When Will Arrowverse Return? ‘Swamp Thing’ Is CW’s Only Fall DC Show

Fall 2020 is the first time in years that The CW is kicking off the new TV season without any superheroes. The Arrowverse won’t return for months, but the network is making sure DC Comics fans have at least one show to watch: “Swamp Thing,” which debuts on broadcast TV Tuesday.

But when will the Arrowverse (or Berlanti-verse, if you prefer) return?

“The Flash,” now the most senior superhero show on The CW after “Arrow” ended, is filming along with the freshman “Superman and Lois” and sophomore “Batwoman.” The new seasons are in production in Vancouver, but they’re working around COVID-19 restrictions, which creates extra hurdles.

With only one lab in Vancouver for coronavirus testing and all the productions needing to test their cast and crew, there are backups that can delay filming. “The Flash,” “Supergirl,” and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” were all delayed due to testing issues, Deadline reports.

In the spring, The CW announced the intention to bring back “The Flash,” “Batwoman,” “Black Lightning” and “Superman and Lois” in January. Meanwhile, “Supergirl” and “Legends of Tomorrow” are being held for midseason, so the filming delays are less likely to affect them. If filming keeps being delayed, however, fans might have to wait longer.

While “The Flash,” “Supergirl,” “Black Lightning,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Batwoman” and “Superman and Lois” are delayed, “Swamp Thing” premieres Tuesday on The CW. It isn’t apart of the Arrowverse (AKA the CW-verse), and it isn’t exactly new either.

“Swamp Thing” originally premiered over a year ago on DC Universe, a streaming site for all things DC Comics. The show was canceled before all 10 episodes were released, but fans are hoping the CW sees its value.

The show follows Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed), a CDC doctor who returns to her Louisiana hometown to investigate an epidemic. She meets Alec Holland (Andy Bean), who is killed and then revived as the Swamp Thing (Derek Mears). The show’s broadcast premiere airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST on The CW.