A terrific ensemble cast can turn a good show into a great one. That’s what happening with The CW’s Arrow, where a breakthrough cast of young and veteran actors is helping propel the superhero series from cult following to mainstream success.

Anchored by talented eye candy Stephen Amell as the titular lead character and his alter Oliver Queen, Arrow offers something different for those who like their superheroes without all the big budget pyrotechnics. The cast works well together to create a gritty, believable world where it’s not that hard to imagine a rich young playboy who trades in his life of leisure to help those in need.

Also generating buzz for Arrow are Paul Blackthorne as the nefarious Detective Lance and David Ramsay, who plays John Diggle, Queen’s bodyguard and chauffeur. Ramsay is well known to fans of Dexter, where he played a sketchy CI informant.

Keep up to date with all of your favorite shows with The CW App… Available free on the Windows Store. Watch Now.  Share Now.  Get it Now.

What about the women of Arrow?

Arrow also stars some of the hottest women on primetime, including Katie Cassidy (Gossip Girl, Melrose Place) who stars as Laurel Lance, a crusader for social justice with complicated ties to Oliver Queen/Arrow.  Willa Holland also brings established TV chops to the series, having played roles in hits The O.C. and Gossip Girl.

Arrow’s Katie Cassidy is returning to The CW’s Gossip Girl for its series finale. The actress, who played Juliet Sharp on the show during Season 4, was spotted on set of the drama. No details are known yet regarding what bring Juliet back to town. [EW]

Who won the ratings game on Thursday?

It was another good night for The CW as the premieres of The Vampire Diaries and the Beauty and the Beast re-boot had 3.5 and 3.2 million viewers respectively. Not surprisingly thought, CBS juggernaut The Big Bang Theory led the pack in the 8 PM hour with more than 13 million viewers and contributed to CBS’ win of the night. Meanwhile, ABC edged out FOX for second place. Numbers for the vice presidential debate were down from the presidential debate but still performed respectably. [Zap2it]

Oprah’s Favorite Things is back! The two-hour special will air on OWN and feature Oprah Winfrey revealing her must haves to a group of military spouses. This year, viewers will also get a chance to get in on the action with a watch and win opportunity during select segments of the program. Oprah’s Favorite Things: 2012 will air on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 8 PM. [OWN]

Colton Haynes is leaving MTV’s Teen Wolf. The actor, who played Jackson Whittemore on the drama, is reportedly being forced out of the show, as producers only wanted him to appear on 12 of the upcoming 24 episodes of Season 3. When the second season ended, his character had transitioned into a werewolf. The actor tweeted Thursday: “These past few yrs have been the best of my life. I’m sad that this chapter has ended, but excited for a new one to begin. Thanks for the love.” [US Weekly]

One of the stars of the new CW Show Arrow, Katie Cassidy was floored when she found out about former Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively’s wedding to Ryan Reynolds.

Speaking with Celebuzz on the carpet Friday at Entertainment Weekly’s pre-Emmy party at Fig & Olive in Beverly Hills she laughed and said, “Who doesn’t want to marry Ryan Reynolds? Hello! Just being realistic.”

She continued, “It’s awesome. She’s hot. Two Beautiful people.”

Arrow will be Cassidy’s third show on the youth-skewing network having previously appeared on the hit Gossip Girl and the cancelled too soon remake of Melrose Place.

So how is she feeling about Arrow so far?

“It’s awesome. It’s a lot of action. It’s fun. I can’t believe that I am lucky enough to be a part of a show like this,” revealed Cassidy, 25.

“I watch what happens in front of me, and I’m like this is something that you are supposed to be doing while making a movie. Why is this happening in front of me this is nuts? So it’s fun. It’s crazy, and a lot of work. Everyone has the same vision which I think is very important regardless of whether you are making TV or film. Its been really, really good.”

The actress told us that fans can definitely expect a lot of drama and action in the forthcoming comic-book show. Cassidy plays Laurel Lance on Arrow. With the return of her cheating ex-boyfriend, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), to the world after he was shipwrecked on an island for five years, she needs to learn to readjust to his presence in Starling City. However, she doesn’t yet know about his alter ego, Arrow, which Queen embodies in an effort to bring justice to their city.

