Echo Kellum Interview: ‘Arrow’ Season 5 and Mr. Terrific

Arrow star Echo Kellum
Echo Kellum from ‘Arrow’ at Comic Con 2016 Comic Con 2016 (Photo © Richard Chavez / Showbiz Junkies)

The CW’s Arrow will definitely be introducing Mr. Terrific in season five. Echo Kellum who plays Curtis Holt in the series confirmed he will be taking on the role of Mr. Terrific in the upcoming season. Kellum was among the Arrow cast members who made the trek to the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con where the season five sizzle reel proved Curtis is now an important member of #TeamArrow.

During roundtable interviews in support of the new season, Kellum discussed how long he’s known he’ll be playing Mr. Terrific and what’s going on with Curtis and Felicity’s friendship now that she’s been fired from Palmer Tech.

The CW will premiere Arrow season five on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT.

Echo Kellum Interview:

What will Curtis’ relationship be like with Felicity in season five?

Echo Kellum: “I think that they are best friends. They’re really, really, really good friends. They confide in each other, are there for each other in hard times, and they have a great working relationship…even though she got fired last season. But, yeah, they still definitely have each other’s back and are very supportive of each other. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) looks out for Curtis in so many ways and he’ll definitely reciprocate that for her.”

Are we going to see any more about the T-Spheres this coming season? They’re a big part of your character’s backstory in the comics.

Echo Kellum: “Yeah. I mean, Mr. Terrific is coming this season for sure. He’s definitely going to make an appearance. I think we’re going to dive into that, whether it’s T-Spheres or just really getting more tech that he creates. I think Wendy (Mericle) did an article where she was talking about if Felicity’s the software, Curtis is the hardware. He’s really an engineer at heart. He loves creating different technology. We’ll definitely be diving into that and also getting out in the field, so it will be a lot of fun.”

When you were first joining the cast were the auditions really secretive?

Echo Kellum: “Yeah, it was like Codename Something and I think the name was Barry or something. I’m like, ‘Barry? Okay.’ But I went in and auditioned for David Rapaport originally and from the jump he was like, ‘Man, I think you and Emily could have something special together. I really like how you’re playing it. You’ve got something that could be great.’ I went in with the producers and they agreed with that assessment and they let me know at the end of the audition, ‘Hey, by the way, this is Mr. Terrific. He’s a superhero.’ It was so cool. And then they called me a couple of days later and it was like, ‘Do you want to play this part?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, absolutely!’

But it was such a fun experience. I mean, the dialogue that he has is so challenging but rewarding to get it out, you know, because it’s so smart and the jargon and all that. I don’t know how Emily does it every episode but I guess I’m kind of learning that now. But, yeah, I was so thrilled to be able to play such an in-depth, cool character.”

At the end of last season, Curtis was sometimes in awe of what he was experiencing, but he also spoke his mind when he had something to contribute. As Mr. Terrific, going forward will he still be in awe of new things he’s discovering?

Echo Kellum: “I think it’s a little bit of both but it probably leans heavier on the latter where he’s really getting out his perspective and calling stuff out when it doesn’t seem right. Really being his own man, you know? I really look forward to everybody getting to see kind of what we’re really getting into this season because I think it’s going to be so much fun to watch the season and see his growth and development. And also we’re really getting back to basics on the show. We’re really kicking ass and taking names so I wait for you to see it.”

Watch the full Echo Kellum interview:

(Interview by Fred Topel. Article by Rebecca Murray.)