{{short description|Fictional character in the Arrowverse franchise}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use American English|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox character | name = Laurel Lance | franchise = Arrowverse | image = Black Canary (Katie Cassidy).jpg | caption = Katie Cassidy as Earth-1 Laurel Lance / Black Canary in ''Arrow'' season 3 | first_major = '''Arrow '''/''' The Flash''' | first_minor = Pilot", "Invincible | first_date = October 10, 2012 <br /><small>(Earth-1 version)</small> <br /> May 17, 2016 <br /><small>(Earth-2 version)</small> | last_major = '''Arrow ''' | last_minor = Crisis on Infinite Earths", "Fadeout | last_date = January 14, 2020 <br /><small>(Earth-1 version)</small> <br /> January 28, 2020 <br /><small>(Earth-2 version)</small> | portrayer = Katie Cassidy | alias = Black Canary<br />Black Siren <small>(Earth-2 version; formerly)</small><br />Siu Jerk Jai <small>(Earth-2 version, occasionally)</small> | based_on = {{Based on|Black Canary|Robert Kanigher|{{quad}}Carmine Infantino}} | adapted_by = {{Plainlist| * Greg Berlanti * Andrew Kreisberg * Marc Guggenheim * Gabrielle Stanton * Aaron Helbing * Todd Helbing }} | full_name = Dinah Laurel Lance | family = Quentin Lance <small>(father)</small><br />Dinah Lance <small>(mother)</small><br />Sara Lance <small>(younger sister)</small> }}
'''Dinah Laurel Lance''' is a fictional character in The CW's Arrowverse franchise based on the DC Comics character of the same name, created by writer-artist team of Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, and adapted by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg for ''Arrow'' in 2012. Katie Cassidy portrays the several multiverse versions of the character within the ''Arrowverse'', all of whom are mostly referred to by their middle name, "Laurel", unlike the comics.
The first version of Laurel is introduced in the pilot episode of ''Arrow'' as a legal aid attorney and Oliver Queen's ex-girlfriend, who later becomes a vigilante and takes up the mantle of '''Black Canary''' in subsequent seasons of ''Arrow'' until her death in season four. The character also appears in spin-off shows ''The Flash'' and ''Legends of Tomorrow''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlinghame |first=Russ |date=April 6, 2017 |title=Legends of Tomorrow's Season 2 Finale Closes the Door on A Beloved Arrow Character |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2017/04/05/legends-of-tomorrows-season-2-finale-closes-the-door-on-a-belove/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622165511/http://comicbook.com/dc/2017/04/05/legends-of-tomorrows-season-2-finale-closes-the-door-on-a-belove/ |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=December 15, 2018 |website=ComicBook.com}}</ref> as well web series ''Vixen'', which are all set in the same shared fictional universe.
In 2016, the penultimate episode of ''The Flash'' season two introduces an antagonist doppelgänger of Laurel Lance from the parallel universe Earth-2, who is known as '''Black Siren'''.<ref name="Black Siren 1" /> The character subsequently recurs in ''Arrow'' season five and becomes one of the main characters from season six onward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=March 27, 2017 |title=Arrow: Katie Cassidy to Return as Series Regular for Season 6, Playing [Spoiler] |url=http://tvline.com/2017/03/27/arrow-season-6-katie-cassidy-series-regular-black-siren/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328013523/http://tvline.com/2017/03/27/arrow-season-6-katie-cassidy-series-regular-black-siren/ |archive-date=March 28, 2017 |access-date=March 28, 2017 |website=TVLine}}</ref> This version of Laurel is gradually redeemed in the following seasons of ''Arrow'' and eventually assumes the heroic 'Black Canary' moniker, like her late Earth-1 counterpart.
Following the events of the sixth annual Arrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths", Earth-2 Laurel is revived in the rebooted universe called Earth-Prime. The penultimate episode of ''Arrow''{{'}}s final season served as a pilot for a potential spin-off series ''Green Arrow and the Canaries'' set in 2040 in the new timeline, co-starring Cassidy as the character. However, the series was not picked up.
== Storylines == === Laurel Lance (Earth-1) === {{further|Arrow season 1|Arrow season 2|Arrow season 3|Arrow season 4}}
Dinah Laurel Lance is first introduced in the pilot episode of ''Arrow''<ref name="Pilot ep2">{{Cite web |last=Byrne |first=Craig |date=February 15, 2012 |title=Arrow Finds Its Canary – And It's Katie Cassidy |url=http://www.greenarrowtv.com/arrow-finds-its-canary-and-its-katie-cassidy/10957 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220043933/http://www.greenarrowtv.com/arrow-finds-its-canary-and-its-katie-cassidy/10957 |archive-date=February 20, 2012 |access-date=February 15, 2012 |website=GreenArrowTV.com}}</ref> as a legal-aid attorney working for a legal assistance group called CNRI (City Necessary Resources Initiative) in Starling City. Her father Quentin Lance is a detective and her younger sister Sara Lance and ex-boyfriend Oliver Queen are both presumed dead, while having a secret fling during the sinking of Queen's Gambit five years ago.<ref name="Pilot ep1">{{Cite episode |title=Pilot |episode-link=Pilot (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 10, 2012 |season=1 |number=1}}</ref> Over season one's course, Laurel pursues a relationship with Tommy Merlyn,<ref name="An Innocent Man ep">{{Cite episode |title=An Innocent Man |episode-link=An Innocent Man (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 31, 2012 |season=1 |number=4}}</ref> and often works with "The Hood", unaware that the vigilante is actually Oliver who has returned.<ref name="Burned ep">{{Cite episode |title=Burned |episode-link=Burned (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=January 16, 2013 |season=1 |number=10}}</ref><ref name="Lone Gunmen ep">{{Cite episode |title=Lone Gunmen |episode-link=Lone Gunmen (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 24, 2012 |season=1 |number=3}}</ref> Laurel initially blames Oliver for Sara's death but after her breakup with Tommy, she briefly resumes her relationship with Oliver.<ref name="Darkness on the Edge of Town ep">{{Cite episode |title=Darkness on the Edge of Town |episode-link=Darkness on the Edge of Town (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 8, 2013 |season=1 |number=22}}</ref> Tommy's death during the events of 'The Undertaking' eventually causes Oliver and Laurel to part ways.<ref name="Sacrifice ep">{{Cite episode |title=Sacrifice |episode-link=Sacrifice (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 15, 2013 |season=1 |number=23}}</ref>
In season two of ''Arrow'', Laurel becomes an Assistant District Attorney,<ref name="City of Heroes ep">{{Cite episode |title=City of Heroes |episode-link=City of Heroes (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 9, 2013 |season=2 |number=1}}</ref> but also struggles with Tommy's death, leading her to fight her own battles with alcoholism and use of prescription drugs.<ref name="League of Assassins ep">{{Cite episode |title=League of Assassins |episode-link=League of Assassins (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=November 6, 2013 |season=2 |number=5}}</ref><ref name="Blindspot ep">{{Cite episode |title=Blind Spot |episode-link=Blind Spot (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=January 22, 2014 |season=2 |number=11}}</ref> She learns that her sister Sara is alive.<ref name="Heir to the Demon ep">{{Cite episode |title=Heir to the Demon |episode-link=Heir to the Demon |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=February 5, 2014 |season=2 |number=13}}</ref> She also learns that Oliver is the vigilante known as "The Arrow",<ref name="Deathstroke ep">{{Cite episode |title=Deathstroke |episode-link=Deathstroke (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 2, 2014 |season=2 |number=18}}</ref> and her sister is also a vigilante, whom she eventually names "The Canary".<ref name="The Man Under the Hood">{{Cite episode |title=The Man Under the Hood |episode-link=The Man Under the Hood |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 16, 2014 |season=2 |number=19}}</ref><ref name="Streets of Fire">{{Cite episode |title=Streets of Fire |episode-link=Streets of Fire (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 7, 2014 |season=2 |number=22}}</ref> In the next season, Laurel witnesses Sara's murder and resolves to become a vigilante to find her sister's killer and to help people as Sara did.