Emily Bett Rickards Interview Part 3: Summer Hiatus, Felicity’s Continuing Mission & More

This is Part 3 of GreenArrowTV’s interview with Emily Bett Rickards, who plays “Felicity Smoak” on Arrow. You can read the previous two parts here.

In the final part of our interview with Emily Bett Rickards, she talks a bit about another undercover mission, plans for her summer hiatus, and more. Enjoy… our questions to Emily are in bold; her answers are not.

GREENARROWTV: Do you have any plans for the summer hiatus; any movies or anything like that?

EMILY BETT RICKARDS: Well, I am auditioning this week, so I’ll keep you posted.

A fan on Twitter had asked: Are you planning any convention appearances?

I don’t quite know yet. I hope to, and I will let you know as soon as I know, because it would be really fun to meet you.

Is there anyone that you’d like to work with that you haven’t gotten to work with yet on the series?

I really want to work… I’d love to work with John Barrowman. [laughs] I get to be on set with him… he’s awesome. Everyone’s seen the little musical we all made together. And Susanna [Thompson]. I’d love to… I mean, I’d love to work with everyone, but I’d love to work with Susanna. I really admire her. I admire her work a lot. I admire everyone’s work, but I would really like to work with Susanna, who I haven’t gotten a chance to work with.

Why do you think that the audience has connected with Felicity so well?

I think she’s relatable. I think that she is honest. Because she can’t, she doesn’t have a filter, she doesn’t hold back what she’s thinking. She helps out a superhero, and she’s got all these cool gadgets.

What did you think when you received the script where Felicity found out what was going on with Oliver?

I liked what Felicity said in that script. She was like “you know, I’m not stupid. I’m not an idiot. You gave me the energy drink and a syringe, right?” I don’t think she was shocked to find out that Oliver was the Hood, but I think that she was surprised that she actually hadn’t labeled it earlier. Because what do you think, that Oliver Queen’s going to be the Hood? You don’t think that, because you just don’t. It’s impossible to think; that’s why Oliver hasn’t been found out yet. But I think it’s important, and I think Felicity was scared [at first]. She’s still frightened, but we get to see her dissolve her fears. But when she first found out? Unstill waters.

Do you think that Oliver is a better person or a better vigilante now that Felicity is part of his “gang?”

I think they’re learning from each other. I think that’s what happens in our relationships and our every day life. And I think whether or not he’s a better person, I think she’s opened his eyes to other aspects. These are real people, you are killing real people, whether or not they’re bad guys, and you are a real person, and you can’t get lost in the vigilante, or else you’re going to destroy your personal life.

What can you tease about this Wednesday’s episode, “Home Invasion?”

There is tension between the “Scooby Gang” as Natalie [Abrams] labeled it earlier. Diggle and Oliver are going to get into a little bit of tension, and Felicity has to play neutral.

But, the undercover episode is the week after, “The Undertaking,” correct?

Yes.

What’s this about Felicity being seen at Big Belly Burger? Is this the same episode?

That is… Episode 22.

What is the context of that?

[Purposely vague] She is undercover, again, and it’s part of her facade. It helps her move around. She’s not in a dress.

Are there any more characters Felicity might meet before season’s end?

She does get to meet a couple more characters. We do get to see that. She doesn’t really get to involve herself, too much, with other characters. I mean, our characters cross paths… I think she says hi to Laurel at some point, but there’s nothing crazy.

So no one’s going to figure out Oliver’s been hanging out with the IT girl from Queen Consolidated?

No. Nobody knows.

On that note… what happened to that job? Is Felicity still doing it?

She is still doing it, as of right now. Queen Consolidated is sort of whittling away. I mean, Walter is gone, and Moira is focused on other things, and over her head. Queen Consolidated is still working, and she is still working there. I mean, she does show up to the Foundry in her work clothes most of the time. Yeah. She’s still there, so you can still find her there, but she’s not there very often.

If and when Walter is possibly found, will Felicity feel that her job is done?

I think she’s more involved than that now. I think she’s left that condition, when she negotiated her being part of the team. She’s found another reason to stay.

Do you have anything else you’d like to say to the fans who might be reading this?

Hope to see you guys at a conference soon!

This concludes our interview with Emily Bett Rickards, but the fun’s not over! Look for some interviews with Celina Jade (Shado), Willa Holland (Thea) and Stephen Amell (Oliver) by week’s end! A new episode of Arrow airs Wednesday, April 24 on The CW!