The Flash ended its nine-season run with Grant Gustin finally hanging up his suit as Barry Allen/The Flash. As bittersweet as it sounds, the actor was determined to end the show after realizing the story had reached its completion. He also noted the changes happening in his personal life.
The series premiered on The CW in 2014 as part of the Arrowverse franchise. Aside from Gustin, the show also starred Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Rick Cosnett, Tom Cavanagh, Jesse L. Martin, and Keiynan Lonsdale, among many others.
Grant Gustin Unveils The Truth On Why The Flash Wrapped Up With Season 9
Grant Gustin spoke with Entertainment Weekly and revealed why he decided to end The Flash with Season 9 despite fans’ demand to extend it to Season 10. The actor stated:
“Initially when we all signed on, it was a six-year run that got extended to seven. I got married in season 5. I had a kid during season 7. So obviously, you start thinking about life changes at that point.”
The decision was more of a reflection of what Gustin wants to do now that he has his own family. Still, the actor believed nine seasons were enough to fully complete the story. He continued:
“I think it was two weeks into the hiatus between season eight and nine when I made the definitive phone call to everybody that I think I wanted season nine to be the completion of our story.”
The Glee actor was aware of fans clamoring for one more season, but he felt that they had worked on the show for too long. He knew it was time for him to move on and venture into the next phase. He further added:
“A lot of people wanted us to get to 10 seasons, but in my mind, we did 10 years… It felt like we had reached the conclusion. There was a lot of talk about potentially continuing if I were to leave the show… I didn’t know what they were going to do. I just knew it was time for me to step away, have more time with my family after season nine, and just enter this next chapter of my life.”
Gustin admitted he struggled with the idea of leaving for a year or so before the entire team decided to end the show, but once the verdict was made, everyone agreed that it was time to wrap up.
RELATED: James Gunn’s The Flash Did a Major Disservice to Grant Gustin and Arrowverse in a Big Way
Grant Gustin Would Love To Be Associated With The Flash Forever
Grant Gustin acknowledged the fame that came with the character he played for a decade, and he is not bothered if people will forever associate him with The Flash. He shared in the same interview with EW:
“I think regardless of whether I put the suit on again or not – and I love this – I’ll be associated with the character for the rest of my life. No matter what else I do in my career, this will probably be the thing that I’m most recognized for no matter what. Just because of the impact of the character and the suit, and that has nothing to do with me. That’s just the character’s legacy.”
The final episode of The Flash aired last May 24, 2023, wrapping up a decade’s worth of fun-filled adventures with Barry Allen, the fastest man alive.