<ref name="The Calm ep">{{Cite episode |title=The Calm |episode-link=The Calm (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 8, 2014 |season=3 |number=1}}</ref><ref name="Sara ep">{{Cite episode |title=Sara |episode-link=Sara (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 15, 2014 |season=3 |number=2}}</ref> This leads her to begin combat training with Ted Grant,<ref name="Corto Maltese ep">{{Cite episode |title=Corto Maltese |episode-link=Corto Maltese (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 22, 2014 |season=3 |number=3}}</ref> and later Nyssa al Ghul.<ref name="The Offer ep">{{Cite episode |title=The Offer |episode-link=The Offer (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=March 18, 2015 |season=3 |number=16}}</ref> Initially impersonating "The Canary", Laurel eventually assumes her own mantle as the "Black Canary" and joins Oliver's crusade.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=January 11, 2015 |title='Arrow': Black Canary steps up now that Oliver has 'fallen' |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/01/11/arrow-black-canary-steps-up-now-that-oliver-has-fallen/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112013140/http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/11/arrow-black-canary-steps-up-now-that-oliver-has-fallen/ |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |access-date=February 13, 2022}}</ref><ref name="The Return ep">{{Cite episode |title=The Return |episode-link=The Return (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=February 18, 2015 |season=3 |number=14}}</ref> As Black Canary, she uses a side-handle baton as her trademark weapon,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moran |first=Sarah |date=November 12, 2014 |title='Arrow': Katie Cassidy's Black Canary Costume Revealed |url=https://screenrant.com/arrow-tv-show-black-canary-costume-katie-cassidy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403073002/https://screenrant.com/arrow-tv-show-black-canary-costume-katie-cassidy/ |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |website=Screen Rant}}</ref> and later uses an updated version of her sister's sonic "Canary Cry" device designed by Cisco Ramon.<ref name="Who Is Harrison Wells?">{{Cite episode |title=Who Is Harrison Wells? |episode-link=Who Is Harrison Wells? |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 21, 2015 |season=1 |number=19}}</ref><ref name="My Name Is Oliver Queen">{{Cite episode |title=My Name Is Oliver Queen |episode-link=My Name Is Oliver Queen |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 13, 2015 |season=3 |number=23}}</ref>
In season four of ''Arrow'', Laurel is shown to be actively operating as the Black Canary, alongside John Diggle and Thea Queen, as a member of "Team Arrow". Laurel and Thea convince Oliver, who had retired with Felicity Smoak in the previous season, to return to the city (now renamed Star City) and join the team again, which leads to Oliver adopting the moniker "Green Arrow".<ref name="Green Arrow ep">{{Cite episode |title=Green Arrow |episode-link=Green Arrow (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 7, 2015 |season=4 |number=1}}</ref> Soon Laurel learns about the Lazarus Pit's power and attempts Sara's resurrection,<ref name="The Candidate">{{Cite episode |title=The Candidate |episode-link=The Candidate (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 14, 2015 |season=4 |number=2}}</ref> which succeeds with John Constantine's help.<ref name="Beyond Redemption ep">{{Cite episode |title=Beyond Redemption |episode-link=Beyond Redemption |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 28, 2015 |season=4 |number=4}}</ref><ref name="Haunted ep">{{Cite episode |title=Haunted |episode-link=Haunted (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=November 4, 2015 |season=4 |number=5}}</ref> Laurel soon convinces Sara to join Rip Hunter's team later known as the Legends; Sara does so, adopting the moniker "White Canary".<ref name="Pilot LoT">{{Cite episode |title=Pilot, Part 1 |episode-link=Pilot, Part 1 (Legends of Tomorrow) |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=January 21, 2016 |season=1 |number=1}}</ref> Laurel subsequently works with Team Arrow as Black Canary for several missions. During one of their missions, she is mortally wounded by H.I.V.E. leader Damien Darhk and later dies in the hospital surrounded by the team and confessing to Oliver that she still loves him.<ref name="Eleven-Fifty Nine ep">{{Cite episode |title=Eleven-Fifty-Nine |episode-link=Eleven-Fifty-Nine |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 6, 2016 |season=4 |number=18}}</ref><ref name="Legacy ep">{{Cite episode |title=Legacy |episode-link=Legacy (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 5, 2016 |season=5 |number=1}}</ref> At her funeral, Oliver reveals Black Canary's real identity to the public to stop Evelyn Sharp's impersonation from inadvertently labeling the Black Canary as a criminal.<ref name="Canary Cry ep">{{Cite episode |title=Canary Cry |episode-link=Canary Cry |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 27, 2016 |season=4 |number=19}}</ref> Laurel's death is avenged when Oliver kills Darhk.<ref name="Schism ep">{{Cite episode |title=Schism |episode-link=Schism (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 25, 2016 |season=4 |number=23}}</ref>
In later seasons of ''Arrow'', the Black Canary mantle is passed on to Dinah Drake<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dyce |first=Andrew |date=February 2, 2017 |title='Arrow': Arrow Just Replaced Black Canary With... Black Canary? |work=Screen Rant |url=https://screenrant.com/arrow-new-black-canary-dinah-drake |url-status=live |access-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327221801/https://screenrant.com/arrow-new-black-canary-dinah-drake/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref> by Oliver, while Laurel's Earth-2 doppelgänger, who is initially evil and goes by the moniker "Black Siren", eventually assumes Laurel's civilian identity on Earth-1 and gradually redeems herself to take on the "Black Canary" mantle too.<ref name="Doppelganger" /> In season six, Earth-1 Laurel is seen in Oliver's hallucination when he is drugged with Vertigo, accusing him of her death.<ref name="Fundamentals ep">{{Cite episode |title=Fundamentals |episode-link=Fundamentals (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 12, 2018 |season=6 |number=18}}</ref> In season seven, archive footage of Laurel as Black Canary is seen in ''Emerald Archer'', a documentary about Oliver's vigilante activities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drum |first=Nicole |date=February 4, 2019 |title='Arrow': Every Character Who Returns in "Emerald Archer" |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/02/05/arrow-150th-episode-returning-characters-emerald-archer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190418062654/https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/02/05/arrow-150th-episode-returning-characters-emerald-archer/ |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |access-date=April 18, 2019 |website=ComicBook.com}}</ref><ref name="Emerald Archer">{{Cite episode |title=Emerald Archer |episode-link=Emerald Archer (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=February 4, 2019 |season=5 |number=12}}</ref> In season eight, Earth-1 Laurel appears as a speed force illusion in Arrow's episode of ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'', where she mourns Sara's death alongside Diggle.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four |episode-link=Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=January 14, 2020 |season=8 |number=8}}</ref> After the events of ''Crisis'', in the new Earth-Prime, Laurel is said to have married Tommy Merlyn, who survived the events of the first season in this new universe, although Laurel herself still later died.<ref name="auto">{{Cite episode |title=Fadeout |episode-link=Fadeout (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=January 28, 2020 |season=8 |number=10}}</ref>
=== Laurel Lance (Earth-2) === {{further|The Flash season 2|Arrow season 5|Arrow season 6|Arrow season 7|Arrow season 8}}
[[File:Black Siren (Katie Cassidy).jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|right|Cassidy as Earth-2 Laurel Lance, during her first appearance as '''Black Siren''' on ''The Flash''.]]
