Beyond Barry Allen – All of the Arrowverse TV Series Characters Who Appear In the DCU Movie
If you’re a fan of the 2014 The Flash TV series based on DC’s Arrowverse and you’re now aware of or have probably already viewed the 2023 The Flash superhero film, you no doubt noted the similarities and differences in the cast. Well, let’s talk about that.
Barry Allen / The Flash
Ezra Miller (Movie) / Grant Gustin (TV)
DC The Flash Movie 12-Inch Scale Statue
While Ezra Miller did make a guest appearance in one season of the TV series, he steps into the forefront bigtime in the 2023 The Flash movie. You may know him from his recurring role in the Fantastic Beasts film series. In the The Flash TV series, the costumed superhero crime-fighter who can move at superhuman speeds is played by Grant Gustin, an American actor also known for his role in Glee. While some fans protested the selection of Miller over Gustin for the film and the controversy continues to this day, both actors bring their own take to the role and have their own backers. You’ll have to decide for yourself – Ezra Miller or Grant Gustin?
Iris West / Iris West-Allen
Kiersey Clemons (Movie) / Candice Patton (TV)
The Flash Iris West Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure #1340
In the The Flash movie, Iris West is a journalist for Central City Picture News and a love interest of Barry Allen. She’s adeptly portrayed by Kiersey Clemons, who also played Iris in Zack Snyder’s Justice League and you might know from her roles in Dope, Flatliners, and various TV series. In the The Flash TV series, the Iris West character is a bit different, evolving from Barry’s love to becoming his wife. Originally a journalist with the Picture News, she goes on the start her own newspaper called The Central City Citizen. Candice Patton plays Iris West / Iris West-Allen in the series, for which she earned a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2017. She’s also appeared on various TV series, including other Arrowverse shows and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Kara Zor-El / Supergirl
Sasha Calle (Movie) / Melissa Benoist (TV)
DC The Flash Movie Supergirl 7-Inch Scale Action Figure
Two very accomplished actresses bring Supergirl, aka Kara Zor-El, the powerful Kryptonian cousin of Superman, to the screen, one in the 2023 The Flash movie and the other in the TV series of the same name. You know Melissa Benoist from her starring role in the TV series Supergirl and perhaps from her performances in Arrow, Glee, The Longest Ride, Whiplash, and other TV/movie/theater appearances, for which she twice won the Saturn Award for Best Actress on a TV Series. Sasha Calle, the first Latin actress to portray Supergirl, takes on the role in her film debut in the The Flash movie. She previously starred in the soap opera The Young and the Restless, for which she received a nomination for a Daytime Emmy Award. Watch for both these talented ladies in upcoming films and shows!
Henry Allen
Ron Livingston (Movie) / John Wesley Shipp (TV)
Everybody has a father, and that’s true of Barry Allen, The Flash, in both the movie and the TV series. Also, in both media presentations of the Scarlet Speedster, Barry’s dad is wrongfully accused and convicted of his wife’s killing and later murdered. As you might expect, Barry is not pleased, and away we go! Perhaps best known for his performances in Office Space, Band of Brothers, and The Conjuring, Ron Livingston is a skilled thespian who’s appeared in a plethora of movies and TV shows. He’s Henry Allen in the 2023 movie. John Wesley Shipp, also well known for his many film and TV roles (including playing Barry in the 1990 TV series) and twice recipient of a Daytime Emmy Award, was called to duty for the movie. As you can imagine, both actors do a superb job as Henry Allen.
Patty Spivot
Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Movie) / Shantel VanSanten (TV)
Who is Patty Spivot? If you’re a The Flash fan, you know. But just in case, Patty is another love interest of Barry Allen and a member of the metahuman task force at the Central City Police Department. The character made her cinematic debut in the The Flash movie, played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson. She also appears in Season 2 of the TV series, where Shantel VanSanten plays the part of the police officer who wants to become a CSI but joined the force to avenge the murder of her father. Shantel VanSanten is an actress and model whose credits include Something Wicked, For All Mankind, and multiple other TV and movie roles. Irish actress Saoirse-Monica Jackson is equally talented, best known for Derry Girls. But she also has a storied film and TV career you might recall. Regardless, both The Flash performances of Patty Spivot are noteworthy.
Nora Allen
Maribel Verdú (Movie) / Michelle Harrison (TV)
As you probably figured out, Nora Allen is Barry’s mother in the film and TV series. In both instances, she’s murdered and Barry seeks to avenge (if not prevent) that. In the movie, Nora is performed by esteemed actress Maribel Verdú. In the TV series, she’s represented by also renowned Michelle Harrison. Spanish actress María Isabel Verdú Rollán is famed for her performances that earned her two Goya Awards for Best Actress, an Ariel Award for Best Actress, the Gold Medal of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain, and the National Cinematography Award. In addition to The Flash TV series, Michelle Harrison also appeared as Nora Allen in Speed Force and scores of films and TV shows, including Stargate SG-1, The Twilight Zone, The Wonderful World of Disney, Cold Case, and NCIS. What more can we say?
