Grant Gustin and Keiynan Lonsdale in The Flash (2014)

Actor Keiynan Lonsdale Talks About Exit from Arrowverse

Recommended Videos

When Wally West was cast on The Flash I was excited. Not only do I love the character from his multiple previous incarnations, but as a loyal member of the Iris West defense squad, I wanted to see what a black Wally West would look like. The results were mixed, through no fault of the fantastic actor playing the role, Keiynan Lonsdale.

Lonsdale was charming, totally charismatic, and would have been perfect as Wally if they had either written him as Wally or written him as someone with long-term value to the series. When Wally got put on a bus to Legends of Tomorrow, I’d hoped it was a way for the writers to figure out a way to bring back the character and do him right. However, those hopes were crushed when it was announced that Lonsdale was not coming back to the show.

During Oz Comic-Con in Australia, Lonsdale clarified that the move was his decision, and suggested that not all hope was truly dashed about seeing Wally again.

I’m not coming back full-time, but I’ll still be like in the DC universe, just not like, I won’t be filming ten months of the year every year. It got announced and then I was like, I’ve got to make sure that people know it was my decision so that no one got too angry. I hope that everyone’s not too sad about missing Wally. (via Heroic Hollywood)

Lonsdale’s Wally is also supposed to appear in the Season Five premiere of The Flash, which should give us some insight into where Wally will go and if he does keep coming back in small ways that would be enjoyable as well. Still, I wish we could have gotten Wally West done right. The Wally/Jessie stuff never really worked for me and I’ll always resent The Flash for making Barry hook up with Linda Park.

What do you guys think? Will you be missing Keiynan Lonsdale’s version of Wally West?

(via Heroic Hollywood, image: The CW)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Wally, the Emotional Support Alligator Who May Have Inspired ‘Loki’ Writers, Is Missing
Alligator Loki in Marvel Studios' LOKI, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Read Article We’re on the Edge of Our Seats Waiting for ‘Fire Country’ Season 2 Episode 9
Max Thieriot in Fire Country
Read Article ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Is Coming in Two Tantalizing Batches
The Bridgerton Family (sans Francesca) season 2
Read Article ‘Dark Matter’ Is Your New Spell-Binding Mystery to Solve
joel edgerton standing with jimmi simpson in a room in dark matter
Read Article Choose Your Fighter! It’s the Battle of the Bridgerton Siblings.
Image of several of the Bridgerton siblings on the Netflix series, 'Bridgerton.' Six of them, three of the girls and three of the boys, are standing at a party all looking in the same direction at something.
Related Content
Read Article Wally, the Emotional Support Alligator Who May Have Inspired ‘Loki’ Writers, Is Missing
Alligator Loki in Marvel Studios' LOKI, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Read Article We’re on the Edge of Our Seats Waiting for ‘Fire Country’ Season 2 Episode 9
Max Thieriot in Fire Country
Read Article ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Is Coming in Two Tantalizing Batches
The Bridgerton Family (sans Francesca) season 2
Read Article ‘Dark Matter’ Is Your New Spell-Binding Mystery to Solve
joel edgerton standing with jimmi simpson in a room in dark matter
Read Article Choose Your Fighter! It’s the Battle of the Bridgerton Siblings.
Image of several of the Bridgerton siblings on the Netflix series, 'Bridgerton.' Six of them, three of the girls and three of the boys, are standing at a party all looking in the same direction at something.
Author
Princess Weekes
Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. Still lives in Brooklyn with her over 500 Pokémon that she has Eevee trained into a mighty army. Team Zutara forever.