Black Siren is introduced in ''The Flash'' season two's twenty-second episode "Invincible" as a criminal and member of Zoom's metahuman army.<ref name="Black Siren 1">{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Arrow's Katie Cassidy to appear on The Flash, Vixen |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/arrow-katie-cassidy-flash-vixen |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406110700/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/arrow-katie-cassidy-flash-vixen |archive-date=April 6, 2016 |access-date=April 4, 2016}}</ref> Her scream is a metahuman power that she uses to take down buildings on Zoom's order, but is stopped by Barry Allen / The Flash's team and imprisoned at S.T.A.R. Labs.<ref name="Invincible">{{Cite episode |title=Invincible |episode-link=Invincible (The Flash) |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 17, 2016 |season=2 |number=22}}</ref> Black Siren later re-appears in season five of ''Arrow''.<ref name="What We Leave Behind ep">{{Cite episode |title=What We Leave Behind |episode-link=What We Leave Behind (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=December 7, 2016 |season=5 |number=9}}</ref> Initially posing as Earth-1 Laurel, she is revealed to be working for Prometheus. But her true identity is soon discovered by Felicity, and she, along with Team Arrow, imprison E2 Laurel at A.R.G.U.S.<ref name="Who Are You? ep">{{Cite episode |title=Who Are You? |episode-link=Who Are You? (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=January 25, 2017 |season=5 |number=10}}</ref> She later assists Prometheus again in kidnapping and taking the Team on Lian Yu.<ref name="Missing ep">{{Cite episode |title=Missing |episode-link=Missing (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 17, 2017 |season=5 |number=22}}</ref><ref name="Lian Yu ep">{{Cite episode |title=Lian Yu |episode-link=Lian Yu (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 24, 2017 |season=5 |number=23}}</ref> In the next season of ''Arrow'', Black Siren works with criminals Cayden James and Ricardo Diaz, and becomes a recurring menace for Team Arrow. On James's order, she kills Dinah Drake's (the 3rd Black Canary's) partner and ex-lover Vincent Sobel, leaving Dinah angry and vengeful.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Lindsay |date=February 1, 2018 |title=Arrow: Can Black Siren Still Be Redeemed? |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/arrow-recap-vigilante-vince-dead/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613005644/http://www.tvguide.com/news/arrow-recap-vigilante-vince-dead/ |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |access-date=March 20, 2019 |website=TV Guide}}</ref> Morally conflicted Earth-2 Laurel is persuaded and supported by her late Earth-1 counterpart's father Quentin Lance who remains optimistic about her redemption.<ref name="Doppelganger">{{Cite episode |title=Doppelgänger |episode-link=Doppelganger (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=March 8, 2018 |season=6 |number=15}}</ref> She eventually goes public with a cover story of being abducted for "two years" making people believe that she is Earth-1 Laurel.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=March 8, 2018 |title='Arrow' recap: Thea dons the hood again to save her man |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-6-episode-15/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623061743/http://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-6-episode-15/ |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |access-date=December 15, 2018}}</ref> In the season finale, Laurel is devastated when Quentin is shot and killed by Diaz while trying to save her.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=May 17, 2018 |title=Arrow finale recap: Oliver makes a huge sacrifice |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-6-finale/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726143536/http://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-6-finale/ |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |access-date=March 13, 2019}}</ref>
In season seven of ''Arrow'', Laurel takes on her Earth-1 counterpart's position as District Attorney and becomes an ally of Team Arrow.<ref name="Inmate 4587">{{Cite episode |title=Inmate 4587 |episode-link=Inmate 4587 (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 15, 2018 |season=7 |number=1}}</ref> She gains Felicity's trust and the duo start a crusade to kill Diaz, but both eventually overcome their vengeance.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=March 4, 2019 |title=Arrow recap: Oliver and Emiko hit some speed bumps on their first team-up |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-7-episode-14/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305131031/https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-7-episode-14/ |archive-date=March 5, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref> Laurel later learns from Ben Turner that Diaz was murdered in prison by Oliver's half-sister Emiko Queen,<ref name="Training Day">{{Cite episode |title=Training Day |episode-link=Training Day (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=March 11, 2019 |season=7 |number=15}}</ref> who tries to discredit Laurel by exposing her criminal past.<ref name="Inheritance">{{Cite episode |title=Inheritance |episode-link=Inheritance (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=March 25, 2019 |season=7 |number=17}}</ref> She briefly relapses into her Black Siren persona but Felicity, Dinah and Sara manage to stop and convince her. Laurel then goes back to Earth-2 in pursuit of full redemption and takes Earth-1 Laurel's Black Canary costume with her, given to her by Felicity.<ref name="Lost Canary">{{Cite episode |title=Lost Canary |episode-link=Lost Canary |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 15, 2019 |season=7 |number=18}}</ref> She later returns briefly to help the team battle Emiko and the Ninth Circle, now operating as the "Black Canary" of Earth-2.<ref name="You Have Saved This City">{{Cite episode |title=You Have Saved This City |episode-link=You Have Saved This City |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=May 13, 2019 |season=8 |number=22}}</ref> A brief flashforward set in 2040 shows a much-older Laurel working with a female vigilante group known as the "Canary Network", while helping a resistance movement against Galaxy One.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harrington |first=Delta |date=April 15, 2019 |title=Arrow Season 7 Episode 18 Review: Lost Canary |work=Den of Geek |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/arrow-season-7-episode-18-review-lost-canary/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416083757/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/arrow/280553/arrow-season-7-episode-18-review-lost-canary |archive-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref>
In the final season of ''Arrow'', Laurel encounters Oliver on Earth-2, where she is shown to be actively working as Black Canary alongside Earth-2 Adrian Chase / The Hood. She is also reunited with John Diggle and the group works together to stop "The Undertaking", orchestrated by Tommy Merlyn / Dark Archer of this Earth. As Earth-2 is destroyed by antimatter, Laurel escapes with Oliver and Diggle to Earth-1<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Starling City |episode-link=Starling City (Arrow episode) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 15, 2019 |season=8 |number=1}}</ref> where she learns that Oliver is working for a cosmic being called The Monitor, to save the multiverse from a forthcoming crisis. Laurel assists Oliver and Team Arrow for subsequent missions, leading them to places like Hong Kong,<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Welcome to Hong Kong |episode-link=Welcome to Hong Kong |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=October 22, 2019 |season=8 |number=2}}</ref> Russia<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Prochnost |episode-link=Prochnost |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=November 19, 2019 |season=8 |number=5}}</ref> and Lian Yu<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Purgatory |episode-link=Purgatory (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=December 3, 2019 |season=8 |number=7}}</ref>, where they encountering several past and future enemies in time-altering settings designed by Novu,<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Reset |episode-link=Reset (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=November 26, 2019 |season=8 |number=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Present Tense |episode-link=Present Tense (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=November 6, 2019 |season=8 |number=4}}</ref> leading to "Crisis on Infinite Earths".
