Impulse: Fast Forward season 1
| Impulse: Fast Forward | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
 Promotional poster | |
| Showrunner | Noah Hawley |
| Starring |
|
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Disney+ |
| Original release | June 16 – August 11, 2027 |
| Season chronology | |
The first season of the American television series Impulse: Fast Forward is based on DC Comics featuring the character Impulse. Continuing from the events of the series The Flash (2014–2023) by The CW, Fast Forward sees the youngster speedster Bart Allen use his powers to keep Central City safe following his fathers mysterious disappearance. The season is set in its own universe, seperate from the Arrowverse. It was produced by Mob Productions, with Noah Hawley serving as showrunner.
Jordan Fisher reprises his role as Bart Allen / Impulse from The CW's television series, starring alongside Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Timothée Chalamet, Giancarlo Esposito, Zendaya, Dacre Montgomery, Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Thatcher, Tessa Thompson, Jacob Elordi, William Dafoe, Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, and Mark Strong. Development on a new superhero series based on Impulse began in June 2023, only a month after the original series' conclusion. Hawley was announced as showrunner with him also developing the series. Fast Forward was announced in June 2026 with a planned 2027 release date after starting filming only a few months prior in March 2026. Filming for the first season concluded in late August 2026.
The first season premiered on Disney+ on June 16, 2027 and concluded on August 11, 2027. A second season was confirmed in November 2027.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Fast Forward" | Noah Hawley | Noah Hawley & Lauren Schmidt Hissrich | June 16, 2027 | |
| During Barry Allen’s retirement celebration in 2035, Barry, Bart Allen, and Iris West-Allen are ambushed by Girder, who brutally kills Barry and Iris. Enraged, Bart retaliates and kills Girder, only to be stripped of his speed and arrested by the Central City Police Department (CCPD), now led by an alternate version of Cisco Ramon as captain. Facing a prison sentence, Bart is freed at the urging of Max Mercury, who gained Speed Force abilities from Barry in 2023. However, Bart is released without access to his speed, leaving him powerless. Meanwhile, Owen Mercer, a rising CSI and son of the late Captain Boomerang, investigates the crime scene and is shocked when Girder’s body mysteriously vanishes in a strange purple mist. One year later, Bart dedicates himself to protecting Central City through other means, determined to prevent others from suffering the same loss he endured. Max joins forces with Wally West, who vows to honor Barry’s legacy, while Bart remains determined to reclaim his speed and once again become the hero the city needs. | |||||
| 2 | "Powerful Tools" | Rachel Talalay | Eric Kripke | June 16, 2027 | |
| Struggling with his loss of speed, Bart pleads with Cisco for help in restoring his powers, but Cisco refuses, believing Bart’s actions disqualify him from being a hero. Max supports Cisco’s stance, leading Bart to seek out his cousin, Iris “Irey” West, in Star City. Though she agrees with Cisco’s judgment, she acknowledges that Bart had no other choice in the moment and agrees to help him regain his speed. Meanwhile, Max visits a dying Jay Garrick, who has lost his Speed Force connection and is suffering from terminal cancer. Jay warns that restoring Bart’s powers is possible but highly dangerous, with unpredictable consequences for the timeline. With Wally’s help, Bart convinces a reluctant Jay to attempt the risky procedure. Elsewhere, Mercer stumbles upon a mysterious portal emitting green lightning. Before he can report his findings to Cisco, he is pulled into the portal by an unidentified speedster. | |||||
| 3 | "Future Shock" | Hiro Murai | Tom King | June 23, 2027 | |
| After Mercer is pulled into the portal, he comes face to face with Thaddeus Thawne, a speedster who was previously trapped in the Spectre’s Dimension. Thawne explains that when Cisco removed Bart’s powers using the metahuman cure, the destabilization of the Speed Force inadvertently opened a gateway, allowing him to escape. Seeking to gain Cisco’s trust, Thawne claims that he is a hero in his own timeline, and Cisco, believing his story, agrees to work with him, even providing him with a new suit. Meanwhile, a criminal using advanced technology to replicate metahuman abilities, calling himself "Mimic," launches an attack on Central City. Thawne quickly suits up under the new alias "Inertia" and intervenes, successfully neutralizing Mimic’s power-mimicking tech and ensuring his arrest. Elsewhere, Irey, Bart, Wally, and Jay continue investigating a way to undo the effects of the metahuman cure. Bart proposes traveling back in time to prevent Cisco from removing his speed, but Jay strongly opposes the idea, warning of the potential timeline damage. Upon returning to Central City, Bart learns of Thawne’s involvement and is horrified to discover that, in another timeline, Thawne was a mass murderer responsible for a dozen deaths before ultimately being defeated by The Flash. | |||||
| 4 | "Velocity" | Leigh Janiak | Bryan Edward Hill | June 30, 2027 | |
| 5 | "Fractured Time" | Dan Trachtenberg | Saladin Ahmed | July 7, 2027 | |
| 6 | "Rogue’s Run" | Cathy Yan | Brenden Fletcher | July 14, 2027 | |
| 7 | "Speed Force Paradox" | Justin Lin | Christina Hodson | July 21, 2027 | |
| 8 | "The Thawne Identity" | James Gunn | Joshua Williamson | July 28, 2027 | |
| 9 | "Legacy in Motion" | Alex Garland | Greg Weisman | August 4, 2027 | |
| 10 | "End of the Line" | Noah Hawley | Noah Hawley & Eric Kripke | August 11, 2027 | |
Cast and characters
Main
- Jordan Fisher as Bart Allen / Impulse: The son of Barry Allen / Flash, Bart is a speedster who wants to continue to live up to his fathers legacy as a superhero. Finn Wolfhard portrays Bart’s younger self
- Sadie Sink as Iris “Irey” West – Bart’s cousin, a fellow speedster known as Kid Flash. She’s more disciplined than Bart but shares his enthusiasm for heroics.
