Two Actresses Testing For Iris West Role In THE FLASH Pilot, Plus Audition Scene Descriptions

With The CW’s Arrow spin-off The Flash beginning production this spring, we have an update on the casting process for Iris West. In the pilot – which will likely premiere next fall if ordered to series – Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) is taken in by Iris’ father, Detective West, after his mother’s murder and father’s imprisonment. Barry has developed strong feelings for Iris, but she is not aware of them. According to ComicBook.com, Veronica Mars actress Tessa Thompson and newcomer Christine Shepard have auditioned for the Iris role. They are apparently just two of the actresses in the running, with a final decision expected next month. Additionally, the site has found an audition tape from another actress, Abby Wake, on YouTube, and transcribed the scenes that were read. One of these scenes includes a mention of Flash villain Trickster. You can watch it and read the scene descriptions below. 

Scene #1

Iris West: Are you ready for the big turn on? Because I agreed to go with you to the atom smashers smashing and in return you agreed I get to pick the next five times we go to the movies. Hope you like Channing Tatum, because you two are going to be very close soon.

Barry Allen: Iris, I don’t know if I’m going to make it. Your dad kind of tore me a new one..

Iris West: But seeing this thing go on is like your dream, your sad, nerdy little dream.

Barry Allen: It could change everything we know about the universe. The accelerator sends beams, particles, and electron storage rings crashing into one another at high speeds.

Iris West: Do we really need to stand next to it when it happens?

Barry Allen: Statistically speaking any danger is almost an impossibility.

Iris West: Aren’t you the one that believes in the impossible? That’s what you were looking for in Starling City, wasn’t it?

Barry Allen: Kind of.

Iris West: Did you find it? Or did you make my dad mad for no reason?

Barry Allen: I found a girl. I mean I met one.

Iris West: A girl! Good for you! When was the last time you went on a date? All you do is hang out with me.

Barry Allen: About that. While I was away I got a chance to think about us. You’re my best friend, Iris.

Iris West: You’re mine to. Why else would I be here?

Barry Allen: That’s not what I meant. What I meant was…

Iris West: I know what you’re going to say, Barry.

Barry Allen: I’m not sure you do.

Iris West: Even though we pretty much grew up in the same house, we’re kind of brother and sister, but we’re not brother and sister, so it could get really weird and awkward talking to me about girls. But I want you to know that it shouldn’t be awkward because there is nothing that I want more than for you to meet the right person that totally loves and adores you for the amazing guy that you are.

Barry Allen: You took the words right out of my mouth. 

Iris West: Aren’t you glad that I know you so well?

Scene #2

Iris West: I’m not thirsty.

Barry Allen: Let it keep your hands warm at least.

Iris West: Thanks.

Barry Allen: You ok?

Iris West: I don’t know what that word means anymore after what I just saw…we saw. How many people?

Barry Allen: Iris…

Iris West: How many?

Barry Allen: Twelve. We’ll catch this Trickster, whoever he is.

Iris West: That’s really fantastic, Barry. You get on that. You catch him. Put him on trial. Put him in jail. Let him wake up every morning and eat breakfast and see the sun. Unlike that little girl he just slaughtered in the street.

Barry Allen: You’re right. It’s not fair. But it’s what makes us not them.

Iris West: There’s something else.

Barry Allen: What?

Iris West: I swear that I saw something…a flicker of light, a gust of wind, something that pulled one of the families out of the way of the debris. It was the way that you described it that night…and what you saw in your house…the way that your mother was killed.

Barry Allen: Iris, I was just a scared kid. I don’t know what I saw.

Iris West: You told me a million times that what you saw was impossible. Today, I saw the impossible to. And for the first time I really believed you.