The CW Boss Confirms More Arrowverse Series Planned, Talks Dynasty Cast Changes

The CW is the latest network to attend the Television Critics Association summer press tour, and there were some big reveals.

Network president Mark Pedowitz opened up about continuing to expand the Arrowverse despite the parent series, Arrow, coming to and next season.

He told reporters at the event that the network is looking to add another DC Comics property to its bursting at the seams superhero roster.

This new series will be deeply rooted in the Arrowverse, as opposed to Black Lightning, which has stayed away from the other shows.

It's certainly exciting to know that the network still finds the Arrowverse to be a viable brand.

That wasn't the only Arrowverse news dropped at TCA. In a surprising development, it has been revealed that Black Lightning will also be part of the upcoming Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.

It has not been confirmed which characters will be part of this year's event, but it is a big thing because the show has survived for two seasons without being part of the extended universe.

The full rollout plan for the crossover has been confirmed.

Supergirl: Sunday, Dec. 8 at 8/7c (special time)

Batwoman: Monday, Dec. 9 at 8 pm (special day)

The Flash: Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 8 pm

Arrow: Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 8 pm (special time)

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 9 pm (special episode)

The CW has also moved up the Black Lightning Season 3 premiere to Monday, October 7.

Over on Dynasty, fans were recently stunned by the news that another series regular was bowing out.

Ana Brenda Contreras, who played Cristal Flores on Dynasty Season 2 is being replaced by Daniella Alonso for Dynasty Season 3.

It is just the latest in a string of casting changes that have hit the series over the past year.

However, Pedowitz claimed that all is well behind the scenes of the primetime soap, and that this casting change was down to Contreras having to depart the series.

“In terms of the Cristal situation, it’s very simple — we hoped that Ana Brenda Contreras would have continued,” Pedowitz told reporters.

“She has a personal issue that we had no control over, so we recast her with Daniella Alonso. There’s no dirt to be found.”

As for why the show has now lost four series regulars in a short time, the exec didn't have much information.

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“I can’t address that. There [are] coincidences that happen along those lines,” he said.

The CW also went public about its plans for its digital platforms following the lapse of its output deal with Netflix.

As such, the network has secured full in-season streaming rights to Batwoman, Nancy Drew, and Katy Keene.

The network usually has the most recent five episodes of its series, but under the new plans, all episodes of the three will stay on The CW app and website all season long, until 30 days before the next season hits the air.

The current crop of CW series will not be getting the same treatment because they are all still part of the Netflix deal.

With these changes, CW will continue to offer the episodes for free with no authentication required. Of course, there will be ads, but it means you will be able to keep up to speed with your favorite series.

“We are incredibly excited to offer our viewers the full stack of our new shows on our preeminent A-VOD digital platforms, giving them the chance to catch up on these shows from the beginning at any point during the season, for free and without authentication,” said Pedowitz.

“By being the exclusive in-season streaming home for our new series going forward, it also provides us with more information about how viewers are consuming our programming, how we can engage with them, and create even more multiplatform sales opportunities for advertisers.”

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