=====Rebooted universe, future timeline===== Following the events of "Crisis on Infinite Earths", Laurel learns about Oliver's death and his role in rebooting the universe as the Spectre, resulting in a new universe in which several people including Quentin and Tommy, never died. She attends Oliver's funeral and learns from Tommy that her original Earth-1 counterpart had married him in this new universe but died later. At some point after the funeral, Laurel travels to the year 2040 in this new timeline to warn Oliver's daughter Mia Queen of an impending danger, and is reunited with Dinah Drake who is revealed to have been time-displaced since Oliver's funeral.<ref name="auto" />
== Other versions == * In the ''Legends of Tomorrow'' season one episode "Star City 2046", the Legends accidentally travel to Star City in a dystopian future timeline, where Sara learns that Laurel had either abandoned Star City or died.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dilip |first=Mangala |date=April 20, 2016 |title=Arrow Season 4 episode 19 spoilers: Laurel lives through 'Legends of Tomorrow,' 'The Flash' |work=International Business Times |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/arrow-season-4-episode-19-spoilers-laurel-lives-through-legends-tomorrow-flash-what-did-675529 |url-status=live |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016022300/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/arrow-season-4-episode-19-spoilers-laurel-lives-through-legends-tomorrow-flash-what-did-675529 |archive-date=October 16, 2016}}</ref> However, this future timeline is not connected to the flash-forwards shown in ''Arrow'' season seven and eight.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morrison |first=Matt |date=November 20, 2018 |title=Arrow: 10 Biggest Questions After Episode 4 "Level Two" |work=International Business Times |url=https://screenrant.com/arrow-season-7-episode-4-level-two-questions/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116030929/https://screenrant.com/arrow-season-7-episode-4-level-two-questions/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018}}</ref> It is later revealed in the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover that this future was on another earth in the multiverse, designated as Earth-16.<ref name="Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One">{{Cite episode |title=Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One |episode-link=Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse) |series=Supergirl |series-link=Supergirl (TV series) |network=The CW |date=December 8, 2019 |season=5 |number=9}}</ref> * A dream-state version of Laurel is seen in a simulated reality created by the Dominators in "Invasion!" (the 2016 crossover and also the 100th episode of ''Arrow''). In this reality, Oliver and Laurel are engaged and the pair never became the Green Arrow or the Black Canary.<ref name="Invasion">{{Cite episode |title=Invasion! |episode-link=Invasion! (Arrowverse) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=November 30, 2016 |season=5 |number=8}}</ref> Oliver and Sara bid farewell to Laurel before they escape from the reality. * In an alternate re-written reality shown in the ''Legends of Tomorrow'' episode "Doomworld", the Black Canary (implied to be Earth-1 Laurel) was killed by Legion of Doom, along with many other heroes.<ref name="Doomworld">{{Cite episode |title=Doomworld |episode-link=Doomworld |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=March 28, 2017 |season=2 |number=16}}</ref> * {{anchor|Laurel Lance (Arrowverse Earth-X) / Siren-X}}The Earth-X doppelgänger of Laurel Lance, known as "'''Siren-X'''", appears in ''The Flash'' season four episode "Fury Rogue". Siren-X is a metahuman assassin with echolocation powers and an ultrasonic scream (similar to Earth-2 Laurel). She is the last surviving member of the New Reichsmen army, who were defeated and killed during the events of the "Crisis on Earth-X" crossover. To avenge their deaths, Siren-X attacks Leo Snart and follows him to Earth-1 but with Barry's help, she is defeated and taken back to Earth-X to be imprisoned.<ref name="Siren-X 1">{{Cite episode |title=Fury Rogue |episode-link=Fury Rogue |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |network=The CW |date=April 24, 2018 |season=4 |number=19}}</ref> Her fate is unknown since "Crisis on Infinite Earths", where Earth-X is destroyed by the antimatter wave.<ref name="Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One" />
== Development == === Creation and casting === [[File:20120713 Katie Cassidy @ Comic-con cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Katie Cassidy at the ''Arrow'' panel, at San Diego Comic Con in 2012.]] In January 2012, after The CW ordered a television pilot for a potential Green Arrow series, its executive producers Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim developed the character of Dinah "Laurel" Lance, based on the Black Canary from DC Comics. The official character breakdown pitched Laurel as "a 28 years old, smart sexy, legal aid attorney determined to use her life as a one-woman war".<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2012 |title=The CW's [GREEN] ARROW: Let's Cast the Pilot! |url=https://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/01/24/green-arrow-pilot-scoop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519114611/https://www.thetvaddict.com/2012/01/24/green-arrow-pilot-scoop/ |archive-date=May 19, 2019 |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=TVAddict.com}}</ref> In February 2012, actress Katie Cassidy, who previously worked in shows like ''Melrose Place'' and ''Gossip Girl'' for The CW, was cast for the role.<ref name="Casting">{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 15, 2012 |title=Katie Cassidy Set As Female Lead in CW Pilot 'Arrow' |url=https://deadline.com/2012/02/katie-cassidy-set-as-female-lead-in-cw-pilot-arrow-231444/|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183854/https://deadline.com/2012/02/katie-cassidy-set-as-female-lead-in-cw-pilot-arrow-231444/ |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>
Regarding the differences between the characters on the show and in the comics, Warner Bros. Television president Peter Roth stated in an interview with ''TVLine'', "We are working very closely with DC. We are making sure that each of the original characters are honored, are respected, and any changes that we make are being made with the sanction and endorsement of DC."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=March 7, 2012 |title=CW's Arrow Pilot Likened to Jason Bourne Films |url=https://tvline.com/2012/03/07/cw-arrow-pilot-likened-to-jason-bourne-films/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224209/https://tvline.com/2012/03/07/cw-arrow-pilot-likened-to-jason-bourne-films/ |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |website=TVLine}}</ref> In an interview given in October 2012, Cassidy stated that she loved the script when she read it.<ref name="Katie Cassidy talks Arrow">{{Cite web |last=Radish |first=Christina |date=October 9, 2012 |title=Katie Cassidy Talks ARROW, Her Desire for Laurel to Take the Black Canary Path, the Character's Relationship with Oliver, and More |url=https://collider.com/katie-cassidy-arrow-interview-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112117/http://collider.com/katie-cassidy-arrow-interview-2/ |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |website=Collider}}</ref> She went on to say that, "It was everything that I wanted to get involved with, so I was beyond thrilled."<ref name="Katie Cassidy talks Arrow" />
{{blockquote|"Laurel, in the corporate world and as a lawyer, is so good at what she does. She makes stuff happen, in the business world. At some point, if and when the Black Canary happens, it's just awesome for a woman to get to kick some ass and fight, and just be as tough and bad-ass as Green Arrow, or whoever. I think it's cool, and I think it's fun. I cannot wait to do some fight training. It's going to be awesome!|Cassidy in 2012, on the possibility of Black Canary.<ref name="Katie Cassidy talks Arrow" />}}
