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MCU And DCTV: When Do ‘Luke Cage,’ ‘Arrow,’ ‘Supergirl,’ ‘The Flash’ And Others Return To Netflix And The CW?

By Dustin Murrell
Published on: 06:58 PST, Sep 26, 2016

With last week’s returns of the DC Comics-based Gotham on FOX and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (featuring the debut of Ghost Rider) on ABC, fans of television based on the worlds of the two comic book giants are even more excited for the returns of other superhero programming. Technically existing in the same Marvel Cinematic Universe as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel’s Luke Cage debuts on Netflix, moving away from the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood (that housed Marvel’s Jessica Jones and the first two seasons of Marvel’s Daredevil) to start fresh in Harlem. Meanwhile, in a DC Universe completely separate from Gotham, The CW will be preparing for the season premieres of Arrow, Supergirl, The Flash, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.

The Flash first encounters Supergirl. [Image via ‘Supergirl’]

Marvel’s Luke Cage On Netflix — September 30

Introduced as a love interest of the titular character from Marvel’s Jessica Jones, the character Luke Cage (Mike Colter) was so well-received by fans that anticipation for the new Netflix series matches that of Daredevil and Jessica Jones before it. It will the third of four series (including the forthcoming Marvel’s Iron Fist) that eventually lead to a Marvel’s Defenders crossover series, also exclusive to Netflix. Every episode of the premiere season of Marvel’s Luke Cage will be available to stream on-demand via Netflix beginning September 30.

Marvel’s Runaways On Hulu — 2017

While Netflix and Marvel already have plans for future series including Marvel’s The Punisher and the aforementioned Iron Fist and Defenders programs, Hulu recently announced a new contribution to Marvel Cinematic Universe coming to their service in 2017: Marvel’s Runaways. As reported by The Verge, it is another story based on a Marvel Comics series that very few laypeople are familiar with. It tells the story of six gifted teenagers who must ban together to defeat their evil parents. While the details remain few, the series is expected to debut in 2017. Other Marvel television programs in the works include Cloak & Dagger for Freeform and two different X-Men series.

The Flash On The CW — October 4

Perhaps no comic-based television show ended last season more dramatically than The Flash. Certainly, there is more speculation about how Barry Allen’s actions — and the effects of Flashpoint — will impact the entire series more than any other actions from any other show last season. Given the crossover that has already been established with Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, and even Supergirl, the impact may be felt on more than one CW show. As noted by the CW, The Flash returns to television with its Season 3 premiere on October 4. Season 1 is currently available to stream on-demand via Netflix, while the five last episodes of Season 2 can be streamed through The CW’s official website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzq5H2qAyh8

Arrow On The CW — October 5

Arrow was The CW’s first major foray into the world of DC Comics. It ultimately paved the way for The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, and even the acquisition of Supergirl from CBS. As Season 4 concluded for the Green Arrow and the residents of Star City, some big changes were on the horizon. While Flashpoint could certainly alter a few things (if the writers so choose), the Season 4 finale of Arrow resulted in the death of Damien Darhk, the disbandment of Team Arrow, and Oliver Queen stepping in as acting mayor of the city. Season 5 of Arrow could see the show taking off in a whole new direction. The season premiere on The CW is scheduled for October 5. The first three seasons of Arrow can be streamed with a Netflix account, and the final five episodes of Season 4 can be streamed through The CW’s official website.

RELATED REPORTS BY THE INQUISITR

Supergirl On The CW — October 10

After just one season on CBS and a successful crossover episode with The Flash, Melissa Benoist and the cast of Supergirl help fill out the impressive DC Comics line-up on The CW for Season 2. Speculation continues to grow regarding the possibility of The Justice League appearing on The CW, with The Flash and Green Arrow being joined by Supergirl and Superman (who is set to make his first Supergirl appearance in Season 2). Certainly, even more surprises await Supergirl fans for Season 2. The premiere is set for October 10. The entire first season can be streamed via Netflix, while The CW has made the final five episodes of Supergirl‘s inaugural season available to stream through their website.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow On The CW — October 13

If any show on The CW is ready to handle the impact of Flashpoint, it’s definitely DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. With the entire basis of the show being a crew of DC Comics superheroes traveling time and dealing with the “butterfly effect” consequences as they try to save humanity from a dystopian future, any changes that Barry’s actions may have caused would be old hat to Rip Hunter, Firestorm, White Canary and the entire LOT crew. The self-sacrificial death of Captain Cold leaves a lot of questions for fans of Legends, especially since Wentworth Miller has been signed on to make further appearances as Leonard Snart in The CW’s Arrowverse, as reported by Coming Soon. Unfortunately, the first season of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow isn’t currently available on Netflix or Hulu. Rather, as with the other CW shows, the last five episodes that aired are available to stream via CW’s official website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bDhkrYcO40

iZombie On The CW — January, 2017

While completely unrelated to the happenings of Supergirl and the entire Arrowverse on The CW, many fans forget (or never even realized) that iZombie is another show on The CW that is based on a DC Comics series of the same name. Although it’s not being brought back to The CW until mid-season, the new set of episodes ordered includes the return of Veronica Mars alumni Ken Marino and Daran Norris, who both appeared in the first season of iZombie. As reported by Game N Guide, a lot has been made of how good Liv looks in her dominatrix outfit, which will also debut in Season 3. While a specific date has yet to be set, the Season 3 premiere of iZombie is scheduled for January of 2017. The entire first season is available to stream via Netflix, while the final five episodes of Season 2 can be streamed at The CW’s official website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE9FZeUFIL4

Aside from the Netflix-exclusive Marvel’s Luke Cage, every show listed here was previously available on Hulu. Assuming similar contracts exist between The CW and Hulu for the upcoming seasons, these shows will make new episodes available to stream on-demand via Hulu the day after they air on The CW. Currently, the season premieres of Gotham and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. can be viewed on Hulu.

[Featured Image via Netflix/Marvel’s Luke Cage]

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