John Constantine (Arrowverse)

Constantine journeys across America alongside his friend Chas Chandler and a young woman named Zed Martin. Along the way, he solves supernatural mysteries, vanquishes demons, and clashes with officious angels sent to watch over him while protecting the world from the "Rising Darkness". He is also haunted by the memory of Astra Logue, a young girl he condemned to hell with a botched exorcism.

Constantine first appears on the Arrowverse on Arrow in the show's fourth season. In flashbacks, Oliver Queen meets Constantine during his fourth year away from Star City when he assists Constantine in retrieving a magical artifact from Lian Yu. In the present, Constantine assists Oliver in performing a 'reverse exorcism' to restore the soul of the recently-resurrected Sara Lance.{{Cite episode |title=Haunted |episode-link=Haunted (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=The CW |date=November 4, 2015 |season=4 |number=5}} Later, Oliver mentions that Constantine has gone to Hell; after returning, John puts Oliver in touch with Esrin Fortuna.

Constantine returns in the third season of Legends of Tomorrow, when he offers the team advice on dealing with the supernatural as they hunt the demon Mallus, whose other-dimensional prison has been weakened after the Legends were forced to interfere in their own history to stop the Legion of Doom. After the Legends defeat Mallus by deliberately breaking his prison open so that they can confront him directly, Constantine reveals that their actions have unleashed a wave of exorcised demons and other supernatural monsters.{{Cite episode |title=The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly |episode-link=The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly (Legends of Tomorrow) |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=April 9, 2018 |season=3 |number=18}}

In the fourth season, he joins the team as their magical expert as they hunt the new monsters across history, but it is revealed that he is on the run from a supernatural creature hunting him as a consequence of his past actions.{{Cite episode |title=The Virgin Gary |episode-link=The Virgin Gary |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=October 22, 2018 |season=4 |number=1}} During a visit to 1970s London, he finds his parents' pub and attempts to prevent his own birth to save his mother's life, but the timeline automatically prevents him doing so.{{Cite episode |title=Dancing Queen |episode-link=Dancing Queen (Legends of Tomorrow) |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=November 5, 2018 |season=4 |number=3}} Constantine attempts to use time travel to change history to save the life of Desmond, a former lover who sacrificed himself to save Constantine from the demon Neron, but when this creates increasingly twisted timelines, Constantine accepts the need to restore the original timeline and comes clean to the rest of the team about his issue with Neron.{{Cite episode |title=Legends of To-Meow-Meow |episode-link=Legends of To-Meow-Meow |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=December 10, 2018 |season=4 |number=8}} Constantine eventually manages to save Desmond by luring Neron out of his body.{{Cite episode |title=The Eggplant, the Witch & the Wardrobe |episode-link=The Eggplant, the Witch & the Wardrobe |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=April 22, 2019 |season=4 |number=12}} However, when Neron takes control of his Legends teammate Ray Palmer, Constantine enters hell in order to save him.{{Cite episode |title=Nip/Stuck |episode-link=Nip/Stuck |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=May 6, 2019 |season=4 |number=14}} In hell, Constantine meets Astra, who has grown up and refuses to be saved by him.{{Cite episode |title=Terms of Service |episode-link=Terms of Service (Legends of Tomorrow) |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=May 13, 2019 |season=4 |number=15}} After recovering Ray's soul, Constantine tricks Neron into breaking his own word (Neron had promised that he would not hurt Ray's friend Nate Heywood and Nate fought Neron while in disguise), forcing the demon out of Ray's body, before finally killing him.{{Cite episode |title=Hey, World! |episode-link=Hey, World! |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=May 20, 2019 |season=4 |number=16}}

In season five, Constantine works against an adult Astra Logue, the victim of a botched exorcism. He searches for the Loom of Fate, hoping to rewrite reality in order to give Astra and her mother, Natalie, happier lives. Constantine also begins a relationship with Zari Tarazi.

