CW Network Announces John Wesley Shipp’s Role In ‘The Flash’ Series Starring Grant Gustin! [Twitter Photo]

The CW Network has announced what role John Wesley Shipp will play in The Flash. With the secret out of the bag, let's find out if the actor will be a friendly ally or a deadly villain in the upcoming TV series.

The Hollywood Reporter reveals Shipp will be playing the father of Barry Allen's (Grant Gustin) in the pilot. The Dawson's Creek actor will first be seen in the premiere and then returns throughout the show's first season.

As many comic books fans, this isn't the first time red speedster had his own TV series. Before he became widely known as Dawson's Dad, Shipp was the original fastest man alive in The Flash, the '90s TV series on CBS. This is a nice nod to the fans who truly appreciated the TV show, which ran for a short-lived first season.

Executive Greg Berlanti confirms Shipp's role on the Arrow spinoff, "Given his history with The Flash, 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." Berlanti continues, "[Shipp] gives a fantastic and emotional performance in the pilot and we are looking forward to his presence in many more episodes."

Shipp also announced his role on his official Twitter:

:)! 'Flash': John Wesley Shipp's Secret Character Revealed https://t.co/mP0SfokwYa

— John Wesley Shipp (@JohnWesleyShipp) May 27, 2014

In the DC Universe, Barry Allen is struck by lightning and thrown into a vat of chemicals in his police lab. There is no mention of Barry's father, Henry, in the comics and is an original creation for television viewers. Does the grieving widower play a significant role in the Reverse Flash's murder of his wife?

Check out this trailer of the '90s version of The Flash:

This will be the first time, two generations of the titular superhero, played by John Wesley Shipp and Grant Gustin, will appear on the same screen together. The Flash will officially air Thursdays at 8pm this fall season on The CW.