Arrow: Ragman Will Return in Season 6

After a prolonged absence, Ragman will be coming back to Arrow this season. After a rocky couple of seasons, Arrow snapped back into shape over the past year as it refocused its narrative and retooled Oliver. The results saw a hero less prone to self-flaggelation and more likely to seek assistance. Part of that new leaf resulted in Oliver building a fresh team around him, and many of them look to be back this year.

Despite what happened on Lian Yu in season 5, we know Arrow characters like the new Black Canary will return, along with Black Siren. They won’t be alone, however. While Artemis turned traitor, Mr. Terrific, Wild Dog, and Ragman have all stayed true. Still, Rory took off on his own after the events that decimated his hometown. Though he brought a certain lightness to the show, his more mystical abilities felt more at home in Arrow season 4 than season 5. That said, he’s a powerful hero and Team Arrow could always use his help. Now, it looks like they’ll be getting it.

The first few episodes of Arrow season 6 will likely focus on the events on Lian Yu and the fallout from what happened. Oliver and his team will likely be dealing with a lot, regardless of who did and die not survive the season 5 finale. As they are, Richard Dragon will come out of the shadows as the season’s new big bad. Arrow has proven that it does best with one overarching villain, and Dragon’s presence should help with the show’s continual growth.

With the team shaken and a new villain causing trouble in Star City, it’s no wonder that Ragman will be back 5 episodes into the new season. Oliver may be on a better path, but his team is sure to face trials of their own this year. As such, pulling in a heavy-hitter like Rory makes sense given the new threats the Green Arrow will be sure to face in the upcoming season.

Ragman might not be alone in his return, either. John Barrowman has said he has an open invitation to return as Malcolm Merlyn, in the future. Deathstroke will also be a factor again in Arrow season 6, with news suggesting that he’ll be getting an arc of his own (see the rumors about Deathstroke’s son being cast). With season 6 less than two months away, it won’t be much longer now until Arrow‘s next chapter unfolds.

Arrow season 6 premieres Thursday, October 12 at 9pm on The CW.