Of the romantic entanglements involved she says, “There’s definitely a love triangle that’s going on between Oliver, my character and Tommy (Colin Donnell). There is a Gossip Girl element to it but then a supernatural element to it. You get the best of both worlds.”

To see all of Cassidy’s interview with Celebuzz watch the video above.

Arrow premieres on Wednesday, October 10th at 8 PM on the CW.

Will you be watching Arrow this fall? Let us know in the comments below!

Watch our interview with Cassidy’s Arrow co-star Annie Illonzeh from the Entertainment Weekly pre-Emmy party below.

Katie Cassidy knows a good thing when she sees it. After becoming the breakout star of The CW’s short-lived Melrose Place and guest starring on several of their other series, she has signed on to star on its new hero show, Arrow.

As Laurel, Cassidy’s character has a long, complicated history with her childhood friend, wealthy playboy-turned-vigilante Oliver. And the starlet has nothing but good things to say about the show’s star, Stephen Amell.

“He’s great. He’s a real hard worker,” she tells reporters at San Diego Comic-Con. “And he’s also so positive and confident. And that’s what co-stars want.”

What else do co-stars want? Cassidy reveals her shirtless request.

One of the highlights from the early trailers for the series includes Amell doing these pretty uh-mazing climbing chin-ups. Apparently when he was learning how to do them, Cassidy saw the early promise of having him do the exercise with less clothes on.

“I literally made him do it with his shirt off and videotape himself,” Cassidy, 25, laughs. “And I made him play me the video. And it was funny, because anytime we’d go out with the cast or friends and I was with him and someone hadn’t seen it, I’d be like, ‘Oh my gosh, you have to see this. Stephen, get your phone out.’ And I’d make him play the video.”

Watch Cassidy tell the story in the video above. And below, take another look at the shirtless chin-ups from the trailer.

Arrow debuts Wednesday, Oct. 10 on The CW.

Will you be tuning in for more shirtless co-star antics? Tell us in the comments section below.

On Monday, Celebuzz broke down our dream casting for who should play Jose Rodriguez in the 50 Shades of Grey film adaptation, but now we’re tackling the part of Anastasia Steele’s BFF, Kate Kavanuagh.

While many people have been focusing on who should play Ana, the mousy 21-year-old who enters into a S & M relationship with a rich, mysterious billionaire named Christian Grey, there are still plenty of parts that need to be figured out, with Kate being one of them. In the book, the recent college grad is described as “gorgeous, strawberry blonde hair, green eyes,” and throughout the novel Kate is fiercely loyal, always having Ana’s back when she believes their relationship is getting too intense. Also, let’s not forget that Kate is the reason that Christian and Ana even meet at all!

So, who do we think would be good for the part?

From Gossip Girl‘s Blake Lively (she’s used to dramatic situations!) to Hunger Games star Levin Rambin (she could definitely have that fiesty vibe thanks to playing a “bad” tribute in the blockbuster film) check out who we think should take on the role by clicking through the gallery!

Also, see who we think would be good to play Christian and Ana below!

Apparently with a name like Kate or Katie comes the responsibility of looking awesome in a bikini! Click the pics for Celebuzz‘s guide to the hottest Kates in Hollywood!

From new royal Kate Middleton to pop star Katy Perry to actress Kate Hudson, leave us a few quips and comments to let us know which same-name gal is your fave!

Here’s what some of the Kates/Katys are up to…

Kate Middleton

Kate comes to America! The newlywed joined her husband Prince William on a trip to North America. Here she is looking sexy and sleek boarding a plane in route to the states. 

Katy Perry

The pop star recently released a video called “Last Friday (TGIF)” that featured a slew of celebs and Katy as a geek-chic gal. 

Kate Bosworth

The actress and her super-sexy boyfriend Alexander Skarsgard star in a new thriller Straw Dogs. Check out the trailer below!

For more sexy Kate/Katie/Katy news and pics, be sure to follow Celebuzz on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr for more Beyonce news, pics and vids!

