Candice Patton – The Flash

Q) What do you think it was about “The Flash” premiere that drew in so many viewers?

A) I think we’re all really proud to be the show that got so many viewers after five years. I think the superhero genre is such a big deal. Being a spinoff of “Arrow” helped. “Arrow” is a very popular show on the network. They kind of gave us a boost. Plus, there was tons of promotion. People had viewed the pilot at Comic Con. So, we kind of knew and hoped that it was going to continue.

Q) What drew you to the role of Iris and how have you made her your own? Has she changed from when you were first introduced to her to the pilot?

A) When you go in for an audition, you don’t get the full script. So, I only had a few pages to understand Iris and what they were going for with the show. Immediately, I understood that she was very charming, positive and happy-go-lucky kind of girl. I knew that she was Barry’s best friend and that she really, really cared about him more than anything. She is very passionate, kind, loving, fun girl. Those were what kind of drew me to her. I knew that if I fell in love with her instantly that viewers would also fall in love with her instantly. So, I got really excited to be a part of it. She has changed only in that I’ve gotten to know her better and with every episode you find out  more and more abou tthe characters. I just designed her to be braver and braver every episode in her emotions and in her life, dealing with the changes in Central City, dealing with her father and dealing with Barry. She is a very brave, strong willed kind of woman and she says how she feels and she says what she wants to say. She does what she wants to do and I think that is really empowering. She is just getting more and more curious every time I read her. It’s fun to play that.

Q) How will Barry’s feelings for Iris manifest throughout the season? Will there be a defining moment for them?

A) I think there are several. Barry has gone through a significant change in his life and during that time Iris’ life has continued on. I think what viewers will see is how their longstanding friendship changes because of it. There are a few defining moments in the season and I love that. I love that there isn’t just one defining moment and that there are a few because that is so true of relationships. It’s never just one thing. Barry and Iris’ relationship is very complicated because they are best friends, but they are also pseudo brother and sister. Then, you throw on top of that the fact that one of them has feelings that they are ready to explore. It’s very complicated.

Q) The chemistry between you and Grant Gustin is palpable. Did that come naturally and instantly or did it take some time to develop?

A) No, that was something that was pretty instantaneous. I feel like a lot of the reasons I got the role was because of the chemistry between Grant and I in the room and it was just something that naturally innately happened. I think it is because Grant and I have a similar sense of humor and so that works on screen and with the dialogue that he has with Barry and that I have as Iris. That’s fun to play and when I’m working with Grant everything just comes really easily and I feel like our scenes just get stronger and stronger.

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments to film so far?

A) I am not going to give anything away, but my favorite scenes that we shoot are the simple scenes with just Grant and I or Grant and Jesse. Just family scenes where real, honest emotions are being explored. Those are really my favorite. I love doing the action stuff and that’s fun too, but I think the heart of the show is really my favorite part.

Q) As you mentioned, in the pilot we see a cameo by Green Arrow. Are there any other “Arrow” crossovers that we will see happen this season?

A) There is a big “Arrow” crossovers where some characters come to Central City and that was a really fun episode to shoot. I know that “Arrow” is also having a crossover where a few people from Central City go to Starling City.

Q) A lot of the male villains for the season have been revealed. What female villains and guest stars can you share will appear?

A) It’s kind of cool because I feel like every villain or metahuman gets announced on Deadline or Variety. So, everybody gets to have their opinion or get excited before the scenes are even shot. There are a lot of villains coming like Heatwave, which Dominic Purcell is going to be playing. He is probably one of my favorite villains and we are shooting that for the next episode. Then, Kelly Frye comes on as Plastique and she is a fellow Texan. She’s from Texas and I’m from Texas. So, it was really nice having her on set. She does an excellent job. There are a lot of really, really great villains to come like Captain Cold, Fire Storm and Plastique and Multiplex. It keeps getting better!

Q) Who is someone you haven’t had many scenes with that you would love to work with more?

A) I have had zero scenes with Tom Cavanagh. That would be something that I really want to do. I can’t wait for Iris to find her way to S.T.A.R. Labs. I never get to work on that set. Iris is still figuring stuff out and has no idea what Barry is doing at S.T.A.R. Labs. So, I can’t wait for the day that she figures it out.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with fans of yours and “The Flash” that way?

A) I feel like I don’t know I would do this necessarily that much with any other show, but when I booked this show I realized very quickly that “The Flash” comes with a huge, very passionate fanbase. I knew if the show got picked up that it would be a great thing to be able to connect with those fans and talk to them about the show. Really, we’re doing this for them. I didn’t grow up with The Flash. This is something that I am learning. A lot of people grew up with The Flash and they love Barry Allen. So, it’s fun to be able to connect with them and talk to them about the scenes they loved and what they want to see more of.

Q) What else would you like to share with fans about what is to come on “The Flash?”

A) I know that a lot of people really want me to have a scene with Felicity [Smoak] and that will happen! So, stay tuned.