It was a pleasant suprise for fans of the classic 90s Flash TV show that it's main star, John Wesley Shipp, would be returning for the new Flash show over 20 years later. We have recently learned that he'll be playing Barry Allen's father, who has been wrongly convicted of killing Nora Allen, Barry's mom. ComicBookTherapy have recently posted an exclusive interview with the actor, in which he dishes on getting to work on the show, and praises the new Flash actor Grant Gustin.
On his role in the upcoming series, Shipp said: "They made an offer. They called my agent and said they wanted to talk. When I heard about it, people were saying ‘Jay Garrick! Jay Garrick! Jay Garrick!’ I thought ‘Yeah, I guess a mentor figure.’ I thought that was pretty limited. Then I heard about Geoff Johns reboot where he reimagined the Allen family and the fact that the father is imprisoned, convicted wrongfully, for killing his wife. I thought ‘Wait a minute! That’s the character!’" When asked about working with Gustin, he wont on to say: "He is very real in his work. Very truthful. He’s invested, and sincere is just a good word for him. After having worked with him in the pilot, I know just how good of an actor he really is. How much depth there is. It’s a pilot that has a lot of depth. It has a lot of flash and dazzle, but then there’s emotional depth."
Shipp went on to talk about him passing on the role to a new, younger Flash, saying: "I don’t know what I can say without giving stuff away! All I can say, if people were disappointed that I’m not playing Jay Garrick because they wanted to see the baton passed, they’re going to get that. [...] It’s awfully effective."
For the full interview, be sure to head over to ComicBookTherapy where they talk about Gustin's Flash suit and what sort of role Shipp will play throughout the series. In the mean time, The Flash is gearing up to start shooting in July for a premiere in the Fall, airing Tuesdays on the CW.
After 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. The series stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash, Candice Patton as Iris West, Rick Cosnett as Eddie Thawne, Jesse L Martin as Detective Joe West, Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon, Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow, Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells and John Wesley Shipp as Henry Allen.