In season six, Constantine's magical abilities are sacrificed in order to stop Aleister Crowley. He searches for the Fountain of Imperium in hopes of regaining them, but to no avail. He comes across magical potions that temporarily grant him bizarre power, and becomes addicted to them despite the deadly effects on his health. Although Zari convinces Constantine to turn his life around, he is taken over by his "dark side" and works with Bishop to link with the Fountain. However, Bishop anticipates a betrayal from Constantine and poisons him, destroying the Fountain. He dies at Astra's and Zari's side, apologizing for his misdeeds. He is able to return from Hell, but remains damned. He parts ways with Zari.{{Cite episode |title=The Fungus Amongus |episode-link=The Fungus Amongus |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |network=The CW |date=September 5, 2021 |season=6 |number=15}}

During the crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths", Constantine assists Sara, Barry Allen, and Mia Smoak resurrect a deceased Oliver using a Lazarus Pit on Earth-18 in North Dakota during the time of the Old West. It is revealed that he has multiversal knowledge. However, the presence of the antimatter wave causes the pillars of sorcery to tumble, weakening him and preventing him from restoring Oliver's soul, as he did with Sara's.{{Cite episode |title=Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two |episode-link=Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse) |series=Batwoman |series-link=Batwoman (TV series) |network=The CW |date=December 9, 2019 |season=1 |number=9}} As a last resort, he takes Mia and John Diggle to Earth-666 where Lucifer Morningstar helps them get into Purgatory to save Oliver's soul. There, Constantine encounters the Earth-666 doppelganger of Jim Corrigan, who transfers the powers of the Spectre to Oliver for him to use to save the Multiverse. As a result, the trio return to Earth-1 in failure and Constantine and the other heroes are killed by a wave of antimatter while the Paragons are sent to the Vanishing Point to regroup and prepare for their battle against the Anti-Monitor.{{Cite episode |title=Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three |episode-link=Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse) |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |network=The CW |date=December 10, 2019 |season=6 |number=9}}

A TV adaptation starring John Constantine was first announced on September 26, 2013.{{Cite news |last=Siegel |first=Lucas |date=September 26, 2013 |title=Constantine TV Series in Development at NBC |work=Newsarama |publisher=Purch Group |url=https://www.newsarama.com/19044-constantine-tv-series-in-development-at-nbc.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428072830/https://www.newsarama.com/19044-constantine-tv-series-in-development-at-nbc.html |archive-date=April 28, 2017}} The series would be developed by Daniel Cerone and David S. Goyer, and air on NBC.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=September 26, 2013 |title=Adaptation Of DC Comics' Constantine From Daniel Cerone & David Goyer Lands At NBC |url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/dc-comics-constantine-daniel-cerone-david-goyer-nbc-warner-bros-tv-598006/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041827/https://deadline.com/2013/09/dc-comics-constantine-daniel-cerone-david-goyer-nbc-warner-bros-tv-598006/ |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood }} Welsh actor Matt Ryan was cast as Constantine on February 21, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=February 21, 2014 |title=Matt Ryan Lands Title Role In NBC Pilot 'Constantine' Based On DC Comic |url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/matt-ryan-nbc-dc-constantine-687530/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017094115/https://deadline.com/2014/02/matt-ryan-nbc-dc-constantine-687530/ |archive-date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood }}{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Russ |date=February 23, 2014 |title=Matt Ryan Takes Lead Role in 'Constantine' |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/530513/matt-ryan-takes-lead-role-in-constantine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180806115405/https://www.slashfilm.com/matt-ryan-takes-lead-role-in-constantine/ |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=/Film }} According to Goyer, Constantine's portrayal on the show would stick closer to the source material than the 2005 feature film did, which included portraying the character as blonde and British.{{Cite web |last=Pahle |first=Rebecca |date=March 10, 2014 |title=Constantine and Preacher TV Writers Talk Sticking to the Source Material, Hair Color |url=https://www.themarysue.com/constantine-preacher-tv-show-accuracy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916035058/https://www.themarysue.com/constantine-preacher-tv-show-accuracy/ |archive-date=September 16, 2017 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=The Mary Sue}} According to pilot episode director Neil Marshall, Constantine would not be allowed to smoke on the show due to network restrictions, though the character was shown to smoke on the show itself.{{Cite web |last=Chipman |first=Bob |date=June 30, 2014 |title=Constantine Will Not Be Allowed to Smoke on TV |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/constantine-will-not-be-allowed-to-smoke-on-tv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401213455/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/135766-Constantine-Will-Not-Be-Allowed-to-Smoke-on-TV |archive-date=April 1, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=The Escapist |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |format=June 30, 2014}}{{Cite magazine |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=July 13, 2014 |title='Constantine' team on why NBC character isn't bisexual, smoking cigarettes |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/07/13/constantine-bisexual-smoking/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115182638/http://ew.com/article/2014/07/13/constantine-bisexual-smoking/ |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Gina |date=October 24, 2014 |title='Constantine': Matt Ryan plays demon hunter as flawed, tormented, angry |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/tv/constantine-matt-ryan-plays-demon-hunter-as-flawed-tormented-angry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019222442/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/tv/constantine-matt-ryan-plays-demon-hunter-as-flawed-tormented-angry/ |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=HeroComplex}} A decision not to explore Constantine's bisexuality in the show caused some consternation with fans, although the character continued to be portrayed as bisexual in the comics.{{Cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=June 11, 2015 |title=The New Constantine Comic Is Way More Comfortable With His Bisexuality |url=https://gizmodo.com/the-new-constantine-comic-is-way-more-comfortable-with-1710643002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613174351/http://io9.com/the-new-constantine-comic-is-way-more-comfortable-with-1710643002 |archive-date=June 13, 2015 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=Gizmodo}} Despite a positive reaction from fans, poor ratings led to the show being cancelled after thirteen episodes.