=== Characterization === In DC Comics, Dinah Laurel Lance is one version of Black Canary, a superhero in her own right, and a love interest and eventual wife of the Green Arrow.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Annie |date=November 12, 2014 |title=Katie Cassidy stars as Black Canary in promo for 'Arrow' |work=United Press International |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2014/11/12/Katie-Cassidy-stars-as-Black-Canary-in-promo-for-Arrow/6061415824551/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402091657/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/TV/2014/11/12/Katie-Cassidy-stars-as-Black-Canary-in-promo-for-Arrow/6061415824551/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> However, the series takes a different route and introduces the character as a legal attorney and childhood friend of Oliver Queen, with whom she shares a romantic past. The character is known by her middle name, Laurel.<ref name="Casting" /> Oliver and Laurel's relationship is one of the key plots in season 1, as she initially blames him for cheating on her and causing her sister's death, but later forgives him and attempts to rekindle their relationship.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} thumb|left|upright=1.15|Caity Lotz and Katie Cassidy discussing their characters, at the ''Heroes and Villians Fan Fest'' in 2015. Laurel's sister Sara Lance, an original character developed for the series, is re-introduced in season 2 as a female vigilante known as the 'Canary' (portrayed by Caity Lotz, who replaces Jacqueline MacInnes Wood from season 1).<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 19, 2013 |title='Arrow's' Black Canary Role Goes To Caity Lotz, Not Katie Cassidy's Laurel Lance (REPORT) (UPDATES) |work=HuffPost |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arrow-black-canary-caity-lotz_n_3623822 |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402091659/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arrow-black-canary-caity-lotz_n_3623822 |archive-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> In an interview with ''TV Guide'', then-executive producer Andrew Kreisberg revealed that Lotz's character was the beginning of the Black Canary's story.<ref name="Arrow Boss on Black Canary">{{Cite news |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=July 19, 2013 |title=Arrow Boss Sets the Record Straight on Black Canary Casting |work=TV Guide |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/exclusive-arrow-boss-1068064/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402091658/https://www.tvguide.com/news/exclusive-arrow-boss-1068064/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> He further stated that, "Everyone knows that Laurel Lance is the Black Canary. But how we get from A to B is the story of our show – People will see how Caity Lotz fits into Laurel's journey along the way".<ref name="Arrow Boss on Black Canary" /> Sara's 'Canary' arc serves as a backstory for Laurel's eventual path to becoming the 'Black Canary', which is also a legacy moniker in the comics, and usually shown to be passed on from mother to daughter in most iterations of the character.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 30, 2013 |title=Black Canary On 'Arrow' |work=HuffPost |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black-canary-arrow_n_3677500 |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402093158/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black-canary-arrow_n_3677500 |archive-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Katie Cassidy on Legacy Heroes" /> Before assuming the mantle, Laurel's character goes through various personal tragedies in the first two seasons, such as losing her boyfriend Tommy,<ref name="Sacrifice ep" /> being kidnapped multiple times, dealing with her father's alcohol-addiction,<ref name="Darkness on the Edge of Town ep" /> and then her own addiction<ref name="League of Assassins ep" /> and finally witnessing her sister's murder in the season 3 premiere.<ref name="The Calm ep" /> In an interview dated January 2015, Katie Cassidy stated that, "You can't just overnight all of a sudden be a superhero. You have to go through things and hit your rock bottom and then be able to come out on top and build character and be strong."<ref name="Katie Cassidy on Legacy Heroes">{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=January 28, 2015 |title=Arrow's Katie Cassidy on Legacy Heroes, Training at 5 a.m. and Olicity Shippers |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/01/28/arrows-katie-cassidy-on-legacy-heroes-training-at-5-a-m-and-olic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628134818/http://comicbook.com/2015/01/28/arrows-katie-cassidy-on-legacy-heroes-training-at-5-a-m-and-olic |archive-date=June 28, 2018 |access-date=April 2, 2019 |website=ComicBook.com}}</ref>
=== Character death, "Multiverse" and return === In April 2016, during ''Arrow''{{'}}s fourth season, the character was killed off in the episode "Eleven-Fifty-Nine".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |date=April 6, 2016 |title='Arrow' Boss Explains Grave Shocker |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/arrow-laurel-dies-katie-cassidy-881297/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227181956/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrow-laurel-dies-katie-cassidy-881297 |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The-then showrunners and executive producers Marc Guggenheim and Wendy Mericle cited the decision to kill off Laurel as a "creative choice", at a press screening.<ref name="Death">{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=April 6, 2016 |title=Arrow bosses explain that shocking death from Eleven-Fifty-Nine |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/06/arrow-laurel-death-spoilers/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704050900/http://ew.com/article/2016/04/06/arrow-laurel-death-spoilers/ |archive-date=July 4, 2018 |access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref> They also stated that, "Death does not mean goodbye on any of these shows" hinting at a possible return for the character/actress.<ref name="Death" /> Cassidy mentioned in an interview that she learned about Laurel's fate only two episodes before shooting began on "Eleven-Fifty-Nine". However, she explained that, "I've had such an incredible arc, so it made sense to me, creatively, that we've told Laurel's story".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |date=April 6, 2016 |title=Arrow Star Hails 'Shock Value' of [Spoiler]'s Death, Says Emotional Goodbye Scene Was 'So Real' |url=https://tvline.com/2016/04/06/katie-cassidy-leaves-arrow-laurel-death-season-4-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222041951/https://tvline.com/2016/04/06/katie-cassidy-leaves-arrow-laurel-death-season-4-interview/ |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |website=TVLine}}</ref>
In May 2016, Cassidy appeared as Laurel Lance's Earth-2 doppelgänger known as Black Siren on ''The Flash'', which had already introduced the concept of "Multiverse" in its then-ongoing second season.