THE FLASH: Jesse L. Martin Taking A Medical Leave Of Absence From The Hit DC Series
Following rampant fan speculation, The CW has officially announced today that Jesse L. Martin, who plays the fan-favorite Detective Joe West, will be taking a medical leave of absence from The Flash.
Following weeks of speculation, TV Line and Entertainment Weekly have both separately confirmed that Jesse L. Martin, who plays Detective Joe West, will be taking a medical leave of absence from the series within the next few weeks. In their official statement, The CW said, “Jesse Martin is taking a medical leave of absence from The Flash. We wish him a full and speedy recovery and look forward to his return as Detective Joe West.”
According to TV Line's sources, Martin suffered a pretty major back injury over the summer hiatus, limiting his mobility, which explains why almost all of his scenes this season have featured him in a sitting position. It also explains why he's spent the vast majority of his time at home, save for a brief appearance at the precinct last night, and why he hasn't taken a particularly active role in Team Flash's hunt for Cicada (Chris Klein).
Martin's absence will be addressed on the series in the coming weeks, but details on his temporary exit are being kept under wraps for now. A timetable on his return has also not been given, but considering the nature of his injury, it seems that he may end up missing a good chunk of the season, which has eighteen episodes left to air.
"All Doll'd Up" - (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, LV) (HDTV)
BARRY AND IRIS TEAM UP TO STOP A DANGEROUS META NAMED RAG DOLL - Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) lets something slip about the future that devastates Iris (Candice Patton). In an attempt to distract his wife, Barry (Grant Gustin) asks Iris to team up to stop a new meta, Rag Doll (guest star Troy James). Meanwhile, Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) learns something about her father. Phil Chipera directed the episode written by Thomas Pound & Sterling Gates (#505). Original airdate 11/13/2018.
Matching wits with The Thinker, who by season’s end had harnessed the powers of all twelve bus metas he created, stretched Team Flash to their limits, but with the help of some new allies, Barry Allen (aka The Flash) and company were able to put a stop to the Enlightenment and save Central City once again. However, with the arrival of Barry and Iris’ speedster daughter, Nora, who arrived from the future admitting to having made a “big mistake,” things are anything but status quo. Will parenthood be the challenge that finally slows The Flash down?
The Flash features:
Grant Gustin as Barry Allen/The Flash
Candice Patton as Iris West-Allen
Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow/Killer Frost
Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon/Vibe
Tom Cavanagh as Dr. Harrison Wells
Jesse L. Martin as Detective Joe West
John Wesley Shipp as Henry Allen/Jay Garrick
Michelle Harrison as Nora Allen
Keiynan Lonsdale as Wally West/Kid Flash
Violett Beane as Jesse Quick
Danielle Nicolet as Cecille Horton
Hartley Sawyer as Ralph Dibny/Elongated Man
Jessica Parker Kennedy as Nora Allen
Chris Klein as Cicada
The Flash returns with an all-new episode on November 13