Oliver Queen is 27 years old at the beginning of Arrow Season 1. This age is established upon his dramatic return to Starling City after being presumed dead for five years.
Oliver Queen's Journey to Season 1
To fully understand Oliver's age at the outset of the series, it's crucial to trace the significant events that shaped his life before he became the vigilante:
- 2007: The Queen's Gambit, the luxury yacht Oliver was on with his father, Robert Queen, and Sara Lance, sank. At the time of this devastating incident, Oliver Queen was approximately 22 years old.
- 2007-2012: Following the sinking, Oliver spent five arduous years away from civilization. Much of this time was spent on the remote and perilous island of Lian Yu, where he endured extreme conditions and underwent intense training, transforming him from a spoiled billionaire playboy into a hardened survivor.
- 2012: Oliver Queen is finally rescued and makes his highly anticipated return to Starling City. This pivotal event marks the precise beginning of Arrow Season 1. Having aged five years since the Queen's Gambit disaster, he is now 27 years old.
Timeline of Oliver Queen's Age
The table below summarizes the key chronological points leading up to and including Oliver Queen's age at the commencement of Arrow Season 1:
| Event | Year | Oliver's Approximate Age |
|---|---|---|
| Queen's Gambit Sinks | 2007 | 22 |
| Returns to Starling City | 2012 | 27 |
| Arrow Season 1 Begins | 2012 | 27 |
This detailed timeline confirms that Oliver Queen begins his tenure as The Hood, and later the Green Arrow, in Season 1 as a 27-year-old man, profoundly impacted by the trials and tribulations of his five-year ordeal.
