Keiynan Lonsdale is tapped to play Barry Allen's sidekick in upcoming season 2 of The CW's series.
- Aug 6, 2015
AceShowbiz - The Flash has found his sidekick. Australian actor Keiynan Lonsdale, who had a role as Uriah in "The Divergent Series: Insurgent", has landed a series regular role as Wally West a.k.a. Kid Flash.
Executive producer Andrew Kreisberg announces the casting in a press release. "Just like when we met Grant (Gustin) for the first time, we instantly knew Keiynan embodied all the heart and courage of a hero," he says. "We are so excited to be bringing this much-beloved character onto the show."
Wally is a speedster like Flash who gains his powers through a similar lab accident as Barry. In the comics, he is the nephew of Iris West (played by Candice Patton on the TV series), the love interest and eventual wife of Barry Allen. It's unclear if the TV version of Wally will have the same connection to the West family like in the comic books.
The original version of the character is red-haired, but Lonsdale's Wally is described as an African-American. DC Comics has introduced an African-American Wally in the "New 52" reboot.
Lonsdale joins other new cast members including Shantel VanSanten who will star as Patty Spivot, a new love interest for Barry Allen, as well as Michael Ironside who will play Lewis Snart, the estranged, abusive father of villains Leonard Snart/Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller) and Lisa Snart/Golden Glider (Peyton List).
"The Flash" returns with its second season on Tuesday, October 6 at 8 P.M. on The CW.
