Katie Cassidy stars as Black Canary in photos for 'Arrow' LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Katie Cassidy stars as Black Canary in new promotional photos for Arrow. The 27-year-old actress has portrayed Laurel Lance on The CW series since its premiere in October 2012. The character's younger sister, Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), was the original Canary, but was killed in front of Laurel in the season three premiere. In the DC Comics, Black Canary is the love interest and eventual wife of the Green Arrow. The character is highly proficient in martial arts and impersonation, and can shatter objects and incapacitate enemies with her Canary Cry in later issues. Arrow follows billionaire playboy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) as he becomes the hooded vigilante Arrow. Emily Bett Rickards also stars as Felicity Smoak, with Willa Holland as Thea Queen, John Barrowman as Malcolm Merlyn and Katrina Law as Nyssa al Ghul. Cassidy will guest star as Laurel on Arrow spinoff series The Flash in December. The actress is known for portraying Ella Simms on Melrose Place and Juliet Sharp on Gossip Girl, and has also appeared in Taken and Monte Carlo. Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m.