Grant Gustin Cast As Barry Allen In Upcoming Flash TV Series

Since the announcement in July that The CW was developing a new Flash television series to spin out of Arrow, the question for many fans was who'd be playing DC Comics scarlet speedster. The answer has arrived, as Warner Bros. has announced that Glee and 90210 actor Grant Gustin has been cast as Barry Allen in the upcoming show.

Gustin will first appear as Barry Allen in episodes 208, 210 and 220 of this season's Arrow, with all three episodes being written by Geoff Johns and Arrow co-creators Andrew Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti. Warner Bros. released a character description:

BARRY ALLEN is a Central City assistant police forensic investigator who arrives in Starling to look into a series of unexplained robberies that may have a connection to a tragedy in his past. A comic book fan boy, Barry is obsessed with the Arrow unaware that working with Oliver and Felicity to solve the crime has brought him right into the dangerous world of the vigilante.

The 23-year-old Gustin has a musical theater background, which led to roles on the third season of Glee as well as a traveling production of West Side Story.

"I’m unbelievably excited. I’ve been a lifelong fan of DC Comics, so I can’t be more honored and can’t wait to get started," Gustin told The Hollywood Reporter.

As previously reported, episode 220 of Arrow will serve as a backdoor pilot for the Flash series. Arrow season two begins on October 9.