On January 31, 2019, The CW renewed the series for a fifth season. Phil Klemmer and Keto Shimizu serve as the season's showrunners.
Writing
The fourth season ended with Astra Logue restoring many notorious historical figures like Genghis Khan, Joseph Stalin and Charles Manson to life. Klemmer said these characters would be called "Encores" and have the villain of the week treatment, while the Big Bad of the season would not be demon-related, later revealed to be Lachesis and Atropos 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 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 Behrad Tarazi. Following the season four finale, the Time Bureau was shut down and its former director Ava Sharpe 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 Brandon Routh, Caity Lotz, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Tala Ashe, Jes Macallan, Amy Louise Pemberton, Courtney Ford, Nick Zano, Dominic Purcell and Matt Ryan return as Ray Palmer, Sara Lance, Charlie, Zari Tomaz, Ava Sharpe, Gideon, Nora Darhk, Nate Heywood, Mick Rory, and John Constantine 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. Ramona Young, who starred as Mona Wu in the fourth season, returned as a guest star.
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. Despite the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" episode being 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 crossover "Elseworlds", a follow up crossover was announced titled "Crisis on Infinite Earths" based on the comic book series of the same name. The crossover features Tyler Hoechlin reprising his role as Clark Kent / Superman from Supergirl, 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 Tomorrows episode of the crossover airing in January. The Legends of Tomorrow episode is considered a special episode, and not the series' 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 "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover before the season premiere.
Marketing
The first official trailer for the season was released on December 5, 2019.
