David Ramsey Discusses Why Diggle Never Became a Green Lantern

When the popular series Arrow concluded its eight-season run in January 2020, many fans were left pondering the fate of John Diggle, portrayed by David Ramsey. In one of the final scenes, Diggle opened a mysterious green box, hinting at a potential transformation into a Green Lantern. This storyline sparked anticipation across the Arrowverse, with viewers eagerly speculating about Diggle’s future. However, by the time of The Flash Season 8 episode titled “The Man in the Yellow Tie,” Diggle walked away without an emerald ring, leading Ramsey to reflect on the implications of this narrative choice.

During a panel discussion at Motor City Comic Con, where he was joined by co-star Stephen Amell, Ramsey expressed his thoughts on why it was ultimately the “right decision” for Diggle not to join the ranks of the Green Lantern Corps. He elaborated that the political landscape surrounding the Green Lantern franchise complicated the possibility of Diggle’s evolution into a ring-bearer. Ramsey noted that efforts to incorporate Diggle as a Green Lantern faced obstacles for nearly six seasons due to these external factors.

“I think, honestly, personally, there was so much going on at the time that it’s in the hands it should be in now,” Ramsey stated. He acknowledged that the decision to keep Diggle grounded in his family life was essential to the character’s integrity, as accepting such a cosmic power would have required a significant personal sacrifice. The character’s refusal to abandon his family resonated with Ramsey, who believes it aligns perfectly with Diggle’s core values.

In the Arrowverse, the notion of Diggle becoming a Green Lantern was teased multiple times. Notably, during the “Elseworlds” crossover, John Wesley Shipp‘s Flash from Earth-90 remarked that this iteration of Diggle was not wearing a ring. Additionally, Diggle’s stepfather, Colonel Roy Stewart, was played by Ernie Hudson, subtly linking Diggle to the well-known character John Stewart, one of the most recognized Green Lanterns in comic lore.

As the series progressed, Diggle’s storyline came to a head when he encountered Eobard Thawne, also known as Reverse-Flash. Thawne revealed that the glowing object in the box was not merely a Green Lantern ring but a source of immense cosmic power. He offered Diggle the chance to reclaim this power, but at the cost of leaving his family behind. Diggle’s choice to refuse demonstrated his commitment to his loved ones, leading to the box vanishing from sight.

Ramsey emphasized that this decision was crucial for Diggle’s character development. “I think the reason why Diggle didn’t become the Lantern was on point for his character,” he remarked, supporting the narrative choice that prioritized family over power.

Looking ahead, Ramsey highlighted the evolving landscape of the Green Lantern franchise, suggesting that the property is now in capable hands. With the upcoming series titled Lanterns scheduled to premiere in 2026, fans can expect new interpretations of the Green Lantern mythology. The new series will feature Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, indicating a fresh direction for the franchise.

While the main continuity of the Arrowverse did not explore Diggle’s potential as a Green Lantern, the character’s legacy continues in other narratives. For instance, in the Stargirl series, which is set on Earth-2, the character Jennie-Lynn Haden inherits the ring of her father, Alan Scott, the Golden Age Green Lantern.

Fans wishing to revisit Ramsey’s portrayal of John Diggle can stream Arrow on Netflix until December 18, when the series will no longer be available. The anticipation for Lanterns continues to grow, with expectations for a mid-2026 release on HBO, followed by subsequent episodes available for streaming on HBO Max.

As the Arrowverse closes one chapter, it appears to be setting the stage for new adventures, ensuring that the legacy of characters like John Diggle will resonate in future narratives.