While Marvel comics have enjoyed success on the big screen over the years, their counterpart DC Comics has similarly found success on the small screen. The company’s most notable two shows have been Arrow and The Flash, both of which have enjoyed critical and commercial success on The CW. The world that the two shows have created led to the announcement that the channel was developing a new spinoff series that would be set in the same universe. Now the as-yet-untitled series has cast its first two original characters, as the creators have tapped Doctor Who‘s Arthur Darvill to play Rip Hunter and newcomer Ciara Renée to play Hawkgirl.
The duo will be joining a number of already-established characters and castmembers from both shows, as the series has already confirmed the casting of Brandon Routh, Wentworth Miller, Victor Garber, Dominic Purcell, and Caity Lotz in the spinoff. Of the group, speculation lies only in which character Lotz will be playing.
Renée has performed previously on Broadway, and was seen on television in a guest turn on Law and Order: SVU. She will be playing Kendra Saunders, and this is how Deadline describes this incarnation of the character.
In the new series, Saunders is a young woman who is just beginning to learn that she has been repeatedly reincarnated over the centuries. When provoked, her ancient warrior persona manifests itself, along with wings that grow out of her back, earning her the moniker Hawkgirl.
The casting description that preceded Renée’s selection for the role provides some more detail.
“FEMALE WARRIOR” |This twentysomething Latina is pretty but unassuming, book smart and socially awkward by day. But by night, when she hears the cry of battle, her fury is ignited and she becomes a fierce warrior — so much so, that sometimes she can become a threat to others.
Arthur Darvill is a familiar name to science fiction fans, as he portrayed Rory Williams, husband to Amy Pond and travelling companion to the Eleventh Doctor, over the course of three seasons on Doctor Who. Darvill has also been seen on the big screen in 2010’s Robin Hood, and most recently on the ITV series Broadchurch. This is how Deadline describes the show’s version of Rip Hunter.
Rip Hunter, described as a roguish time traveler who hides the strains of being responsible for history itself behind a facade of charm and wit…
The casting description for the character that appears to have been Rip Hunter that was sent out a few weeks ago goes as follows.
“THE TRAVELER” | Described as a “Han Solo-esque rogue who gets by with his charm, this hero hails from the future, and has journeyed back in time on a secret mission. His razor-sharp wit hides the pain of a man who has lived through serious conflict. He also harbors many secrets, always leaving both his teammates and the audience unsure of his true allegiances.
The third role of a “mystery hero” has yet to be cast.