Tom Cavanagh Joins THE FLASH As Physicist Harrison Wells

Central City finally has its hotshot physicist. Deadline reports that Tom Cavanagh, known from shows like Scrubs and Royal Pains, has joined The Flash pilot as Harrison Wells, a “rock star in the world of physics and the mind and money behind Central City’s S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator.” Wells is described as a “pariah” after the particle accelerator explosion, but begins “charting his redemption” when he discovers that the accident unintentionally created the fastest man alive.

Cavanagh joins Grant Gustin, Jesse L. Martin, Rick Cosnett, Danielle Panabaker, Candice Patton and Carlos Valdes as part of the main cast. The only main role that hasn’t been cast yet is Hartley Rathaway, known in the comics as the super villain Pied Piper. Although Wells isn’t a character from the comics, S.T.A.R. Labs has been a staple in the DC universe for many decades, and it recently appeared in Man of Steel.

I enjoyed Cavanagh’s guest appearances on Scrubs, but I’ve never seen him in a dramatic role, so I’m looking forward to seeing a different side of his acting. Even though I’m sure Wells will be depressed at the beginning of the show because he caused the explosion, I hope Cavanagh will infuse him with a little lightheartedness. If the pilot gets ordered to series (fingers crossed), I suspect there will be a betrayal on Wells’ part in the future when he sells out The Flash/Barry in order to gain something for himself. Sure he might have noble intentions trying to help The Flash, but like they said in the description, his reputation was ruined. I’m guessing he would place his own needs over The Flash’s if forced to.

Then again, maybe I’m completely off base. This pilot hasn’t even started filming yet and we haven’t seen the character, so who knows what could happen. Well, surprise me, Flash writers. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

SOURCE: Deadline