In August 2015, it was announced that Ryan would appear as Constantine on Arrow in the fourth season episode "Haunted", per a "one-time-only" deal."{{Cite web |last=Holbrook |first=Damian |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Constantine's Matt Ryan Conjures Up Magical Return on Arrow |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/33819/constantines-matt-ryan-conjures-up-magical-return-on-arrow/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813190942/http://www.tvinsider.com/article/33819/constantines-matt-ryan-conjures-up-magical-return-on-arrow/ |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=TV Insider}}{{Cite web |last=White |first=Brett |date=August 12, 2015 |title=Constantine's "Arrow" Appearance Tied to White Canary's Return |url=https://www.cbr.com/constantines-arrow-appearance-tied-to-white-canarys-return/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813080141/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/constantines-arrow-appearance-tied-to-white-canarys-return |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=January 18, 2019 |website=Comic Book Resources}} Season four co-showrunner Wendy Mericle confirmed that this version of Constantine would be the same character that had appeared in the NBC series.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=August 12, 2015 |title=Arrow: Constantine Will Help Bring Sara Lance Back |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/12/arrow-constantine-will-help-bring-sara-lance-back |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813184826/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/12/arrow-constantine-will-help-bring-sara-lance-back |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2019 |website=IGN}}

Ryan's involvement on Legends of Tomorrow was first announced on October 9, 2017,{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=October 9, 2018 |title=Matt Ryan's Constantine will appear in season 3 of Legends of Tomorrow |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/10/09/legends-of-tomorrow-matt-ryan-constantine-season-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211083243/http://ew.com/tv/2017/10/09/legends-of-tomorrow-matt-ryan-constantine-season-3/ |archive-date=December 11, 2017 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Meredith Corporation}} to appear in a two-part arc during the show's third season;{{Cite web |last=Warner |first=Sam |date=October 10, 2017 |title=It's official: Constantine will appear on DC's Legends of Tomorrow in season 3 |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/dcs-legends-of-tomorrow/news/a840281/constantine-dc-legends-of-tomorrow-season-3-confirmed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211165454/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/dcs-legends-of-tomorrow/news/a840281/constantine-dc-legends-of-tomorrow-season-3-confirmed/ |archive-date=December 11, 2017 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=Digital Spy}} specifically, episodes 9 and 10. According to executive producer Phil Klemmer, having Ryan reprise his "iconic [and] legendary role" is something that he and Marc Guggenheim had been working toward since the show's first season.{{Cite web |last=Bucksbaum |first=Sydney |date=October 9, 2017 |title=Matt Ryan to Reprise 'Constantine' Role for 2-Part 'Legends of Tomorrow' Arc |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/matt-ryan-constantine-legends-tomorrow-2-part-arc-1047123/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720225535/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/matt-ryan-constantine-legends-tomorrow-2-part-arc-1047123 |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Lynne Segall}} Regarding Constantine's inclusion on the show, Klemmer stated that "an alienated, chain-smoking, bisexual, world-weary demonologist would feel right at home among our Legends".{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Megan |date=October 9, 2017 |title='DC's Legends Of Tomorrow' Producer Confirms Constantine's Bisexuality |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2017/10/09/legends-of-tomorrow-constantine-bisexual/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114032947/http://comicbook.com/dc/2017/10/09/legends-of-tomorrow-constantine-bisexual/ |archive-date=January 14, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=Comicbook.com}} Ryan was promoted to series regular for the fourth season of Legends of Tomorrow.