Emily Bett Rickards: Life After Arrow and Career Moves

Few fictional characters have sparked as much curiosity about the actor behind the role as Felicity Smoak since Emily Bett Rickards left Arrow in 2020, with fans following her every move, wondering about her career, relationships, and what comes next. This profile pieces together the verifiable facts — from her breakout role to her latest film projects — and distinguishes what’s publicly known from what remains private.

Born: July 24, 1991 · Age (2025): 33 · Nationality: Canadian · Known for: Felicity Smoak on Arrow · Years active: 2012–present · Instagram: @emilybett

Six key facts, one pattern: Rickards has kept her post-Arrow life deliberately under the radar, with only a handful of confirmed professional moves.

Why did Emily Bett Rickards quit Arrow?

Rickards’ departure from Arrow after seven seasons was widely reported as her own decision. The character Felicity Smoak concluded her narrative arc in the Season 7 finale, leaving the series alongside Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) in a flash-forward timeline. In a 2019 interview with Collider, Rickards explained she wanted to explore new creative opportunities beyond the superhero world.

Was Felicity written off because of the actor’s decision?

• According to Collider, Rickards said leaving was a choice she made because she felt “ready for a new chapter.”
• Executive producer Marc Guggenheim confirmed that Felicity’s exit was designed to give her a satisfying ending (Den of Geek).

The implication: Her departure was not a firing or contract dispute — it was a deliberate pivot that the showrunners accommodated.

Are Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards still friends?

On-screen chemistry often leads to speculation about off-screen relationships. Rickards and Amell have maintained a public friendship since the show ended. In 2020, Den of Geek noted that Amell referred to Rickards as “family” in a social media post. They have not collaborated professionally since Arrow, but their interactions remain warm in interviews.

Do Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards keep in touch?

• Amell’s public statements describe their bond as “lifelong” (DC Comics News).
• Rickards told DC Comics News that working alongside Amell taught her “a real education about comics.”

The trade-off: Fans hoping for a reunion project remain disappointed — neither actor has indicated plans to work together again.

Did Emily Bett Rickards get married?

Rickards keeps her romantic life intensely private. As of 2025, IMDb lists no spouse, and she has never publicly confirmed a marriage. A 2019 profile in EUPHORIA. mentioned a long-term partner of seven years, but no names or wedding details were disclosed.

Who is Emily Bett Rickards’ husband?

• No official confirmation exists.
• In 2015, Rickards told BELLO Mag that Felicity’s engagement storyline “felt very different from my own life.”
• She has repeatedly declined to name a partner.

The catch: Without a public announcement, any claims about a husband remain unverified.

Is Emily Bett Rickards in a relationship?

Beyond the 2019 mention of a partner, no recent credible reports confirm her current relationship status. Rickards’ social media focuses on career updates, not personal life. Speculation from fan accounts — particularly on forums and YouTube — often fills the gap, but these lack reliable sourcing.

Who was Emily Bett Rickards dating?

• The only concrete reference is the 2019 EUPHORIA. article, which described a seven-year relationship.
• Since then, no follow-up information has surfaced.

The pattern: Rickards treats her private life as off-limits, a stance uncommon among celebrity actors with her level of fame.

Is Emily Prentiss LGBTQ?

This is a common point of confusion. Emily Prentiss is a fictional character from Criminal Minds, portrayed by Paget Brewster. The character’s sexual orientation was explored in the series, but she has no connection to Emily Bett Rickards. The mix-up likely arises from shared first names and both being fictional characters on long-running TV shows.

Who is Emily Prentiss?

• Special Agent Emily Prentiss, played by Paget Brewster, appears in Criminal Minds from Season 2 onward (IMDb).
• The character’s LGBTQ storyline appeared in later seasons.
• Rickards has never commented on this confusion.

Why this matters: Fans searching for “Emily Prentiss LGBTQ” may land on pages about Rickards, but the two actors and characters are distinct.

Key quotes from Emily Bett Rickards

“Felicity is the underdog. I think that’s why people root for her and Oliver.”

— Emily Bett Rickards, 2013 interview with Collider

“I didn’t think Felicity was dead, so I figured she’d come back.”

— Emily Bett Rickards, 2014 interview with Den of Geek

“She’s family.”

— Stephen Amell, via social media

For a celebrity who built a massive fan base, Rickards has shared remarkably little about her post-Arrow personal life. The public record shows a deliberate shift toward indie film and away from the spotlight — a choice that maintains her privacy but leaves many questions unanswered. For fans seeking closure, the clearest signal is her career trajectory: Queen of the Ring (2025) marks a move into serious dramatic roles, not a return to franchise television. The trade-off is that without official disclosures, any claims about relationships remain speculation.

Emily Bett Rickards has moved on from the show, with news of her 2025 engagement surfacing earlier this year.

Frequently asked questions