John Wesley Shipp to Play Henry Allen in 'The Flash'

Courtesy THR

Back in February, we teased that John Wesley Shipp was cast in a mystery role in The CW's "The Flash" series and now we know what role he'll be playing. Executive producer of the "Arrow" spin-off, Greg Berlanti, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that Shipp, who played Barry Allen in CBS's 1990s "Flash" series, will be playing the role of The Flash's (Grant Gustin) father, Henry Allen.

Henry Allen will appear in the premiere and will be recurring. Shipp's stint in the 1990-91 series was short-lived but Berlanti commented on the casting that, "Given his history with The Flash, Andrew [Kreisberg], Geoff [Johns] and I could only think of one person we wanted to play Barry's father and that was John Wesley Shipp. He gives a fantastic and emotional performance in the pilot and we are looking forward to his presence in many more episodes."

In addition to Shipp appearing in the premiere, Arrow himself, Stephen Amell, will make a cameo. The new superhero series "centers on Central City assistant police forensic investigator Barry Allen (Gustin) who visits Starling City to look into a series of unexplained robberies that may have a connection to a tragedy in his past. Through a freak accident, he is given the power of super speed that transforms him into the fastest man alive."

The show will air on The CW at 8 p.m. ET, Tuesdays this fall.

Here's that magnificent five-minute extended trailer that debuted two weeks ago...



-Larissa Mrykalo

The CW's 'The Flash' Casts John Wesley Shipp in a Mystery Role

Ready for a Flashback? It has just been announced that John Wesley Shipp, who played Barry Allen/The Flash in the 1990s TV series, has joined the cast of The CW and Warner Bros. Television’s pilot "The Flash."

The press release states that, "Shipp will guest star in the pilot in a mystery role, with the part intended to be a recurring guest star in series." There are no further details at this time

Penned by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, and Geoff Johns and directed by David Nutter, this one-hour drama based upon the DC Comics characters stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen. Allen is a scientist who, thanks to a freak accident, is given the power of super speed that transforms him into the Fastest Man Alive.

The series also stars Candice Patton as Iris West, Rick Cosnett as Detective Eddie Thawne, Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow, Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon, with Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells and Jesse L. Martin as Detective West.

We'll keep you posted on any new developments, including if Shipp's mystery character evolves into a regular.

-Larissa Mrykalo