It is certainly not uncommon for actors to take other interests within the realm of filmmaking. The link between acting and directing seems to be especially strong, and Tom Cavanagh from The Flash is no stranger to the allure of running the show. Variety sat down with the actor to discuss his directing method for the first episode back from The Flash‘s one month hiatus.
Since Cavanagh has had experience directing before, the decision to give him an episode didn’t seem difficult leap to make. “Generally, when I am signing a contract for a television series, we have a handshake deal in there about directing,” Cavanagh states. “This is my third show for Greg Berlanti, and they sort of know I like to direct. In the past the stuff that I’ve done seems to have been well-enough received that it allowed me to forge forth.”
But this episode is no ordinary episode of The Flash (if there can even be a run-of-the-mill episode about superheroes). Cavanagh’s episode takes place after a run-in with Abra Kadabra, and Barry decides to run to the future to find important information. Not only will this episode play with time, but it also has the transition of Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) becoming Killer Frost, and going on the run.
When asked if he knew the future aspect before signing on, Cavanagh remarks, “They do a ridiculous amount of episodes of Flash every year. The Flash is one of the most prepared television shows I’ve ever been on, and for the amount of work that comes through the pipeline they are incredibly on top of it. As a director — I’ve been on shows where the director gets the script on the first day of shooting — they will get a script for the entire length of the prep. It gives you a fighting chance.”
He also commented, “In terms of what the actual story is going to be, they’ve got a story arc when they start the season but you don’t really know where your story is going to fall. I feel very fortunate to deal with Barry … dealing with Barry. That’s two versions of Grant Gustin, which is phenomenal. I was grateful to have this storyline.”
The Flash will return from hiatus on Tuesday on the CW.