Arrow’s Stephen Amell shares a heartfelt farewell to his co-star Emily Bett Rickards

Amell took to Instagram to share how much he appreciates Rickards as a co-worker and friend.

Oliver and Felicity

Stephen Amell has given an emotional goodbye to his Arrow co-star Emily Bett Rickards, two days after the actress announced her exit from The CW series ahead of its eighth and final season.

In an Instagram post, Amell took a trip down memory lane and shared how much he appreciates Rickards as a co-worker and friend.

“For me… August 3rd, 2012 is the most important day in the history of our show. It was the first day I worked with Emily,” wrote Amell, alongside a photo of him with Rickards. “Her energy and the vibrancy she gave to Felicity Smoak is only surpassed by what she personally gave to me. She was a co-worker that became a best friend. So on the first day of our last episode together, I’d like everyone to know how deeply I appreciate the past seven years. EmBett… We wouldn’t be here without you. I love you. And I cannot wait to see what you do next.”

Rickards announced her exit from the show last week. “Felicity and I are a very tight two, but after one through seven we will be saying goodbye to you,” the actress wrote on Instagram last March 30th. “I thank you all for the time we’ve shared … I will keep her in my heart for always, and I hope that you can too because she would not be alive if it weren’t for all of you.”

Following Rickards’ announcement, series co-creator Greg Berlanti and showrunner Beth Schwartz released a joint statement stating that they are “heartbroken” to see Rickards go.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily since Season 1 and in those past seven years she has brought one of TV’s most beloved characters to life,” Berlanti and Schwartz said. “And although we’re heartbroken to see both Emily and Felicity leave the show, we’re completely supportive of Emily and her future endeavors. She will always have a family at ‘Arrow.’”

Marc Guggenheim, who executive produce the series with Berlanti and Schwartz, also bid farewell to Rickards. In a tweet, Guggenheim shared how Rickard’s supposed “one-off” appearance made her a regular cast member on the series.

Arrow’s final season will consist of a reduced order of 10 episodes and will air in the fall during the 2019-2020 broadcast calendar.

Source: Deadline