BWW Preview: THE FLASH Rushes onto The CW Tuesday

THE FLASH zooms to the CW on Tuesday on the heels of much buzz. It's one of the most talked about new shows of the fall. Is it worthy of the buzz?

In a word, yes. Trust us, you'll forget that this is actually a spin-off of the CW's other hit superhero show ARROW less than 10 minutes into the pilot, premiering Tuesday at 8 pm. Things in Central City (the setting of the show) are a both brighter and lighter than they are in Starling City (the setting for ARROW).

Grant Gustin (who theatergoers might recognize as Baby John from the 2010 Broadway revival tour of WEST SIDE STORY, and TV fans know him as Sebastian Smythe on GLEE) is charming in the title role as crime scene investigator Barry Allen. Allen is struck by lightning and when he emerges from a coma nine months later he discovers not only did the lightning strike give him abs (seriously, it's a line in the pilot), but also superhuman speed.

Barry isn't the only metahuman to be created in the accident and the course of the first series promises to quickly zip between many a comic book super hero and foe. Comic book fans can expect the appearance of Eddie Thawne (aka Professor Zoom, played by Rick Cosnett), Leonard Snart (aka Captain Cold, played by Wentworth Miller) and Bette Sans Souci (aka Plastique, played by Kelly Frye).

John Wesley Shipp, who previously played the character in a short-lived 1990 TV series, returns in a recurring role as Barry's father. Amanda Pays, who also starred in the 1990 series, will also reprise her role (albeit in a reimagined form) as Dr. Tina McGee. Also of note for Broadway fans will be RENT and LAW & ORDER alum Jesse L. Martin as Detective Joe West, and Tom Cavanagh (Broadway's SHENANDOAH and URINETOWN) will play Dr. Harrison Wells.

The CW must like what they've seen so far. They've already ordered up three additional scripts for the season.

Be sure to come back on Tuesdays when we will be recapping every episode of THE FLASH all season long.