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=April 6, 2016 |title=Arrow: Katie Cassidy to appear on The Flash, Vixen |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/04/arrow-katie-cassidy-flash-vixen/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121120727/https://ew.com/article/2016/04/04/arrow-katie-cassidy-flash-vixen/ |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref> The alias "Black Siren" serves as a callback to the Justice Guild of America member from the ''Justice League'' animated series who herself was based on the Golden Age Black Canary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yehl |first=Joshua |date=April 5, 2016 |title=The Flash to introduce Black Canary's Earth-2 counterpart |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/05/the-flash-to-introduce-black-canarys-earth-2-counterpart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152347/https://in.ign.com/the-flash-cw/90746/news/the-flash-to-introduce-black-canarys-earth-2-counterpart |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> In July 2016, Cassidy was promoted to a series regular across all Arrowverse shows, as part of a special contract that allowed actors to recur on multiple shows simultaneously,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=July 23, 2016 |title=Arrow's Katie Cassidy Now a Series Regular Across All CW Hero Shows |url=https://tvline.com/2016/07/23/arrow-katie-cassidy-series-regular-flash-legends-of-tomorrow/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130123301/https://tvline.com/2016/07/23/arrow-katie-cassidy-series-regular-flash-legends-of-tomorrow/ |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |website=TVLine}}</ref> previously signed by fellow actors Wentworth Miller and John Barrowman. In March 2017, it was announced that the actress would return to ''Arrow'' full-time for its sixth season and portray the Earth-2 Laurel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |date=March 27, 2017 |title=Arrow': Katie Cassidy Returning as Series Regular – With a Twist |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/arrow-season-6-katie-cassidy-series-regular-black-siren-989037/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112211/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrow-season-6-katie-cassidy-series-regular-black-siren-989037 |archive-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref> Towards the end of ''Arrow'' season seven, Earth-2 Laurel eventually finds redemption and takes up the mantle of Black Canary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jenna |date=April 16, 2019 |title='Arrow' EP Confirms Katie Cassidy Rodgers Will Return in Final Season |url=https://comicbook.com/2019/04/16/arrow-season-8-spoilers-laurel-lance-black-canary-katie-cassidy-/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420204839/https://comicbook.com/2019/04/16/arrow-season-8-spoilers-laurel-lance-black-canary-katie-cassidy-/ |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2019 |website=ComicBook.com}}</ref> Regarding the character's new costume in season eight, Cassidy stated in an interview, "It really truly feels like the Black Canary. It feels like Laurel Lance. It feels almost truer to the comic book than we've seen, and I think that's really cool. I wish I had it sooner".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruymann |first=Jay |date=October 13, 2019 |title='Arrow' star Katie Cassidy-Rodgers hopes Laurel follows through on her promise to be a hero |url=https://www.hypable.com/katie-cassidy-arrow-season-8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016181431/https://www.hypable.com/katie-cassidy-arrow-season-8/ |archive-date=October 16, 2019 |access-date=October 16, 2019 |website=Hypable}}</ref>
=== Spin-off === In August 2019, ''Newsarama'' reported that Katie Cassidy had pitched a ''Birds of Prey'' spin-off to the network. When asked about her previous interest in the team, Cassidy said, "I've pitched it. I think they should. It's time for women".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Calamia |first1=Kat |last2=Arrant |first2=Chris |date=August 19, 2019 |title=BIRDS OF PREY Show Pitched to CW |url=https://www.newsarama.com/46569-birds-of-prey-show-pitched-to-cw.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821134121/https://www.newsarama.com/46569-birds-of-prey-show-pitched-to-cw.html |archive-date=August 21, 2019 |access-date=October 2, 2019 |website=Newsarama}}</ref> In September 2019, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' confirmed that The CW were developing a female-led spin-off series, with Katherine McNamara, Cassidy and Juliana Harkavy as the leads, reprising their roles from ''Arrow'',<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Rick |last2=Goldberg |first2=Lesley |date=September 24, 2019 |title='Arrow': Female-Led Spinoff in the Works at The CW |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/arrow-female-led-spinoff-works-at-cw-1242882/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925040602/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrow-female-led-spinoff-works-at-cw-1242882 |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> titled ''Green Arrow and the Canaries''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Damore |first=Meagan |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Green Arrow & the Canaries Pilot Announces Start of Filming with Video |url=https://www.cbr.com/green-arrow-the-canaries-pilot-filming-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030101626/https://www.cbr.com/green-arrow-the-canaries-pilot-filming-video/ |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |website=CBR}}</ref> However, the series was ultimately not picked up by The CW.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 8, 2021 |title='Arrow' Spinoff 'Green Arrow and The Canaries' Not Going Forward At the CW, 'The 100' Prequel Still Alive |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/arrow-spinoff-green-arrow-and-the-canaries-dead-not-going-forward-the-cw-the-100-prequel-tbd-still-alive-1234667542/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108205214/https://deadline.com/2021/01/arrow-spinoff-green-arrow-and-the-canaries-dead-not-going-forward-the-cw-the-100-prequel-tbd-still-alive-1234667542/ |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>
== Reception == === Critical reception === The character received mixed response from the critics during initial seasons of ''Arrow''.<ref name="Arrow season 2 review" /> David Hinckley of ''New York Daily News'' wrote, "Cassidy starts off well and is likely to get better as Laurel starts to figure things out", in his review of the pilot episode.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wickline |first=Dan |date=October 10, 2012 |title=TV Review: 'Arrow' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tv-review-arrow-article-1.1178324 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002038/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tv-review-arrow-article-1.1178324?localLinksEnabled=false |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> Other critics wrote Laurel as "a scrappy legal aid attorney"<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNamara |first=Mary |date=October 10, 2012 |title=Review: The CW's 'Arrow' right on target with a riveting superhero |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2012-oct-10-la-et-st-arrow-20121010-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403070424/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-xpm-2012-oct-10-la-et-st-arrow-20121010-story.html |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> or "plainly a good girl".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuchs |first=Cynthia |date=October 10, 2012 |title='Arrow': Today's Preferred Superhero, Self-Righteous and Rich |url=https://www.popmatters.com/164154-arrow-todays-preferred-superhero-self-righteous-and-rich-2495807409.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001956/https://www.popmatters.com/164154-arrow-todays-preferred-superhero-self-righteous-and-rich-2495807409.html |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |website=PopMatters}}</ref> Laurel's character was often compared to Rachel Dawes from Christopher Nolan's ''The Dark Knight Trilogy'', with some critics calling Laurel as ''Arrow''{{'}}s version of Dawes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carp |first=Jesse |date=May 20, 2014 |title=Arrow Watch: Series Premiere – Pilot |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Arrow-Watch-Series-Premiere-Pilot-48007.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512071056/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Arrow-Watch-Series-Premiere-Pilot-48007.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |access-date=May 12, 2019 |website=CinemaBlend}}</ref> Jesse Schedeen of ''IGN'' included the character among "hit and miss" characters in his ''Arrow'' season one review.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=May 20, 2013 |title=Arrow: Season 1 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/20/arrow-season-1-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002201/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/20/arrow-season-1-review |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |website=IGN}}</ref> Shunal Doke of the same website criticized Cassidy's portrayal for making the character "unlikable" but appreciated the motivations behind the character and wrote her as "eventually proving worthy of becoming a costumed heroine."<ref name="Arrow season 2 review">{{Cite web |last=Doke |first=Shunal |date=May 20, 2014 |title=Arrow: Season 2 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/19/arrow-season-2-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224001946/https://in.ign.com/entertainment/59076/review/arrow-season-2-review |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref>
