In 2011, fans of DC Comics received a thrilling announcement: Deadman, a TV series based on the beloved yet often overlooked character Boston Brand, was in development at The CW. Under the guidance of Erik Kripke, known for his work on Supernatural, the series promised a darkly mystical journey through the afterlife and into the gritty depths of the mortal world. But as fate would have it, Deadman was ultimately shelved in favor of Arrow, a show that would go on to reshape the landscape of DC adaptations on television and lead to the creation of the Arrowverse. The tale of Deadman was ripe for exploration, especially under Kripke's guidance. Boston Brand, an acrobat and trapeze artist with a rebellious streak, was murdered during one of his circus performances, leaving him in a unique state between life and death. Granted the supernatural ability to inhabit the bodies of the living, Boston roamed the world unseen, compelled to seek justice not only for his own murder but also for those who could not seek it for themselves. The character's story is a blend of crime thriller, supernatural drama, and redemption arc, elements that were destined to be woven into a richly atmospheric series.
Kripke's involvement fueled speculation among fans about how Deadman would take shape on screen. With Supernatural, Kripke had proven his ability to balance horror with heartfelt character exploration, creating an atmosphere that was eerie yet grounded in human emotion. Fans imagined Deadman taking a similar approach—Boston would likely be portrayed not only as a ghostly figure but as a flawed, relatable anti-hero grappling with the irony of only finding purpose in death. Kripke was fascinated by the idea of Deadman exploring themes of justice and mortality. The show was set to follow Boston's unique ability to enter the lives of various people, "possessing" them to solve their own problems while inching closer to solving the mystery of his own demise. Each episode would have seen Boston in a different setting, interacting with strangers whose lives were marred by unsolved injustices, corruption, and dark secrets. This anthology-style approach was intended to give Deadman a fresh storytelling style within the superhero genre, pushing the boundaries of what audiences expected from a DC adaptation.
The timing of Deadman's development was no coincidence. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, superhero TV was dominated by characters whose stories were action-driven and largely focused on vigilantism and traditional heroism. But Boston Brand was a different kind of hero—one tied to the occult and the surreal. The CW saw an opportunity to introduce audiences to a character who could appeal to fans of both supernatural tales and comic book adventures, a crossover that would bring in fans of shows like Supernatural and Smallville while introducing a new kind of hero: one who was dead yet deeply human, and motivated by justice rather than power. The character's ability to step into other people's lives created an endless well of storytelling potential. By exploring the lives of others through Boston's interventions, Deadman could have showcased a wide range of issues and personal stories, blending the format of a supernatural procedural with deeply emotional arcs. This premise opened the door for social commentary and mystery, bringing new perspectives to familiar themes of justice, redemption, and morality.
The momentum behind Deadman was strong. Kripke was attached to develop the series, and initial scripts were reportedly completed, though they never saw the light of day. However, behind the scenes, another show was taking shape that would change the course of DC adaptations on The CW forever: Arrow. As the network considered its options, it became clear that Arrow, with its grounded, action-oriented story and iconic Green Arrow character, had a stronger appeal. A show about a brooding, morally complex archer seemed better suited for prime-time than a ghostly crimefighter whose concept was riskier and more niche. The decision to move forward with Arrow was ultimately a strategic one. The CW hoped that Arrow would set the stage for an interconnected DC universe on television, something that Deadman, with its more episodic and standalone format, might not have been able to achieve as effectively. In October 2012, Arrow premiered to a solid reception, and The CW's DC television universe, later dubbed the Arrowverse, was born. Boston Brand's story, meanwhile, lingered in the shadows, joining the list of potentially groundbreaking shows that never found their place on screen.
Though Deadman was never made, its development was not in vain. The show's concept and Kripke's interest in darker themes influenced later Arrowverse series that embraced the supernatural and the morally complex. Series like Constantine, Legends of Tomorrow, and even The Flash took inspiration from Deadman's ghostly elements, suggesting that Boston Brand's story was a prototype for the expansion of DC's more mystical characters in the Arrowverse. Fans continue to wonder what Deadman might have been, with its unique combination of supernatural suspense and emotionally resonant storytelling. It's a testament to how a single character can captivate audiences even without a show to his name. Although Boston Brand remains unseen, his spectral presence lingers in the minds of fans and creatives alike—an unfinished chapter in the history of DC adaptations on television, and a "what if" that continues to haunt the Arrowverse.
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What Might've Been: Arrowverse Edition
Non-FictionExplore the stories behind the shows that almost expanded the Arrowverse. What Might've Been is a revealing non-fiction book series that delves into the untold histories of TV series that were meant to join the iconic CW Arrowverse but never made it...
