Fans of The CW's "Arrow" can look forward to more intense, action-packed drama when the series returns from its winter hiatus on Jan. 21.

In the epic midseaon finale, Oliver learned his sister Thea was behind Sara's mysterious murder. It turns out that Thea was drugged and coaxed into killing Sara by her biological father, Malcom Merlyn, who devised a master plan to seek revenge against Ra's al Ghul. Ghul vowed to avenge Sara's death, but Oliver took the wrap for Thea in order to protect her and faced off with Ra's in the eastern mountains without help from Team Arrow.

During their shirtless fight, Ghul got the upper hand on Oliver (Arrow) and plunged his sword deep into his chest. Then he pushed him off the edge of the mountain, apparently sending him to his death.

In the next episode, "Left Behind," Team Arrow will get devastating news that Oliver is dead. Preview photos reveal that Diggle and Roy will step up to fight crime in Starling City in Oliver's absence, reports Comic Book.

While speaking at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, Stephen Amell, who plays Oliver, revealed he was aware of Oliver's battle with Ra's and the seemingly fatal outcome at the beginning of Season 3.

"I personally love when there's adversity for the protagonist and when we give other characters on the show the opportunity to acquit themselves and to come more into leading roles," he said at a panel discussion, according to Channel Guide Magazine. "If we don't give other characters the opportunity to shoulder the load, then we give nothing for the viewers to attach themselves to. ... I'm excited for everyone's opportunity."

When asked what it would have taken for Oliver to survive, Amell said, "We just saw him fall. We've seen Oliver survive, so whether he went straight off the cliff, whether something broke his fall, whether he hit the ground, whether there's -- we have mystical herbs on the show that have healing powers. We've seen the Lazarus Pit, although that's not something that's going to be used for Oliver. I hope he survives. I like playing him."

The "Arrow" star also confirmed that Felicity is the only woman that Oliver has interest in at the moment.

"Both Laurel and Sarah were elements of his past. Obviously Sara and Oliver tried to rekindle things but both of those relationships rely heavily on the type of person he was before he left, as he has become more accepting, less introverted, less damaged by what happened to him the five years that he was away. The guiding principle in that transformation was Felicity. ... Before this season, when I said there's one woman in Oliver's life this year and that is Felicity. I don't see that changing," he said.

In addition, Amell opened up about Laurel's journey into becoming the Black Canary, which will take place in the upcoming episode.

"You can't just all of a sudden overnight become a superhero, you have to go through this journey. And Season 2, for Laurel, she definitely hit rock bottom, and was able to come back on top. Now in Season 3, after losing her sister ... she goes from avenging her sister, to honoring her sister, to becoming her sister. And it's been amazing."

During an interview with TVLine, executive producer Marc Guggenheim teased that the first three episodes of 2015 "are among the best we've ever done. They're incredibly compelling."

The presumption that Oliver is dead "makes it necessary" for Laurel to finally suit up as the Black Canary. It will also give other characters the opportunity to share more screen time together.

"There's a lot of Thea and Felicity. ... [Felicity will] have some pretty big moments with Laurel as well," said Guggenheim.

In the meantime, David Ramsey (John Diggle) shared his character will get "emotional" in the first hour back, signaling that the H.I.V.E. storyline will be revisited.

Executive producer Andrew Kreisberg confirmed that they are "definitely going to bring back the Suicide Squad" in Season 3.

Although Oliver proclaimed his love to Felicity prior to his battle with Ra's, new spoilers reveal Felicity will finally open up about her feelings toward Oliver when the show returns.

"She speaks up!" Kreisberg told TVLine. "She definitely speaks up, but not quite in the way I think people are expecting. She has a lot of strong feelings.

"This season is really about them saying all the things they've never said after two years of teasing each other," Kreisberg added. "Where that takes them is to some tough places but also to some right places. The how and the why and the when and the where of that is the fun in the back half of the season."

Preview photos from the upcoming episode also tease Ray Palmer will suit up as The Atom with Felicity's help.

Ray "is on a slightly different track" with his hero crusade "than the other members of Team Arrow," said Guggenheim, according to TVLine.

The official synopsis for "Arrow" reads as follows:

"In the aftermath of Oliver's (Stephen Amell) fight with Ra's al Ghul (Matt Nable), Diggle (David Ramsey) and Arsenal (Colton Haynes) continue to protect the city in the Arrow's absence. However, after three days without hearing from Oliver, they begin to fear the worst may have happened to their friend. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) refuses to believe that Oliver could be dead until Merlyn (John Barrowman) pays the team a surprise visit. Thea (Willa Holland) suspects there is something more behind Oliver's disappearance and asks Merlyn for a favor. Meanwhile, Ray (Brandon Routh) tests a part of his new suit and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) takes up the mantle of the Black Canary."

"Arrow" Season 3, Episode 10, "Left Behind," airs on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

Watch a preview video below.