The Flash

After a freak lightning strike, forensic scientist Barry Allen wakes from a nine-month coma to discover he's developed superhuman speed. As he comes to terms with his new abilities, Barry partners with scientists at S.T.A.R. Labs who help him control and refine his powers. He adopts the mantle of The Flash to stop criminals and metahuman threats that endanger Central City, while trying to keep a normal life and protect the people he cares about. The show balances procedural cases with longer story arcs about identity, loss, and the consequences of using speed to change events, without spoiling major twists or finales.

The series premiered in 2014 on The CW, created by Geoff Johns, Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, and is based on the DC Comics character Barry Allen, the Flash. It grew out of the Arrow universe and shares many connecting creative teams and cast members.

Over its run the show picked up fan-voted awards and genre recognitions, and it earned nominations from industry groups for technical achievements like visual effects and stunt work, along with acknowledgments for performances and audience popularity.

The Flash became a central pillar of the Arrowverse crossovers, helping mainstream TV viewers embrace serialized superhero storytelling. Its visual treatment of speed, recurring time-travel set pieces and memorable supporting characters led to a steady stream of merchandise, conventions appearances and fan engagement, making the speedster a widely recognizable figure in contemporary pop culture.

Critical reaction has varied season to season, but the series maintains a solid fan base, reflected in a vote average around 7.8 out of 10. Reviewers and viewers often praise Grant Gustin's approachable lead performance and the show's mix of lighthearted moments with darker stakes. Recurring themes include family bonds, responsibility that comes with power, and the ripple effects of altering time, while the show experiments with different tones and genres across episodes.