The Flash has heard its final starting gun on The CW.
Showrunner Eric Wallace has confirmed that the long-running – and remaining – Arrowverse spinoff will end with its ninth season. This is his official statement:
Nine seasons! Nine years of saving Central City while taking audiences on an emotional journey full of heart, humor, and [spectacle. And] now Barry Allen has reached the starting gate for his last race. So many amazing people have given their talents, time, and love to bring this wonderful show to life each week. So, as we get ready to honor the show’s incredible legacy with our exciting final chapter, I want to say thank you to our phenomenal cast, writers, producers, and crew over the years who helped make The Flash such an unforgettable experience for audiences around the world.
Eric Pulls The Plug On “The Flash” – How Will It End? How Did It Begin?
This announcement contradicts his earlier statements when the final fate of the show was still in question. Months earlier, with regards to where the series stood in light of fellow Arrowverse spinoff DC’s Legends of Tomorrow was cancelled, Wallace had been contemplative.
I don’t want the audience to get caught with a cliffhanger that doesn’t get resolved or anything like [that. I] want to make sure that we complete the journey that Barry, Iris, and Team Flash have been [on. In] between seasons 8 and 9, I’m going to get a bit more of a chance to get a little bit of a breather to think about where do I really want to send these characters off emotionally as people and as human beings? What do I want their final goodbyes to this wonderful, loyal audience to be?
The recent announcement of the final season comes also on the heels of actress Candice Patton, who plays Iris West-Allen, shedding light on the inequity on the set and mistreatment of actors of color on the show. Further, it is mistreatment that she laid at Wallace’s feet as showrunner. However, at this point any link between these allegations and the show’s cancellation is pure speculation.
Grant Gustin, who plays Barry Allen, first appeared in the second season episode of Arrow entitled “The Scientist,” and was meant to debut as the Scarlet Speedster on the series. However, the creative decision was made to reserve that debut for the first of many spinoff series to share the continuity of Oliver Queen’s world.
Premiering in the fall of 2014, The Flash took the CW by storm every Tuesday night – and later Wednesday night – for eight seasons. Its crossover with Arrow that same year was the first time two primetime superhero shows shared a two-night event. The Arrowverse was joined by both Legends and later Supergirl, which jumped from CBS to The CW for its second season.
It was also through the series concepts such as The Multiverse were introduced, and became the centerpiece of the massive 2018 crossover event “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” based on the massive DC Comics event by Marv Wolfman and the late George Perez. It also officially made Black Lightning an official part of the Arrowverse until its cancellation. Arrow had its season finale in the aftermath of “Crisis.” Supergirl ended its run with six seasons in the can in 2021.
The show has had numerous cast changes in recent years, with the departure of Carlos Valdes and Tom Cavanaugh, who were replaced by Brandon T. McKnight and Kayla Compton
Season Eight -shortened to 18 episodes from 23 – concluded with the final defeat of Barry’s longtime nemesis, Eobard Thawne aka The Reverse Flash (Tom Cavanaugh), the possible resurrection of Frost (Danielle Panabaker) went wrong, and the notion that Eobard Thawne’s replacement may be chosen soon by “The Dark Forces.” Fans have long speculated – and hoped – that the final fate of The Fastest Man Alive would book end his original chronicled disappearance in the pilot. With so many changes over the course of the the series, while leaving open the possibility of surprise, what can Wallace and company have in store for Team Flash and the West-Allen family?
Gustin, himself, along with Panabaker took to their Instagram accounts with a response of this announcement.
The series is slated to return for its final season in early 2023.
Official Source – The Flash ending after season 9, final season will be 13 episodes | EW.com
