The fifth season of the American television series ''

Legends of Tomorrow ''DC's Legends of Tomorrow'', or simply ''Legends of Tomorrow'', is an American time travel superhero television series developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, and Phil Klemmer, who are also executive producers a ...

'', which is based on characters from

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

, premiered on

The CW ''The'' () is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite ...

on January 21, 2020. The season consisted of 15 episodes, which includes the special episode for the "

Crisis on Infinite Earths "Crisis on Infinite Earths" is a 1985 American comic book crossover storyline published by DC Comics. The series, written by Marv Wolfman and pencilled by George Pérez, was first serialized as a 12-issue limited series from April 1985 to Mar ...

" crossover that precedes the season premiere. It is set in the

Arrowverse The Arrowverse is an American superhero media franchise and a shared universe that is centered on various interconnected television series based on DC Comics superhero characters, primarily airing on The CW as well as web series on CW See ...

, sharing continuity with the other television series of the universe, and is a spin-off of '' Arrow'' and '' The Flash''. The season was produced by Berlanti Productions,

Warner Bros. Television Warner Bros. Television Studios (operating under the name Warner Bros. Television; formerly known as Warner Bros. Television Division) is an American television production and distribution studio of the Warner Bros. Television Group division of ...

, and DC Entertainment, with

Phil Klemmer Phil Klemmer is an American television writer and producer. He is known for his work on UPNs ''Veronica Mars'', the NBC series ''Chuck'', and The CW series ''Legends of Tomorrow''. Early life Klemmer grew up in Winchester, Virginia being kept ...

and

Keto Shimizu Keto Shimizu (born December 23, 1984) is an American television writer, producer, and comic book writer. She is known for her work on the North American adaptation of '' Being Human'' and for her substantial contributions to Greg Berlantis and ...

serving as showrunners. The season was ordered in January 2019. Production began that July, and wrapped in January 2020. Principal cast members

Brandon Routh Brandon James Routh (; born October 9, 1979) is an American actor. He portrayed Superman in the 2006 film '' Superman Returns'', which garnered him international fame. In 2011, he played the titular character of the film '' Dylan Dog: Dead of N ...

Caity Lotz Caitlin Marie Lotz (born December 30, 1986) is an American actress, dancer and singer. She has portrayed Stephanie Horton in '' Mad Men'', Officer Kirsten Landry in the MTV mockumentary series ''Death Valley'' (2011), Annie in '' The Pact'' (201 ...

, Maisie Richardson-Sellers,

Tala Ashe Talayeh Ashrafi ( fa, طلایه اشرفی; born July 24, 1984) known professionally as Tala Ashe, is an Iranian-American actress. She is known for her roles on the television series '' Smash'', ''American Odyssey'', and ''As the World Turns'', ...

Jes Macallan Jes Macallan is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Josslyn Carver in ABC drama series '' Mistresses'' and Ava Sharpe in The CW superhero comedy-drama ''Legends of Tomorrow''. Career Jes Macallan is an actor and director. B ...

Courtney Ford Courtney Braden Ford is an American actress. She is best known for her roles on television, such as playing Christine Hill on ''Dexter'' (2009), Portia Bellefleur on ''True Blood'' (2011), Lily on '' Parenthood'' (2012), Tonia Pyne on '' Murder ...

Amy Louise Pemberton Amy Louise Pemberton is a British actress. She portrays Gideon in the television series ''Legends of Tomorrow'' and voiced Elaena Glenmore in the ''Game of Thrones'' video game. She voiced Slone from ''Titanfall 2'' (2016), and played Private ...

Nick Zano Nick Zano (born March 8, 1978) is an American actor. Zano is known for having played Vince in The WB's sitcom '' What I Like About You''. He hosted MTV's former infotainment program about the film industry, ''Movie House'', and briefly worked a ...

Dominic Purcell Dominic Haakon Myrtved PurcellO'Connor, B,Break Out". ''Men's Fitness''. December/January 2007 Issue; retrieved 18 December 2006. (born 17 February 1970) is a British-Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayals of Lincoln Burrows in ...

and Matt Ryan return from previous seasons, while Olivia Swann was promoted to the main cast from her guest status in season four.