The critical response towards the character improved in subsequent seasons.<ref name="Season 3 Review">{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=May 14, 2015 |title=Arrow: "My Name is Oliver Queen" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/14/arrow-my-name-is-oliver-queen-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925115209/http://in.ign.com/my-name-is-oliver-queen/75802/review/arrow-my-name-is-oliver-queen-review |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |website=IGN}}</ref> In ''IGN''{{'}}s review of season three finale, Schedeen praised Laurel's team-up with Nyssa and wrote, "It seems Laurel has finally graduated to the big leagues, and she didn't even need to rely on her Canary Cry."<ref name="Season 3 Review" /> Writing for ''Entertainment Weekly'', Chancellor Agard observed in his review of season three, that "Laurel, who was once the show's biggest problem, came into her own this season".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=May 14, 2015 |title=Arrow season 3 finale recap: My Name is Oliver Queen |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-3-finale/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402204819/https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-3-finale/ |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref> In his review of season four episode "Eleven-Fifty-Nine", Schedeen called Laurel's death a "huge emotional moment" and her final conversation with Oliver as Cassidy's finest moments on the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=May 20, 2013 |title=Arrow: "Eleven-Fifty-Nine" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/07/arrow-eleven-fifty-nine-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002213/https://in.ign.com/eleven-fifty-nine/90931/review/arrow-eleven-fifty-nine-review |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> Writing for ''TV Overmind'', Andy Behbakht criticized the decision to kill off Laurel, feeling the character was underutilized and "The Black Canary was in many ways one of ''Arrow''{{'s}} big hearts and seeing the show losing that character, makes the series lose a lot of its remaining magic".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Behbakht |first=Andy |date=April 7, 2016 |title=Arrow Season 4 Episode 18 Review: "Eleven-Fifty Nine" |url=https://www.tvovermind.com/arrow-season-4-episode-18-review-eleven-fifty-nine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118164051/https://www.tvovermind.com/arrow-season-4-episode-18-review-eleven-fifty-nine/ |archive-date=January 18, 2019 |access-date=February 25, 2019 |website=TV Overmind}}</ref> Eric Francisco of ''Inverse'' called the decision "a bold move that would have been a good one for the show... if it had been handled with delicate care. But ''Arrow'' is not delicate."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Francisco |first=Eric |date=April 28, 2016 |title='Arrow' Mourns Black Canary While We Mourn Its Terrible Decisions |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/14936-arrow-mourns-black-canary-while-we-mourn-its-terrible-decisions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403082905/https://www.inverse.com/article/14936-arrow-mourns-black-canary-while-we-mourn-its-terrible-decisions |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=April 5, 2019 |website=Inverse}}</ref> Laurel's death also drew criticism from many fans, prompting an online backlash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardingham-Gill |first=Tamara |date=April 8, 2016 |title=Arrow fans left fuming as a major character is killed off |url=https://metro.co.uk/2016/04/08/arrow-killed-off-a-major-character-and-fans-are-fuming-5804439/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613031056/http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/08/arrow-killed-off-a-major-character-and-fans-are-fuming-5804439/ |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2019 |website=Metro}}</ref>
The Earth-2 version of the character – Black Siren received positive reviews.<ref name="Invincible Review">{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=May 17, 2016 |title=The Flash: "Invincible" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/18/the-flash-invincible-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002213/https://in.ign.com/eleven-fifty-nine/90931/review/arrow-eleven-fifty-nine-review |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Arrow: "Lost Canary" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/16/arrow-season-7-episode-18-lost-canary-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419182713/https://in.ign.com/lost-canary/134169/review/arrow-season-7-episode-18-lost-canary-review |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=October 22, 2019 |title=Arrow: Season 8, Episode 2 – "Welcome to Hong Kong" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |website=IGN |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023231853/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=October 22, 2019 |title='Arrow' recap: Grieving the destruction of an Earth |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025194449/https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Angelica Jade Bastién of ''Vulture'' wrote in her review that, "''The Flash'' better serves Laurel than ''Arrow'' did in several seasons – Black Siren has swagger".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bastién |first=Angelica Jade |date=May 18, 2016 |title=The Flash Recap: Metapocalypse |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/05/flash-recap-season-2-episode-22.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225162228/https://www.vulture.com/2016/05/flash-recap-season-2-episode-22.html |archive-date=February 25, 2019 |access-date=February 25, 2019 |website=Vulture}}</ref> Schedeen also praised the character and wrote, "It was refreshing to see Cassidy cut loose and play a twisted version of her character".<ref name="Invincible Review">{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=May 17, 2016 |title=The Flash: "Invincible" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/18/the-flash-invincible-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002213/https://in.ign.com/eleven-fifty-nine/90931/review/arrow-eleven-fifty-nine-review |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> The ''Arrow'' season seven episode "Lost Canary" focuses primarily on Earth-2 Laurel's eventual redemption, which mainly garnered positive reviews. Scheeden wrote in his review, "We see Laurel at her best and truly embodying the redemption being Black Canary offers."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Arrow: "Lost Canary" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/04/16/arrow-season-7-episode-18-lost-canary-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419182713/https://in.ign.com/lost-canary/134169/review/arrow-season-7-episode-18-lost-canary-review |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> Season 8 episode "Welcome to Hong Kong" sees Laurel deal with the fallout of her home world's destruction. In his review, Schedeen wrote, "...this version of the character has never been more sympathetic or identifiable than when confronting the death of a world where she finally found happiness. Her ultimate decision to bounce back and continue saving the living in order to honor the dead feels like the culmination of a major arc for this character."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=October 22, 2019 |title=Arrow: Season 8, Episode 2 – "Welcome to Hong Kong" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |website=IGN |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023231853/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |url-status=live }}</ref> Chancellor Agard of ''Entertainment Weekly'' said, "Overall, I loved Laurel in this episode more than anything else. The exploration of Laurel's grief over the loss of Earth-2 is some of the best material Cassidy has ever had on the show and yields one of her best performances."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=October 22, 2019 |title='Arrow' recap: Grieving the destruction of an Earth |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025194449/https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>
