Candice Patton has been a part of The CW’s The Flash for nine seasons playing Iris West, but it could have been much different if she had allowed a small group of toxic fans of the show chase her out after just two. As the series comes to a close, Patton elaborated on the comments she made last year when revealing that racist comments aimed at her early on in the shows run almost made her leave. At the root of the complaints were the ever-present backlash seen against shows and movies that race-swap a character who has been predominantly white in their comic book appearances.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Patton explained how the main reason she has stuck it out with The Flash is simply because she felt it almost her responsibility to keep playing the role because of the section of fans she represented.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAYSCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

“It’s never been easy, and I think it’s still hard. It’s getting easier, we’re talking about it a lot more. But I had to learn a lot through trial and error, and I’m really proud of myself, of what I was able to accomplish, and how I was able to advocate for myself while I was there. I learned so much, and I’m really, really grateful for that. And I’m really grateful with the network and the studio– I feel like we grew together. Black Lives Matter happened in the middle of our show and companies were learning and reevaluating in the moment, and I was really grateful to be working with a network and a studio that was open to hearing my thoughts and changing some things and trying to make it better for the future.”

Related: The Flash Showrunner Believes the Arrowverse Could Still Continue

The Flash Come to an End With Its Ninth Season

The CW

Having lasted longer than many DC shows on The CW, The Flash seems to be one of those series that has been allowed to run its course. Although there are still plenty of people who are sad to see the show go, it is perhaps time for Grant Gustin to put on the brakes as Barry Allen, although it does not mean he is completely done with the role. Hopeful of future appearances, Gustin previously said:

“I can’t wrap my head around it right now, obviously. But if someone called me today or tomorrow and was like, ‘Hey, we have this amazing Flash idea,’ obviously it’s like, I’m gonna take that phone call and listen to that idea. And I think this is a character that I’m going to — no matter if I play it again [or not] — I’ll probably be associated with this character more than anything else in my career, for the rest of my life. So I’ll always listen to any Flash pitch. [I haven’t] received any of those phone calls [but I would] for sure be open [to playing the character again.] I mean, it’s very, very close to my heart. I think it always will be.”

The series final of The Flash airs tonight, May 24, on The CW.