New Details on ARROW Season 5’s Big Bad, Mr. Terrific, The Impact of Black Canary’s Death and More

Arrow will hold its San Diego Comic-Con panel on Saturday, where we should learn much more about the show’s fifth season. For now, though, we have a few new hints on what to expect next season.

Speaking with TV Guide (via Comic Book Resources), executive producer Wendy Mericle discussed Arrow‘s still-unnamed big bad for season five. This villain was “unwittingly” created by Oliver Queen back in season one, when he was killing people as the Hood. Mericle says, “This guy is going to be collateral damage who lost someone to the Hood and [has] spent the last several years training and plotting for revenge. He will be a true dark mirror to Oliver Queen.”

The villain won’t be Oliver’s only force of opposition, though. When we return next season, Star City will have been overrun by crime. Additionally, we will see a “real origin story” for Curtis Holt, who will become Mr. Terrific, while a new bunker with multiple levels will be installed.

Arguably the most controversial decision from Arrow‘s fourth season was the death of Laurel Lance, aka the Black Canary. While Mericle can’t go into detail on how this casualty will affect the show next season, she offers a cryptic hint. “I can say with confidence that, in Season 5, our decision will make more sense… even to the fans who were really vehemently opposed to it.” Additionally, we’ll finally get to learn Laurel’s final words to Oliver in the season premiere.

For more on Arrow, be sure to pick up the latest issue of TV Guide.

Arrow returns on Wednesday, October 5th at 8 PM EST on The CW.