If you watch CW -- and I don't blame you if you don't -- you know that the network has a reputation for a lot of shows starring pretty white people. It's just a fact. That's why it's interesting to note some rumors about the upcoming pilot for The Flash, which could potentially feature one of the most multicultural casts on TV.
Will 'The Flash' Be The Most Multicultural Cast Ever?
The Flash, based on the comic book superhero and spun off from CW's hit show Arrow, follows the adventures of the DC Comics' scarlet speedster. The superhero's civilian identity, Barry Allen, was introduced earlier this season on two episodes of Arrow, before going on to get his own series set for fall 2014.
The Flash is a white dude, and he was going to played by a white dude. That was a given. But rumored casting breakdowns for the pilot's periphery characters indicate that there's a little more color in Central City, where The Flash gets his superheroing on. Potential roles include Linda Park, a television reporter (and a fairly significant figure in The Flash mythos), and David Singh, Barry Allen's CSI boss.
The first note of change came when casting breakdowns for Allen's love interest Iris West, and her father Detective West leaked on the Internet. In the comics, both characters are as white as driven snow, but on the casting breakdowns they were listed as African-American. "Ghostbusters" star Ernie Hudson even talked about going in for the role on a podcast, which seemed to confirm that bit of news.Granted, these are all rumors. I wouldn't get your hopes up too high. By the time they get around casting and shooting this pilot, the whole thing could be business as usual. Just putting it out there to keep an eye on.
Then on December 26 a rumor started going around that fellow DC Comics superhero Cisco Ramon, a.k.a. Vibe would be joining the show in a potentially recurring/sidekick role. If you couldn't guess from the name, Vibe is Latino.
Add in a two more that could potentially be in the cast:
» Linda Park, an Asian-American reporter featured briefly on "Arrow" who in the comics went on to marry Allen's successor Wally West.
» David Singh, Allen's Indian American boss, who was name-checked on "Arrow" and would surely play some part in the pilot.