In an ongoing effort by comic-based entertainment powerhouses to reflect the diversity of their readership, actor Echo Kellum has been announced as a new star of the CW’s DC-universe series "Arrow." Kellum, who was previously known for starring roles on "Ben and Kate" and "Sean Saves The World," will portray an openly gay version of Michael Holt, the billionare with more than a dozen doctorates and Olympic credentials who fights crime as Mister Terrific. The announcement was made last month, but newer reports are rejecting old news that Kellum’s character would be renamed "Curtis Holt" and that he’d instead go by the comics’ name of Michael.
Kellum joins actress Caity Lotz as the second performer to portray an openly queer character on the show; Lotz portrays the bisexual Sara Lance.
The new season of "Arrow," featuring Kellum’s recurring role, will premiere October 7th on the CW.