Episodes

Cast and characters

Main

as Ray Palmer / Atom *

as Sara Lance / White Canary * Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Charlie / Clotho *

as Zari Tarazi and Zari Tomaz *

Ava Sharpe ''Legends of Tomorrow'' is an American television series, developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Phil Klemmer, and Andrew Kreisberg, based on several characters from DC Comics. The series premiered in the United States on January 21, 2016, ...

as Nora Darhk *Olivia Swann as Astra Logue *

as Gideon *

as Nate Heywood / Steel *

as Mick Rory / Heat Wave * Matt Ryan as

John Constantine John Constantine () is a fictional character who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Constantine first appeared in ''Swamp Thing'' #37 (June 1985), and was created by Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette, Rick Veitch, and John Tot ...

LaMonica Garrett LaMonica Garrett (born May 23, 1975) is an American actor and former professional Slamball player. He is best known for Deputy Sheriff Cane in ''Sons of Anarchy'' (2011–2014), Mike Ritter in '' Designated Survivor'' (2016–2018), John in '' Pr ...

as Mobius / Anti-Monitor

Recurring

Ramona Young Ramona Abish Young (born in Los Angeles, California) is a Chinese American actress. She is known for her recurring roles on the television series ''Man Seeking Woman'', ''The Real O'Neals'', and ''Santa Clarita Diet''. Young is also known for he ...

Mona Wu ''Legends of Tomorrow'' is an American television series, developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Phil Klemmer, and Andrew Kreisberg, based on several characters from DC Comics. The series premiered in the United States on January 21, 2016, ...

Adam Tsekhman Adam Tsekhman is a Canadian actor best known for his role as Gary Green on the television series ''Legends of Tomorrow''. Early life Adam Tsekhman was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but raised in Toronto, Ontario. His parents were Ukrainian imm ...

as Gary Green *Shayan Sobhian as

Behrad Tarazi ''Legends of Tomorrow'' is an American television series, developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Phil Klemmer, and Andrew Kreisberg, based on several characters from DC Comics. The series premiered in the United States on January 21, 201 ...

*Lisa Marie DiGiacinto as Ali *

Sarah Strange Sarah Strange is a Canadian actress. She has worked in a variety of American and Canadian television and film projects, including Helen in the Canadian drama ''Da Vinci's Inquest'' and as the voice actor for Ranma Saotome. Life and career Strang ...

Lachesis Lachesis ( ; grc, Λάχεσις, Lákhesis, disposer of lots; from , 'to obtain by lot, by fate, or by the will of the gods'), in ancient Greek religion, was the second of the Three Fates, or Moirai; the others were her sisters, Clotho and ...

* Mina Sundwall as Lita **Emmerson Sadler as Lita (ages 5 and 7) **Scarlett Jando as Lita (ages 8, 9 & 10) *

Joanna Vanderham Joanna Vanderham (born 17 October 1990) is a Scottish actress. She was nominated for an International Emmy Award for her debut role in the Sky One crime drama '' The Runaway'' (2011). Early life Vanderham was born in Perth and grew up in Scon ...

Atropos Atropos (; grc, Ἄτροπος "without turn") or Aisa, in Greek mythology, was one of the three Moirai, goddesses of fate and destiny. Her Roman equivalent was Morta. Atropos was the oldest of the Three Fates, and was known as "the Infle ...

"'DC's Legends Of Tomorrow' Adds Joanna Vanderham As Season 5 Villain" - Deadline
/ref>

Guest

"Crisis on Infinite Earths"

Production

Development

On January 31, 2019,

renewed the series for a fifth season.

and

serve as the season's showrunners.

