fans over the last 5 years, but unfortunately, his storyline is pointed in another direction,” Routh said in a statement. “I’m saddened to see Ray’s journey end for now but wish my ‘Legends’ family well.”
“Nora Darhk is very close to my heart,” said Ford. “If it were my choice, I’d play her for years to come. But I understand that stories run their course, and I’m grateful for the time I did have bringing Nora to life on ‘Legends of Tomorrow.'”
Read original story ‘DC Legends of Tomorrow': Brandon Routh, Courtney Ford to Exit CW Superhero Series At TheWrap
