More than simply spinning out of The CW's 'Arrow,' the network's forthcoming 'Flash' TV series significantly upped its cool factor with the presence of original '90s scarlet speedster John Wesley Shipp. And while producers have even kept mum on the 'Dawson's Creek' star's role through the epic trailer, we now know what role Shipp will have in the newest incarnation of 'The Flash.'

As suggested by his brief appearance in the initial trailer, Shipp will in fact play Barry Allen's father Henry Allen, according to Entertainment Weekly. Initially, the role's secrecy had led many to believe Shipp might play some incarnation of previous comic Flash, Jay Garrick, though it at least seems the actor will take a recurring role through the season, despite being behind bars for the murder of Barry's mother Nora.

Says executive producer Greg Berlanti of the casting:

Given his history with The Flash, [executive producers] Andrew [Kreisberg], Geoff [Johns] and I could only think of one person we wanted to play Barry’s father and that was John Wesley Shipp. He gives a fantastic and emotional performance in the pilot and we are looking forward to his presence in many more episodes.

Greenlit for (at least) 13 episodes, ‘The Flash’ has cast Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells and Candice Batton as Iris West, daughter to Jesse L. Martin’s Detective West, along with Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon, better known as DC character Vibe. ‘The Vampire Diaries‘ star Rick Cosnett will portray Central City Police transfer Detective Eddie Thawne, while Danielle Panabaker plays Caitlin Snow, a highly intelligent bioengineering expert and an early incarnation of DC villain Killer Frost.

We're intrigued to see if The CW's 'Flash' series will incorporate some of the more convoluted science fiction inherent to Henry Allen's predicament, but in the meantime, what say you? Are you any more excited for 'The Flash,' now that we know who the original CBS speedster will play? Watch the trailer again below (along with the original!), and give us your thoughts in the comments!

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