‘Arrow’ 100th episode reaction: Why no Manu Bennett, Colin Donnell, or Colton Haynes?

Coming out of the 100th episode of “Arrow,” we understand you having a few questions about some of the former cast members who didn’t end up making it into the episode. It wasn’t for a lack of trying. Instead, this is just how the cookie crumbled in some cases because of scheduling and other concerns.

Specifically, we know for sure that producers tried to get back both Colton Haynes (Roy Harper) and Colin Donnell (Tommy Merlyn) for some sort of appearance, but they couldn’t make it happen because of scheduling. Both have been working elsewhere, and there was even a really delightful reference to Donnell’s other job in “Chicago Med” in here to further explain away where Tommy was rather than at Oliver and Laurel’s rehearsal dinner — apparently, he was off working as a top doctor in the Windy City.

Speaking to TVLine, here’s what executive producer Marc Guggenheim specifically had to say about these two absences, and how there were scenes featuring the two characters that didn’t happen just because their schedules couldn’t be coordinated:

“[There were things] that we, obviously, just couldn’t do because of Colin and Colton’s availabilities. For example, Roy was going to be Thea’s boyfriend — that hadn’t changed — and they met when he stole her purse.”

As for Manu Bennett a.k.a. Slade Wilson, that’s the biggest mystery of all. Deathstroke was present in the episode, but he never removed his mask and Bennett was in New Zealand at the time of the 100th episode filming. There could be several reasons why this didn’t happen, whether it be budgetary, schedule-based, or a sentiment that there wouldn’t really be anything for him to do and they could just use a double in the costume. It’s already been well-reported that Bennett wasn’t thrilled with the way his character was handled back in season 3 (the same episode that the photo above is taken from), but we can’t say that this had anything to do with why he wasn’t around.

We don’t know who else was asked to appear in the episode, but Katrina Law (Nyssa) is working “Training Day” for CBS. Meanwhile, Matt Nable (Ra’s al Ghul) may have been promoting “Hacksaw Ridge” at the time in addition to several other film commitments.

We’ll have a full review for tonight’s big episode up shortly over at the link here! (Photo: The CW.)