Leighton Meester, rocking her new bangs, was all smiles as she stepped out Thursday in New York for Monte Carlo press duties at the Ritz-Carlton.

Could her big grin have anything to do with the fact that she just came off a weekend hanging with her Country Strong costar and rumored real-life love interest Garrett Hedlund?

The two certainly looked like a very happy duo while hanging together in Los Angeles!

Meester’s Monte Carlo costar Selena Gomez was more business while entering the hotel, chatting on her phone (hey Justin Bieber?) and holding a large Starbucks in her hand.

Katie Cassidy looked chic in a sleeveless dress to her knees while making a graceful exit from her car before meeting up with her costars inside.

Monte Carlo hits theaters this Friday, July 1. Check it out!

Can’t wait for Monte Carlo and looking for an excuse to listen to Selena Gomez‘s hit song “Who Says” (again)? You’re in luck!

The 18-year-old star rereleased the music video for the toe-tapping song, and included some exclusive clips from the movie (out July 1).

Selena tweeted out the good news on Monday afternoon and said:

“‘Who Says” new music video with scenes from Monte Carlo”

The movie, which also stars Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy and Cory Monteith, stars Selena as a regular teen who has a case of mistaken identity while traveling abroad. Check it out for yourself above!

Need more SelGo? Take a look at her as she hosted Sunday night’s MuchMusic Video awards on Sunday night below!

The trailer for Selena Gomez‘s latest big screen role, Monte Carlo, has hit the internet and it’s looks a perfect summer movie!

The teen sensation plays a simple girl who decides to travel Europe with a couple of her besties (played by Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy) and gets mistaken for an heiress which eventually leads to a lavish adventure full of clothes, private jets and (natch) boys! (Also, keep an eye out for Glee stud Cory Monteith!)

The film hits theaters on July 1. 

Does this (pleasantly) remind you of instant classic The Lizzie McGuire Movie? Check out the trailer above and let us know if you agree by tweeting us @CELEBUZZ or hit up our Facebook page!

We were quite certain we had banned these little devils from from ever showing their Croc-y little faces in the world of celebrity again, and that includes on the set of any film, flick or television series. Yet, here we are, in the middle of Leighton Meester‘s movie set with her and her banana Crocs. Not only that, but her co-star Katie Cassidy was spotted at her side sporting her own pair of candy apple reds. Sweet Jesus.

Click through the gallery to see these two surrender their shame in the name of Crocs. And for more fashion wonderment check out our coverage at Fashion FAILs & FTWs.

“AnnaLynne who?” is all we’re thinking when we see these new pictures of New Moon beefcake Kellan Lutz and Melrose Place stunner Katie Cassidy from the Lisa Kline Boutique Launch Party for Division-E’s Spring Collection last night in Los Angeles. Sounds like a match made in heaven (or a VERY important corporate board room in Hollywood).

Speaking of Kellan, he recently confirmed to E! that he is definitely up for the lead role in the remake of Conan the Barbarian.

“I’ve been auditioning. They’re finalizing so they’re trying to figure out what happens next. I’ve been waiting for a while, doing screen tests. There are just so many cooks in the kitchen. If it happens, it happens…Regardless, it’s not gonna be the new Arnold Schwarzenegger type of movie, no one’s going to try and play that role. I think they’re going younger, a different type of story. I’m just excited, because the script is great.”

Dig into our new photo gallery and tell us if you think they’d make a cute couple too!

The upcoming CW revamp of ’90s nighttime soap Melrose Place was underway and filming in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday.

Joining cast members Jessica Lucas, Shaun Sipos, Katie Cassidy, Michael Rady and Thomas Calabro was Ashlee Simpson, who plays Violet Foster. Simpson’s character is said to possess “a naivete that masks the shrewd sex-kitten within.”

Simpson showed up on the set carrying a big ol’ bag from the Sprinkles cupcake shop.

Smart girl; if the new Melrose Place has nearly as much drama and intrigue as its predecessor did, Ashlee will need to make some allies quick.

Have your say in the comments section: Are you eager to check out the new Melrose Place? And do you think it will match up to the original?