The Flash is a distinct TV show for plenty of reasons - with King Shark being at least three of them - and perhaps the most intriguing is how often the show's "new" characters are really just alternate versions of people we've already met, as played by the same actors. Season 3 isn't about to change that up, and it should surprise no one that we will once again see Jesse Wells when The Flash returns, but it's not exactly clear what version viewers will get. Here's how actress Violett Beane put it.
I know I'll be back. But I don't know if it's with or without powers. . . . With the whole Flashpoint, anything can happen, right? it's literally open to any different kind of false reality. She could be Earth-1 Jesse, she could be speedster. Who knows?
All signs pointed to Violett Beane coming back in Season 3, since we know Tom Cavanagh is definitely returning, and Jesse has yet to catch up with her comic book counterpart in the speediness department. But, of course, the introduction of all things Flashpoint did put all of our expectations in a blender, so there was at least a small chance that Jesse's return could have been pushed back.
So let's see. The plainest version of the character's return would seemingly just be her Earth-2 persona coming back, but then that's the version that got sprinkled with Barry's super-dust when he disappeared after the second accelerator explosion, so maybe she's the only one who could develop powers. But it might indeed be an Earth-1 Jesse that brings a completely different personality and attitude to the S.T.A.R. Labs squad. Or maybe she's a fast-footed teammate of Earth-3's Jay Garrick, which isn't totally implausible since we'll be seeing John Wesley Shipp return for Season 3, too.
If it was up to Violett Beane, we'd be getting a version of Jesse Wells that takes little time developing heightened abilities. Here's what the actress told TVLine.
When Jesse got hit, I was like 'It's happening! It's happening!' There was the spark when she got out of the coma, but... it didn't happen, and I was like, 'No!' I'm very excited [to play a speedster], and would love for it to happen early next season.
Now, the creative team behind The Flash has been clear in the past that the show would not become one overrun with dash-happy heroes, since the one the show is named for is atop all others. But that doesn't mean we can't get at least ONE more, and possibly two if Wally West also starts showing signs of meta-maturity. They don't have to stick around forever or anything.
We do know of one new-to-everyone character being cast for The Flash Season 3, and he sounds a lot like Barry in that he's really smart and really nice and has some secrets that he doesn't want anyone to find out. Hopefully they'll be as interesting as everyone else's hidden motives, and we'll undoubtedly find out at some point after Season 3 premieres on The CW on Tuesday, October 4.
