‘The Flash’ Casts Tom Cavanagh, Original ‘Flash’ Star John Wesley Shipp

The CW is boosting the cast for its Arrow spinoff, The Flash, in the form of Ed alum Tom Cavanagh and original Flash star John Wesley Shipp (Dawson’s Creek).

Actor Tom Cavanagh attends “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” screening on December 11, 2013 in New York City; Photo courtesy Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The Flash stars Grant Gustin (Glee) as Barry Allen/The Flash, a Central City assistant police forensics investigator who, after a freak accident, is struck by lightning and imbued with super speed. Barry was introduced in Arrow’s two-part winter finale.

Details regarding Shipp’s role is being kept under wraps for now. What is known is he’ll appear in the pilot as a mysterious character, and could recur regularly if the series is ordered by the network. Shipp previously played The Flash in CBS’ incarnation in the early 90s.

Tom Cavanagh was cast in the series regular role of Harrison Wells, a “rock star” in the world of physics and the creator and financier of Central City’s S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator. He becomes a pariah after the lab’s explosion, but he charts his path to redemption when he discovers that his failed experiment had the unintended consequence of creating the world’s fastest man.

In addition to Gustin, cast consists of Jesse L. Martin as Detective West; Candice Patton as Barry’s love interest and West’s daughter, Iris; Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow, Rick Cosnett as Detective Eddie Thawne and Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon.

Arrow showrunner Greg Berlanti, along with Arrow exec Andrew Kreisberg and DC’s Geoff Johns will write and executive produce The Flash. David Nutter will helm the pilot in addition to producing. Berlanti Productions exec Melissa Kellner Berman is attached to co-executive produce.