Routh was cast as Atom on July 7, 2014, on the CW show of Arrow. Popular website ScreenCrush wrote on a review about his performance in season 3, that the showrunners valued "concept over character", and there was an inability to connect Ray's interactions to the other characters, but when he became the ATOM, it was enjoyable to watch him. Others criticised the romance between him and Emily Bett Rickards' character, Felicity Smoak, claiming that Ray felt out of place and had no clear purpose. In season 1 of the Legends of Tomorrow, some pointed out that he resembled Marvel's Iron Man, but had his own personality, making him likeable. Many have liked Brandon Routh's portrayal of the character, and said that whenever he was on screen, the show improved. His humor and presence on the show was praised, adding "weirdness" to his character that matched the others' characters one. With the announcement of Routh's departure from the show, website ComicBook stated that it would hurt the fictional team, and the show itself.
