There are about to be a couple of extra bunks available on the Waverider. Deadline reports that Brandon Routh and Courtney Ford are leaving the show as series regulars. That leaves Sarah and Mick as the final remaining members of the original crew from Season 1.
Routh began playing Ray Palmer on Arrow, before moving to Legends of Tomorrow, and has been a major part of the show since day one. Ford, who plays Nora Darhk, first appeared in Season 3 and was promoted to a series regular in Season 4. So, with these two characters having a relationship on the show, what does this mean? The report says that this was a creative decision to wrap up their story. Does this mean a happy ending for Ray and Nora?
Good news is, they are not going away entirely. Executive Producers Phil Klemmer, Grianne Godfree and Keto Shimizu said, “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.”
I’ll admit, Routh is one of the things I loved the most about Legends. He was such a part of the group dynamic, and my favorite goofball quite frankly. It’s hard to imagine Legends without him, but I am interested to see what direction the show will take with his and Ford’s exits. For anyone who didn’t know, Routh and Ford are married in real life as well.
In another statement to Deadline, Routh said, “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. I’m saddened to see Ray’s journey end for now but wish my Legends family well.” Ford also added, “Nora Darhk is very close to my heart. 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.”
They will film their final episodes in October, with the show returning in January. Routh will appear as Kingdom Come Superman before that in the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.
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