What can you tell us about Wally West?
Where we meet Wally and how we’re introduced to him, he’s just a regular guy. He’s not Kid Flash just yet. I don’t know when that’s going to happen. He is also into drag racing, which makes the family dynamic kind of funny when your dad is a detective. It’s pretty cool. He’s fairly protective of himself and what it is that he does. It’s difficult having to be introduced into a new family; really, a family with really strong personalities. Iris is a really strong person and she’s determined and has protected herself. When Wally is maybe getting into trouble, she is very concerned and does what she needs to do to help him out. It’s that kind of thing: Does Wally want to be helped at all by anyone, family or not? That’s where he’s at. He’s got his defenses built up pretty high.
What has life been like for Wally growing up without a father? Is there some resentment there?
I wouldn’t say resentment, but he’s just had his mom. For me, I can relate to that as well. I just grew up with my mom. I met my dad maybe when I was 10. For me, I was obsessed with the idea of meeting my father, so I had huge expectations. I wanted so much for that relationship. With Wally, he’s not 10, he’s old enough to go, “You know what? I’ve been OK. My mom and I have been OK.” It’s going to be cool to see him figure out what he wants, because he’s old enough to make the decision of whether he wants to have a father in his life or not. He hasn’t had Joe there. It’s not a resentment, but it’s not all flowers either.
Where we meet Wally and how we’re introduced to him, he’s just a regular guy. He’s not Kid Flash just yet. I don’t know when that’s going to happen. He is also into drag racing, which makes the family dynamic kind of funny when your dad is a detective. It’s pretty cool. He’s fairly protective of himself and what it is that he does. It’s difficult having to be introduced into a new family; really, a family with really strong personalities. Iris is a really strong person and she’s determined and has protected herself. When Wally is maybe getting into trouble, she is very concerned and does what she needs to do to help him out. It’s that kind of thing: Does Wally want to be helped at all by anyone, family or not? That’s where he’s at. He’s got his defenses built up pretty high.
What has life been like for Wally growing up without a father? Is there some resentment there?
I wouldn’t say resentment, but he’s just had his mom. For me, I can relate to that as well. I just grew up with my mom. I met my dad maybe when I was 10. For me, I was obsessed with the idea of meeting my father, so I had huge expectations. I wanted so much for that relationship. With Wally, he’s not 10, he’s old enough to go, “You know what? I’ve been OK. My mom and I have been OK.” It’s going to be cool to see him figure out what he wants, because he’s old enough to make the decision of whether he wants to have a father in his life or not. He hasn’t had Joe there. It’s not a resentment, but it’s not all flowers either.
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IBT: Since it is going to be a slow burn, would it be safe to say it will be awhile for Wally gets exposed to S.T.A.R. Labs, meta-humans and that side of the show?
Lonsdale: I think [the writers] are going to take their time with that, but you just never know. It is one of those shows where you think things are going to go one way and then one episode could change everything. At this point when we are introduced to him he is just a regular guy and it is more about exploring the family dynamic. My guess is that it will take some time.
IBT: Well, then how are we going to see Wally spending his time when he is not working on connecting with his new family?
Lonsdale: Racing. Drag racing.
Lonsdale: I think [the writers] are going to take their time with that, but you just never know. It is one of those shows where you think things are going to go one way and then one episode could change everything. At this point when we are introduced to him he is just a regular guy and it is more about exploring the family dynamic. My guess is that it will take some time.
IBT: Well, then how are we going to see Wally spending his time when he is not working on connecting with his new family?
Lonsdale: Racing. Drag racing.
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Wally’s arrival is almost certainly going to shake things up for Iris and Joe, so what can you tell us about how his introduction affects the West family?
He’s Joe’s son and Iris’ brother, so that’s a big thing to drop onto any family, and their dynamic is already interesting, because Barry is already a son to Joe. So, bringing another son in, who he hasn’t seen grow up at all, but is his blood, that’s a huge deal and confusing, and a big challenge for everyone. It’s very emotional, and there’s a lot of heavy stuff going forward. For me, I love working with both Jesse and Candice as my family, and especially just feel connected to them both. It makes the scenes a lot stronger to me, and has more of an impact.”
What’s the dynamic between Wally and Barry? The West family connection is what brings him into the fold, but his relationship with Barry informs so much of the character historically.
I will say, it’s not an easy relationship. You might see some sibling rivalry develop, because he’s stepping into a family he doesn’t know, and he has a father and sister he doesn’t know. But they have someone else, where Wally feels he should be, in Barry’s position, because Barry is already in their family and has their love.
He’s Joe’s son and Iris’ brother, so that’s a big thing to drop onto any family, and their dynamic is already interesting, because Barry is already a son to Joe. So, bringing another son in, who he hasn’t seen grow up at all, but is his blood, that’s a huge deal and confusing, and a big challenge for everyone. It’s very emotional, and there’s a lot of heavy stuff going forward. For me, I love working with both Jesse and Candice as my family, and especially just feel connected to them both. It makes the scenes a lot stronger to me, and has more of an impact.”
What’s the dynamic between Wally and Barry? The West family connection is what brings him into the fold, but his relationship with Barry informs so much of the character historically.
I will say, it’s not an easy relationship. You might see some sibling rivalry develop, because he’s stepping into a family he doesn’t know, and he has a father and sister he doesn’t know. But they have someone else, where Wally feels he should be, in Barry’s position, because Barry is already in their family and has their love.
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