Speeding on to the small screen

Grant Gustin says he's a "thin guy" who grew up dancing.

As the superhero takeover continues, Arrow spin-off The Flash debuts tonight.

It follows Grant Gustin (Glee, 90210) as Barry Allen, who, after suffering a laboratory accident, awakens from a coma empowered with super-speed. He first appeared in Arrow last season, buddying up to Oliver (Stephen Amell).

What's been the biggest challenge becoming the Flash?
I thought it was going to be the pressure from fans of being the right Flash, but they've been really accepting. I think it's because of the team - they earned their trust with Arrow, so people trust that this is going to be good.

With the shooting schedule [I'm] trying to maintain being able to train and eat as much as I can. I'm a thin guy, so I'm trying to maintain my body while doing this schedule.

How much did you research the comics and old series?
I started at the beginning. I thought I'd go all the way back and then I was like: "Wait a second, this is impossible. I can't do all that." I worked my way towards "The New 52" [series of DC comics] because that's the closest to what we're doing. But at the same time, what we're doing hasn't been done in the comics. It's a very different Barry Allen. A lot of the characters are very different than they are in the comics, but they have the same heart.

When you pulled on the suit for the first time did you have a moment?
I knew that the suit would be the thing that made this feel right, because it is such an iconic thing. It's cool that it's so different from any suit that's ever existed. Seeing pictures of me in the suit and everybody having merchandise of me in the suit - that's making it feel really cool. It's going to have its place in history, no matter what happens with The Flash going forward. I couldn't be more honoured that I get to be the guy in the suit.

What sort of training do you do?
It's nothing like Stephen. Stephen is out of his mind! I've always been pretty active. I grew up dancing, which makes it easier to pick up fight choreography and brings a fluidity to the movement. I haven't had to make any drastic changes. I go to the gym or else I'd be 20lb [9kg] lighter.