Arrow star Joseph David-Jones teases major sibling rivalry in Season 8

Just before Arrow premieres its final season, BamSmackPow was able to talk with one of the stars of the upcoming season, Joseph David-Jones, about his character’s storyline and what he’d like to see Connor Hawke accomplish.

Better known as Connor Hawke on both Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Joseph David-Jones has become a consistent presence within in the Arrowverse, both as Green Arrow in one timeline and John Diggle’s son in another.

The actor first appeared all the way back in Season 1 of Legends during the episode “Star City 2046” before reprising his role, albeit in a much different capacity, in Season 7 of Arrow.

In our chance to speak to him, David-Jones talked about what we can expect in the upcoming season, some of his favorite parts of Arrow, and what the future may possibly hold for Connor Hawke.

*Interview has been edited slightly for conciseness*

BamSmackPow: With Charlie Barnett joining the cast of Arrow as John Diggle Jr., is there going to be a sibling rivalry between you two in this last season of Arrow?

Joseph David-Jones: Oh yeah definitely. I would say that’s an understatement. I can’t wait to get introduced to Charlie’s character, cause JJ, he’s like, all the way on the dark side. There’s gonna be a lot of conflict between me and my brother. It’s also the strongest relationship that I have, so it’s a lot of push and pull. And he does really care about me too, so it will be interesting to see where we all land with him coming onto the show. You’ll see when the season starts [Laughs]. You’ll see, we got a rivalry going on.

BSP: Can’t wait to see that.

BSP: How does your role on Arrow now compare to when you guest-starred on Legends of Tomorrow several years back?

JDJ: It’s completely different. Because this being on a different timeline or trajectory, I’m a completely different person. I was JJ [John Diggle Jr.] and now I’m fully Connor Hawke. Along with that, they changed my backstory to where I’m Bronze Tiger’s son and now John Diggle’s adopted me.

So now I have the virtues of John Diggle and that sort of the mantle that I’m trying to take over. Trying to live up to who John Diggle was, as opposed to be the Green Arrow and fill the void that he left when he died in the episode of Legends. I was trying to fill his shoes and live up to that name. Now you’ll see a more John Diggle version of Connor Hawke.

BSP: You mentioned that since you’re now the adopted son of John Diggle, but the biological son of Bronze Tiger, is it possible that you’ll take up the Bronze Tiger mantle or even the Green Arrow mantle again?

JDJ: The way the show is, it can go so many different directions. There are so many twists and turns in it. I am actually excited to see where they go with that because there’s this other side to him, this side that’s sort of inherited where he could potentially be Bronze Tiger and I could go astray. I don’t know if they’re going to explore any of that or explore how things are going to be, if Bronze Tiger is the future, it’ll be exciting to see whether or not they play with that, the Bronze Tiger element of Connor’s backstory. There’s so much there. There’s so much ripe for the picking. Seeing Michael Jai White and hanging out last season was so much fun. I’m always down for Bronze Tiger.

BSP: With Arrow coming to an end, is there anything specific that you’d like to see Connor accomplish?

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JDJ: It’s hard to say without giving away his arc. And the thing is, we’re still shooting. We’re not done shooting this season yet, so various things could still happen with his arc.

But, I’d like to see a version of the show where, potentially, him and Mia can find a little happiness. We’ll see what happens. I think they got a little chemistry going on so we’ll see what happens, we’ll see if they can find something there.

BSP: Really love you and Kat McNamara [Mia] together on-screen, so I’d personally love that as well.

JDJ: I think we have a pretty good chemistry. I think Kat’s warm and welcoming in general as a person, it’s hard to not like, vibe with her from the beginning. She’s pretty cool. [Laughs] I think that just sort of spills onto the on-camera chemistry. Like we’ll have to be close in a scene, and she’ll be making goofy faces while the camera’s on me so I can’t keep it straight [Laughs]. It’s fun to work with her and I think that just spills onto what people see.

BSP: That’s great.

BSP: So, with the Canaries spin-off in the works, do you think you’d have a chance to be a part of that?

JDJ: It’s hard to see what the future holds. I know that they’re trying to utilize Arrowverse characters within this, but like make it sort of its own thing. They want to have a show that pays homage to everything that Arrow was and everything that it’s leaving behind, characters and everything, but I think they want it to be its own thing. And it’s going to be very empowering for women. I’m sure they’re going to want me in some capacity, but until everything’s announced I can’t say anything [Laughs].

BSP: Yeah, I completely get that.

JDJ: It would be fun to be a part of this series with all the same characters so we’ll see.

BSP: So, has there been anyone that you haven’t been on-screen with that you’d like to share screentime with?

JDJ: Honestly, Bronze Tiger. Last season, he [Michael Jai White] was there for the season finale, so like I met him on set, but we don’t have any scenes together. We’re just there, hanging out, and then he had to shoot his scene, I had to shoot my scene, whatever. But, we don’t have any scenes together set in the future. But man, it would be great to bring Michael Jai White to the future and to have some scenes. The guy’s awesome. Teach me a thing or two about like martial arts and stuff. The level of stunts he can do is insane.

BSP: So, what’s been your favorite part of working on Arrow?

JDJ: I would have to say the cast of the show. That sounds like a generic answer, but everyone there is so welcoming. We literally all hang out all the time. It makes being in a completely different country, shooting in the cold, that much better. You’re there with a sort of, well it’s family.

This team of people who are all going through the same experiences as you and have gone through it for years prior. It’s great to have people sort of help navigate being up there and knowing what to do and hang out. And it’s deeper than that. They have so much career advice and life advice. Honestly, being able to talk to David Ramsey [John Diggle] or Rick Gonzalez [Rene Ramirez], they’ve given me so much life advice on top of acting advice, and Arrow advice. That’s probably what was the best part of being on this thing.

BSP: My last question, if you’re able to talk about it, have you shot anything for Crisis on Infinite Earths?

JDJ: Oh [Laughs]. Now this is where it will get me in trouble. Warner Bros. employs snipers that are just trained on you at all times [Laughs].

BSP: Yeah, I don’t doubt that [Laughs].

JDJ: But yeah, I can’t say anything about Crisis on Infinite Earths except for, everything’s going to be different after Crisis. I’m sure the advertisements are telling that too, but it’s going to change the entire Arrowverse. I think fans are gonna love it too, whatever happens.

BSP: Well, thank you so much for talking with me. I’m really excited for this next season of Arrow. Hope you have a great day.

JDJ: Thank you my man. It was good talking to you.

The final season of Arrow premieres Tuesday, October 15th at 9:00 p.m. ET. Are you looking forward to seeing more of Connor Hawke? Let us know in the comments below!