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 4, 2018 |title=Matt Ryan To Join 'DC's Legends Of Tomorrow' As Series Regular For Season 4 |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/matt-ryan-promoted-dcs-legends-of-tomorrow-series-regular-season-4-renewal-john-constantine-1202345972/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412184919/https://deadline.com/2018/03/matt-ryan-promoted-dcs-legends-of-tomorrow-series-regular-season-4-renewal-john-constantine-1202345972/ |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Ryan spoke to the relationship between the character seen in the NBC series and the one seen on Legends of Tomorrow and in the Arrowverse. He said the two were the same character with "the same DNA", and likened each appearance to that of different comic book writers and artists working with the character: "He has the same outline, but he looks different. The hair is slightly different. He has a slightly different cadence sometimes. Different artists and different writers write him in different ways." Ryan also noted that while the fourth season of Legends of Tomorrow mentions the Astra storyline from the NBC series, it would not explore the Brujeria storyline, though Constantine "still carries that baggage around with him".{{Cite web |last=Cairns |first=Bryan |date=November 26, 2018 |title=Matt Ryan Explains How Constantine Confronts His Dark Past (And Old Shows) In Legends of Tomorrow |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/matt-ryan-explains-how-constantine-confronts-his-dark-past-and-old-shows-in-legends-of |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222083646/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/matt-ryan-explains-how-constantine-confronts-his-dark-past-and-old-shows-in-legends-of |archive-date=December 22, 2018 |access-date=May 28, 2019 |website=Syfy Wire}} However the fifth season did continue the story line leading to Astra joining the Legends.{{Cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=2019-07-11 |title=Exclusive: 'Legends of Tomorrow' ups Astra actress to series regular for season 5 |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/07/11/legends-of-tomorrow-olivia-swann-astra-season-5-big-bad/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714040134/https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/16/arrowverse-crisis-on-infinite-earths-details/ |url-status=live }} Constantine ceased to appear in the Arrowverse after the sixth season of Legends of Tomorrow as Warner Bros terminated the series' access to the character.{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Adam |date=2024-07-26 |title=Legends Of Tomorrow's Marc Guggenheim Clarifies Why John Constantine Stopped Appearing In The Arrowverse Show, And It's So Frustrating |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/superheroes/legends-of-tomorrow-marc-guggenheim-john-constantine-stopped-appearing-arrowverse-show-matt-ryan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241216031241/https://www.cinemablend.com/superheroes/legends-of-tomorrow-marc-guggenheim-john-constantine-stopped-appearing-arrowverse-show-matt-ryan |archive-date=December 16, 2024 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Cinema Blend |language=en }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Arrowverse}}

{{Legends of Tomorrow}}

{{Hellblazer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Constantine, John}}

Category:American male characters in television

Category:Arrow (TV series) characters

Category:Constantine (TV series)

Category:DC Comics characters who can teleport

Category:DC Comics characters who use magic

Category:DC Comics LGBTQ superheroes

Category:DC Comics television characters

Category:Fictional bisexual men

Category:Fictional demon hunters

Category:British superheroes

Category:Fictional English people

Category:Fictional exorcists

Category:Fictional LGBTQ characters in television

Category:Fictional paranormal investigators

Category:The Flash (2014 TV series) characters

Category:Legends of Tomorrow characters

Category:Time travelers