Writing

The fourth season ended with Astra Logue restoring many notorious historical figures like Genghis Khan,

Joseph Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili; – 5 March 1953) was a Georgian revolutionary and Soviet political leader who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953. He held power as General Secretar ...

and Charles Manson to life. Klemmer said these characters would be called "Encores" and have the

villain of the week "Villain of the week" (or, depending on genre, "monster of the week", "freak of the week" or "alien of the week") is an antagonist that only appears in one episode of a multi-episode work of fiction. A villain of the week is commonly seen in Br ...

treatment, while the

Big Bad Big Bad (abbreviated to BB or BBEG for ''big bad evil guy'') is a term to describe a major recurring adversary, usually the chief villain or antagonist in a particular broadcast season, originally used by the ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' televi ...

of the season would not be demon-related, later revealed to be

and

of the three Fates. He explained this was done with the intention of returning to the series' roots, of being rooted "more firmly in history and historical periods and figures and true villains". Klemmer added that the season would explore what

Zari Tomaz Zari Tomaz and Zari Tarazi are fictional characters portrayed by Tala Ashe in The CW's Arrowverse franchise, primarily the television series ''Legends of Tomorrow''. Loosely inspired by the characters Andrea Thomas and Adrianna Tomaz, both of ...

would look like if she "lived a more charmed life" and did not come from a "dystopian, authoritarian future". The season also explores Zari's relationship with her brother

. Following the season four finale, the Time Bureau was shut down and its former director

was left unemployed. The fifth season sees Ava living on the ''Waverider'' with her girlfriend Sara Lance, trying to figure out how she fits on the team. It continues to grow the "Avalance" relationship, and also features Sara developing the power of precognition.

Casting

Main cast members

, Maisie Richardson-Sellers,

and Matt Ryan return as Ray Palmer, Sara Lance, Charlie, Zari Tomaz, Ava Sharpe, Gideon, Nora Darhk, Nate Heywood,

Mick Rory Heat Wave (Mick Rory) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an enemy of The Flash and a member of The Rogues along with Captain Cold. Actor Dominic Purcell has portrayed the character in The CW's Arro ...

, and

respectively. This is the final season for Routh, Ford and Richardson-Sellers, with the episode "Romeo v Juliet: Dawn of Justness" marking Routh and Ford's final appearance as series regulars, while Richardson-Sellers departed after the season finale. Olivia Swann, who guest starred as Astra Logue in the fourth season, was promoted to the main cast for the fifth season.

, who starred as

in the fourth season, returned as a recurring guest star. Tala Ashe, who portrayed Zari Tomaz in seasons three and four, returned this season as Zari Tarazi, a new version of the character from an altered timeline while Zari Tomaz returned in a recurring capacity.

Filming

Filming began on July 15, 2019. The fifth episode of the season, "Mortal Khanbat", marks Lotz's directorial debut. Filming wrapped in January 2020. Although the "

" episode was the eighth episode filmed, the events of the episode occur before the rest of the season.

Arrowverse tie-ins

In December 2018, during the end of the annual Arrowverse crossover " Elseworlds", a follow-up crossover was announced titled "

" based on the comic book series of the same name. The crossover features

Tyler Hoechlin Tyler Lee Hoechlin (; born September 11, 1987) is an American actor. Initially earning recognition for starring as Michael Sullivan Jr. in the 2002 film ''Road to Perdition'', Hoechlin went on to star as Martin Brewer on '' 7th Heaven'' between ...

reprising his role as Clark Kent / Superman from ''

Supergirl Supergirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original, current, and most well known Supergirl is Kara Zor-El, the cousin of superhero Superman. The character made her fir ...

'', while Routh portrays another version of Superman. It took place over five episodes–three in December 2019 and two in January 2020, with ''Legends of Tomorrow''s episode concluding the crossover. The ''Legends of Tomorrow'' episode is considered a special episode, and not the series' fifth season premiere.

Release

Broadcast

The season premiered on The CW on January 21, 2020. The season ran for 15 episodes, which included the special episode produced for the "

" crossover before the season premiere.

Marketing

The first official trailer for the season was released on December 5, 2019.

Reception

Ratings

Notes

References

{{Arrowverse Legends of Tomorrow seasons 2020 American television seasons Television series set in 2020