<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling . You can assist by editing it . (September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling . You can assist by editing it . (September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The Flash is an American television series developed by writer - producers Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg and Geoff Johns, based on the DC Comics character the Flash . The series premiered in the United States on October 7, 2014, on The CW television network . It is a spin - off from Arrow, a show in the same universe . The first season follows police forensic investigator Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), who develops super-speed after he is struck by lightning . In his attempt to learn about his powers and how to use them for good, he is assisted by S.T.A.R. Labs' Dr. Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker), Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes) and Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh). Barry also tries to solve the murder of his mother (Michelle Harrison) by a superhuman attacker (Matt Letscher) when he was eleven . The murder investigation unjustly imprisoned his father (John Wesley Shipp), leaving detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin), father of his best friend, Iris (Candice Patton), to take in the young Barry . The memory of his mother's murder and his father's framing and later killing motivates Barry to put his personal needs aside and use his powers to fight those who would hurt the innocent, shaping him into the Flash . </P> <P> The following is a list of characters who have appeared in the television series . Many are named after (or based on) DC Comics characters . </P>

Who plays the flash in the tv show