After being Taken in the Liam Neeson thriller of the same name, surviving the wrath of a seasonal serial killer in Black Christmas, but succumbing to the killer instincts of Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare On Elm Street, Katie Cassidy‘s film career may not have always seen her make it to the final credits, but she made sure she was always a character you remembered.
On television, she’s more a formidable presence, having survived 8 seasons of the hit series Arrow, based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow. As Black Canary (and Black Siren) – there’s that fighting spirit – Cassidy has cemented herself as comic royalty, which has brought her to our shores as part of this year’s Supanova Comic Con & Gaming convention. As she gears up for the Melbourne crowds this weekend, Peter Gray spoke with the actress about surviving the show, her relationship with horror, and the power of the fan base.
Before I get to anything else I’m going to say that you have been a part of my Christmas tradition of watching Black Christmas every year for the last, at least, 10 years. I love that movie unashamedly, so thank you for that.
That is so funny. I love that you said that. You watch it every year?
I love it. It’s batshit crazy!
Oh my god, it is batshit crazy. Yes. I love it. That’s exactly what it is (laughs).
It got me thinking how horror films treated you quite well when you were starting your acting career. Was that ever a genre you saw yourself flourishing in?
It’s interesting (because) not at first. I moved out when I had just turned 18, and my mom said to me “You’re not going to go to college. You’re going to try and be an actor.” I had done a little bit of work, and I had been a model just as I was graduating high school. She knew I had to make it on my own. I’m very proud of the fact that I am self made. I don’t really know why, but the horror genre was just something I was getting cast in a lot. And I knew I needed to make a living. I love horror films, so I was just excited to be cast and be a part of movie making. Or re-making, because, as you said, Black Christmas, and then there was When A Stranger Calls and (A Nightmare On) Elm Street. I’ve been in all the remakes (laughs). It’s a fun genre.
Do you find the horror fanbase and the comic book fanbase, given you’re part of the “Arrow-verse”, crossover in their enthusiasm?
Absolutely. The comic book world and that genre of action and suspense all live (together). When I go to these conventions and I meet these fans who are not only fans of Arrow, but of Black Christmas or Elm Street, or whatever it might be, it’s this general camaraderie. It’s such an honour to portray someone as iconic as Black Canary (in Arrow), so it’s just amazing to meet fans who appreciate your work. They come from all over the world to meet me, and I’m so appreciative. It’s really awesome.
With Arrow, did you know it was going to happen regarding your character dying? And did you think you were done? Or them asking you back was always on the cards?
It all was a surprise. I remember at the beginning of Season 4, everyone was afraid of asking “Who’s in the grave?” And I was, like, “No one. None of us. No one is in the grave!” (laughs). Cut to whatever episode it was (laughs), and I tried to block that part out. A few weeks before the episode I got the phone call about (the producers) wanting to have a conversation. They were wondering my availability for the next week, and I was like, “Hmmm, nope, I’m not waiting until next week” (laughs). I am a bit clairvoyant and I kind of thought it wasn’t going to be a good conversation, so I just asked “Am I in the grave?” I had good instincts (laughs).
That was a really difficult call, and I didn’t know if I was going to be brought back. I was so sad, by the way, this was my family, this was a show I gave my blood, sweat and tears to. My heart and soul. I didn’t want to, but I understood from a producer perspective (because) if you kill a main character it gives the other characters a launching pad to react. They all down spiralled, so it’s good for storytelling. And then (producer) Andrew Kreisberg called me and asked, “Hey, how would you feel about coming onto The Flash as Black Siren, the doppelganger?” Yes! I would love that. That’s so cool. I was so excited. And I had so much fun with that character, and then (producer) Marc Guggenheim was like, “We want to bring you back to Arrow, because the fans aren’t very happy.”
I had the pleasure of speaking to your Arrow co-star Stephen Amell, and he commented on how the Australian convention crowds are a thoughtful bunch. To you, how do we compare to the American crowds? Are we a different breed?
Oh my god! Well, yes. Not to say people in America aren’t lovely (laughs), but you really are so kind and so genuine. I love being here, I love doing conventions here. People are so giving. Always cute little gifts, and I’ve been given a lot of Tim Tams, so don’t think I haven’t been doing Tim Tam slams (laughs). The fans are fantastic here. You guys are amazing.
Katie Cassidy will be appearing as a guest at this year’s Supanova Comic Con & Gaming convention in Melbourne this weekend (April 22nd and 23rd, 2023). For more information on each event, head to the official Supanova website.