=== Accolades === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |- style="text-align:center;" ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominee ! Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- |2013 |Teen Choice Awards |Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Katie Cassidy |{{nom}} | style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners of "Teen Choice 2014" announced |url=http://www.teenchoiceawards.com/tcnews.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007015712/http://www.teenchoiceawards.com/tcnews.aspx |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2013 |website=Teen Choice News}}</ref> |- |2015 |PRISM Awards |Performance in a Drama Multi-Episode Storyline | Katie Cassidy |{{won}} | style="text-align: center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015 |title=Winners |url=http://www.prismawards.com/winners-nominees/2015-2/winners/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190404051721/http://www.prismawards.com/winners-nominees/2015-2/winners/ |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=July 16, 2015 |website=PRISM Awards}}</ref> |}
== In other media == === Print media === *The Earth-1 version of the character appears in the season one digital tie-in comic series ''Arrow'',<ref>See ''Arrow'' (TV series)#''Arrow'' (2012–13)</ref> and also in ''Arrow: Season 2.5,'' a bi-weekly digital comic series that bridged the gap between seasons two and three.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Truitt |first=Brian |date=September 1, 2014 |title='Arrow' digital comic aims to set up new TV season |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/09/01/arrow-season-25-comic-book/14925127/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121175156/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/09/01/arrow-season-25-comic-book/14925127/ |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=USA Today}}</ref> *Both the Earth-1 and Earth-2 versions of Laurel are mentioned in the tie-in novel ''Arrow: Fatal Legacies'', co-authored by Marc Guggenheim and James R. Tuck, which bridged the gap between the seasons five and six of ''Arrow''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wickline |first=Dan |date=August 12, 2017 |title=Marc Guggenheim To Write Novel Connecting Arrow Seasons 5 and 6 |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/08/12/marc-guggenheim-arrow-novel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201050310/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/08/12/marc-guggenheim-arrow-novel/ |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |website=Bleeding Cool}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Guggenheim |first1=Marc |title=Arrow: Fatal Legacies |title-link=Arrow: Fatal Legacies |last2=Tuck |first2=James R. |date=January 30, 2018 |publisher=Titan Books |isbn=978-1-78329-521-0 |author-link=Marc Guggenheim}}</ref>
=== Web media === ==== ''Vixen'' ==== Cassidy provided the voice for the Earth-1 version of her character in the second season of the CW Seed Arrowverse animated web series ''Vixen''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=David |first=Valerie |date=November 6, 2016 |title=Black Canary Appears on Vixen Animated Series |url=https://screenrant.com/black-canary-vixen-animated/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232623/https://screenrant.com/black-canary-vixen-animated/ |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=Screen Rant}}</ref> In the story, Laurel (Black Canary) provides assistance to Mari McCabe (Vixen), along with Ray Palmer (Atom), in capturing Mari's sister Kuasa in Star City. They later help Mari in combating former warlord Benatu Eshu in Detroit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mueller |first=Matthew |date=November 4, 2016 |title=Black Canary Returns To Arrowverse on Vixen |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2016/11/04/black-canary-returns-to-arrowverse-on-vixen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428012220/https://comicbook.com/dc/2016/11/04/black-canary-returns-to-arrowverse-on-vixen/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=ComicBook.com}}</ref>
The Blu-ray and DVD re-release of the first two seasons was combined into a single story as ''Vixen: The Movie''. It added fifteen minutes of never-before-seen content, including a few scenes of Earth-1 Laurel that were not included in the CW Seed release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trumbone |first=Dave |date=February 23, 2017 |title=CW Seed's Animated 'Vixen' Series Coming to Blu-ray as 'Vixen: The Movie' |url=https://collider.com/vixen-movie-bluray/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312040403/http://collider.com/vixen-movie-bluray/ |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=Collider}}</ref> The third season of ''Legends of Tomorrow'' ultimately changes the continuity of ''Vixen'', resulting in an altered timeline where Mari McCabe now shares the 'Vixen' mantle with Kuasa. It is unclear to what capacity the events of ''Vixen'' season 2 get affected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drum |first=Nicole |date=April 9, 2018 |title='Legends of Tomorrow' Makes a Major Change to the Arrowverse's Vixen |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/04/10/legends-of-tomorrow-season-3-finale-vixen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428012214/https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/04/10/legends-of-tomorrow-season-3-finale-vixen/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |website=ComicBook.com}}</ref>
==== ''The Chronicles of Cisco'' ==== The Earth-1 version was mentioned in ''The Chronicles of Cisco'' Post 9 "Chapter Seven: Hannibal Bates",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramon |first=Cisco |author-link=Cisco Ramon (Arrowverse) |date=April 27, 2015 |title=Everyman |url=http://chroniclesofcisco.tumblr.com/post/117547331700/everyman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209014107/http://chroniclesofcisco.tumblr.com/post/117547331700/everyman |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=The Chronicles of Cisco |publisher=Tumblr}}</ref> and a video footage of the Earth-2 Laurel is seen in Post 40.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramon |first=Cisco |author-link=Cisco Ramon (Arrowverse) |date=May 23, 2016 |title=We scientists get hot for patterns. It's how we... |url=http://chroniclesofcisco.tumblr.com/post/144814469370/we-scientists-get-hot-for-patterns-its-how-we |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209015613/http://chroniclesofcisco.tumblr.com/post/144814469370/we-scientists-get-hot-for-patterns-its-how-we |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |access-date=March 2, 2019 |website=The Chronicles of Cisco |publisher=Tumblr}}</ref> The Earth-X version was mentioned in Post 79 "#BestListenerEver".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramon |first=Cisco |author-link=Cisco Ramon (Arrowverse) |date=April 25, 2018 |title=Post 79 "#BestListenerEver" |url=https://chroniclesofcisco.tumblr.com/post/173298902810/look-theres-no-way-around-it-things-have-been |access-date=August 17, 2020 |website=The Chronicles of Cisco |publisher=Tumblr |archive-date=May 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516015601/https://chroniclesofcisco.tumblr.com/post/173298902810/look-theres-no-way-around-it-things-have-been |url-status=live }}</ref>
== See also == *Black Canary in other media *List of ''Arrow'' characters *List of Arrowverse cast members
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Arrow (TV series)}} {{Arrowverse}} {{Black Canary}}
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