William Clayton, the son of Oliver Queen, was revealed to be gay during this week’s episode of Arrow.
During a flashfoward in the second episode of the show’s seventh season, The Longbow Hunters, a grown William (Ben Lewis) admits his sexuality during a conversation with Roy Harper (Colton Haynes).
When Roy asks whether Felicity (Emily Bett Richards) and Oliver (Stephen Amell) abandoned him on the island, he confirms this and tells him: “And my ex-boyfriend wonders why I have commitment issues.”
Fans of Arrow were quick to pick up on the reveal, and praised the writers and character on social media.
1) Stephen doesn’t write the show. 2) I’m so happy the LGBTQ community are being represented more. I’m so proud of @ARROWwriters @CW_Arrow for making William gay. So stop speaking on behalf of the viewers, because you don’t
— Steph (@stephw19xoxo) October 23, 2018
Omg his William gay?!? Yasss
— amber chowdhury (@amberryyc) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/GellerSandrine/status/1052048492947001344
I’m here for arrow making William gay
— 💖jk💖 (@_jkuhn) October 23, 2018
Arrow has been airing on The CW since its debut in 2012.
The series stars Amell in the title role, alongside Haynes, Richards, Katie Cassidy, Colin Donnell, David Ramsay, Willa Holland, Susanna Thompson, Paul Blackthorne, Manu Bannett and John Barrowman.
Arrow airs Tuesdays on Sky One in the UK and Mondays on The CW in the US.
Related: 13 LGBTQ character we need to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.