Of all the past and current Arrowverse shows, The Flash might be the one to last the longest on The CW. Greg Berlanti’s shared DC TV universe is in for a number of changes this TV season. Following the conclusion of Arrow last year as well as the game-changing “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, the Arrowverse began a new chapter. The Arrowverse as a whole was given a soft reboot thanks to the 5-part event that allowed the franchise to extend its longevity. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean all the present shows will be sticking around for that much longer. While Batwoman got a new lead with Javicia Leslie taking over for Ruby Rose to launch season 2, the entire Arrowverse slate is getting a massive shake-up this year.
Supergirl will officially conclude its run with its upcoming sixth and final season that will air later in 2021. But the Girl of Steel isn’t the only Arrowverse member to bow out of the franchise. Despite having just joined the Arrowverse after “Crisis on Infinite Earths” brought the series into the same universe, Black Lightning is coming to an end with the fourth season that premieres in February. While the Pierce family will have one final adventure together, a Painkiller spinoff is in the works that would allow that side of the Arrowverse to live on in some capacity. Should the backdoor pilot lead to a series pick-up, it would be a first for the Arrowverse by doing an antihero show.
While it’s highly unlikely that another Arrowverse show is ending this season, too, the line-up is definitely changing big time. Superman & Lois is premiering next month as Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch become main players in the Arrowverse. As Supergirl and Black Lightning are ending, what Arrowverse show might end next? When it comes to The Flash, it will kick off its seventh season in March as currently the second longest-running Arrowverse show following Arrow, which wrapped up last year after eight seasons. However, The Flash is currently the highest-rated draw on The CW and it’s very likely that the network will try to hold onto it for as long as possible.
![Why The Flash Could Be The Arrowverse’s Longest Running Show](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/The-Flash-Speedsters.jpg)
Series lead Grant Gustin revealed last year that prior to the global pandemic, negotiations had begun to extend his current contract for a potential The Flash season 8 and 9. While they are currently shooting the seventh season, it’s unknown if the negotiations have resumed at this time as COVID-19 is still affecting the whole world. But theoretically, it wouldn’t be impossible for The CW to have The Flash go on beyond seasons 8 and 9 because of the nature of the mythology. Barry Allen isn’t the only speedster to have carried The Flash title as there have also been heroes like Jay Garrick, Wally West, and Bart Allen. Should Gustin and the current cast feel ready to wrap up their run on The Flash, the series could always continue by following a different speedster.
As long as the fans are still invested and tuning in for the show, the CW would very likely do everything they can to hold on to the Arrowverse drama. If Supernatural could last for 15 seasons, it’s not impossible for The Flash to keep going by focusing on a different hero. Whether it would be Keiynan Lonsdale’s Kid Flash taking on the mantle and protecting Keystone City or flashing into the future by focusing on Bart/Impulse, there are ways for The Flash to continue for as long as possible. If the ratings continue to show that there is still an interest to see the fastest man alive, it would add something new to the Arrowverse as The Flash would become a legacy series.