'24' Actor Paul Blackthorne Joins Green Arrow Pilot

The CW's Green Arrow pilot grows bigger and bigger every week, it seems. Although all the principle roles have been cast, there are still some other parts left to be filled—and two of those parts are now occupied.

Deadline reports that actors Paul Blackthorne and Jamey Sheridan have joined the cast of "Arrow." According to the report, Blackthorne will guest star on the pilot as Detective Quentin Lance, father of Oliver's love interest Laurel (better known to comics fans as Dinah "Black Canary" Lance). He's described as "a gruff, determined city detective who believes true justice can only come from law and order. He's charged with bringing the vigilante known as The Arrow to justice."

Two quick things before moving onto Sheridan. One, Blackthorne is awesome. I know I'm supposed to love him for "The Dresden Files," but he was tremendous on season three of "24" as Jack Bauer's old war buddy turned deadly foe, Stephen Saunders. Great villain, incredibly underrated season of "24." Check it out.

But the second thing: it's one thing that the show is called "Arrow," but it sounds like that's Oliver's code name as well. Are they striking the "Green" from the record entirely? What's the deal there?

Moving on, Sheridan's also got an interesting role: he'll play Oliver's father Robert, long considered killed in an accident alongside Oliver. He's expected to recur, so either count on Robert factoring into flashbacks or not being dead at all. This is a comics-based show, though, so smart money goes on the latter.

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