The Flash is officially wrapping its run on the CW, meaning that the Arrowverse that drove so much of the network’s programming is now all but dead.
As reported by The Wrap, executive producer Eric Wallace announced that The Flash’s ninth season would be its last, writing that “Barry Allen has reached the starting gate for his last race.”
“So many amazing people have given their talents, time, and love to bring this wonderful show to life each week,” Wallace said in a statement. “So, as we get ready to honor the show’s incredible legacy with our exciting final chapter, I want to say thank you to our phenomenal cast, writers, producers, and crew over the years who helped make ‘The Flash’ such an unforgettable experience for audiences around the world.”
The Flash is the last of the “OG Arrowverse” shows, most of which wrapped production between 2020 and 2022, and included Arrow, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, and Batwoman. They won praise for their humor, interconnected crossover events, and distinct take on the DC Comics universe amid the struggles of the DCEU.
But with the CW downsizing following its recent sale, and the continued complications of filming amid the pandemic, the writing was on the wall for the Arrowverse. Out of the various shows on the network, only Arrow and Supergirl have been allowed to go out on their own terms so far, with Legends of Tomorrow lingering on an unresolved cliffhanger.
Either way, pour one out for the Arrowverse, which was a joyful if uneven part of superhero television during its run in the 2010s. The Flash Season 9 is set to debut in 2023 and will wrap over the course of its final 13 episodes.
As for the separate DCEU movie starring Ezra Miller, we’ll just have to see.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.