<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> ← Previous Season 4 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> List of The Flash episodes </Td> </Tr> <P> The fifth season of the American television series The Flash, which is based on the DC Comics character Barry Allen / Flash, is set to debut on The CW on October 9, 2018 and will consist of 22 episodes . The season follows Barry, a crime scene investigator with superhuman speed who fights criminals, including others who have also gained superhuman abilities, as he deals with the consequences of his future daughter's time traveling . It is set in the Arrowverse, sharing continuity with the other television series of the universe, and is a spin - off of Arrow . The season is produced by Berlanti Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and DC Entertainment, with Todd Helbing serving as showrunner . </P> <P> The season was ordered in April 2018, and production began that July . Grant Gustin stars as Barry, with principal cast members Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, and Jesse L. Martin also returning from previous seasons, while Danielle Nicolet, Hartley Sawyer, and Jessica Parker Kennedy were promoted to series regulars from their status as recurring characters in season four . They are joined by Chris Klein, who will portray the season's main antagonist, Cicada . </P>

When does the first episode of season 5 of the flash come out