As you likely know, the new TV adaptation of DC Comics Scarlet Speedster is a spin-off from Arrow (which returns for its third season on October 8th). The main character, Barry Allen, appeared in two episodes of Arrow's sophomore season, in a kind of back-door pilot way. But what is The Flash about?...
Basically during a freak weather condition Barry Allen, a Central City assistant police forensic investigator who is haunted by an incident from his childhood that resulted in his mother's murder and his father's (wrongful) imprisonment, is struck by lightning and discovers he can now run really, really fast. He wasn't the only one affected by the Central City weather, it seems lightning struck a fair helping of the cities criminals too.
The actual pilot leaked online, and was also shown in advance at Comic-Con. It was good, really good, especially so for a pilot episode. You don't need to have picked up or read a Flash comic before to get to grips with this show, you don't even need to have been an avid fan of Arrow either. However, if you are a comic book geek then you'll get a huge kick from all the in-jokes and references sprinkled throughout the first episode. The overall tone of the show is very different from Arrow, but it's definitely worth watching.
Casting wise...
Barry Allen aka The Flash
Our main hero is played by ex-Glee Dalton Warblers star, Grant Gustin - don't let that put you off, he's really quite good..
Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) is cast as Detective West. He's an honest, blue collar cop who's seen it all. He took in Barry after his mother's murder and his father's imprisonment.
Iris West is played by Candice Patton, she was in a couple of episodes of Heroes, and more recently, The Game. Iris is the daughter of Detective West.
Royal Pains alum Tom Cavanagh plays Harrison Wells, the mind and money behind Central City’s STAR Labs Particle Accelerator who becomes a pariah following the lab’s explosion.
The Vampire Diaries' Rick Cosnett is Detective Eddie Thawne, a recent transfer to the Central City PD. He has a mysterious past, which may be something to do with his Professor Zoom auto-ego.
STAR Labs bioengineering expert, Caitlin Snow, is played by Danielle Panabaker (Friday 13th and Piranha 3DD!). She's a scientific researcher who gains superpowers of her own and becomes Killer Frost!!!
Carlos Valdes is playing Cisco Ramon. A mechanical engineering genius who becomes Vibe, with the ability to emit powerful sonic shock waves.
Michelle Harrison (The CW’s Emily Owens, MD) plays Barry’s mother, Nora Allen.
John Wesley Shipp, the actor who played Barry Allen/The Flash in the cult classic '90s series, plays Barry Allen's imprisoned father.
There's also going to be more 'heroes' in The Flash than just Barry Allen. As we mentioned above, one of the main characters will become Vibe, and it's also been reported that Firestorm will be joining the series. Interestingly, along with the Flash, all three have been members of the Justice League at some time.
Villain wise. Well it's been reported that Captain Cold, Reverse Flash, Weather Wizard and Heat Wave will all appear in the first few episodes, and with Caitlin Snow becoming Killer Frost, they are not wasting time introducing many of the classic Flash villains. Although it seems likely that Killer Frost will at first walk the path of truth and justice.
Just a few days back The CW revealed that they've added three minutes to the premiere episode. At this time it's unknown if they've filmed some additional scenes that weren't included in the leaked pilot, or it could just be a 'Coming up this season' segment at the end. Either way, we'll be watching, and you should be too.
The Flash debuts October 7th, 8pm on The CWAfter a particle accelerator causes a freak storm, CSI Investigator Barry Allen is struck by lightning and falls into a coma. Months later he awakens with the power of super speed, granting him the ability to move through Central City like an unseen guardian angel. Though initially excited by his newfound powers, Barry is shocked to discover he is not the only “meta-human” who was created in the wake of the accelerator explosion — and not everyone is using their new powers for good. Barry partners with S.T.A.R. Labs and dedicates his life to protect the innocent. For now, only a few close friends and associates know that Barry is literally the fastest man alive, but it won’t be long before the world learns what Barry Allen has become…The Flash.