- Timothée Chalamet as Owen Mercer / Captain Boomerang Jr. – The troubled son of the original Captain Boomerang, Owen struggles between his criminal lineage and the chance to be a hero.
- Giancarlo Esposito as Max Mercury – An enigmatic speedster mentor who helps Bart understand the deeper philosophy of the Speed Force.
- Zendaya as Valerie Perez – A journalist and Bart’s love interest, Valerie is determined, witty, and often finds herself caught between danger and Bart’s antics.
- Dacre Montgomery as Thaddeus Thawne / Inertia – A sinister clone of Bart Allen, created to be his opposite in every way, fueled by rage and a thirst for revenge.
- Mads Mikkelsen as Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash – The infamous time-traveling nemesis of the Flash family, obsessed with reshaping history to his will.
- Sophie Thatcher as XS / Jenni Ognats – Bart’s time-displaced cousin from the 31st century and a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
- Tessa Thompson as Linda Park-West – A respected journalist and the mother of Irey and Jai West, Linda plays a major role in guiding young speedsters.
- Jacob Elordi as Jai West – Irey’s twin brother, gifted with super-strength instead of speed, struggling to find his place among the speedsters.
- William Dafoe as Abra Kadabra – A futuristic sorcerer obsessed with proving that magic can surpass the power of the Speed Force.
- Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash – The legendary Scarlet Speedster and Bart’s father, balancing heroism with family life.
- Candice Patton as Iris West-Allen – A world-renowned journalist, mother of Bart, and the heart of the Flash family.
- Mark Strong as Jay Garrick – The original Flash, a wise veteran hero who guides Bart through the challenges of being a speedster.
Production
Development
In September 2023, early development began on a new Flash series intended to serve as a direct sequel to The Flash (2014–2023), shifting focus from Barry Allen to his successor, Bart Allen. The creative team aimed to continue the legacy of the Arrowverse while introducing a fresh perspective by centering the narrative around Bart. Discussions initially revolved around adapting classic Flash comic book storylines, reimagining them with Bart as the lead character rather than Barry or Wally West. The goal was to showcase Bart’s evolution from an impulsive young hero into a seasoned protector of Central City, reflecting his struggles to live up to his grandfather’s legacy while forging his own path. Writers explored the idea of Bart navigating a world without Barry, facing both new threats and familiar villains reintroduced through a modern lens.
By early 2024, the structure of the series took shape, with the first season planned to consist of 22 episodes—mirroring the standard length of its predecessor in its earlier seasons. The extended format was chosen to allow deeper character development, intricate multi-episode arcs, and a balance of both serialized storytelling and standalone episodes reminiscent of classic Flash runs. Showrunners also aimed to build upon The Flash's established world while gradually introducing new characters and concepts unique to Bart’s journey. In March 2024, the team finalized the season’s overarching storyline, cementing Bart’s rise as Central City’s new speedster and setting the stage for a series that would honor the past while propelling the franchise into a bold new era.
Between March and June 2024, the creative direction of the series underwent a significant overhaul, shifting its approach to more faithfully adapt Impulse comic book storylines with Bart Allen as the lead. Initially, the show had been structured as a continuation of The Flash (2014–2023) while loosely incorporating classic Flash narratives. However, following internal discussions, the writers opted to realign the series more closely with Bart’s comic origins, embracing his unique personality, impulsiveness, and growth as a hero. This rewrite meant that instead of simply filling Barry Allen’s shoes, Bart’s journey would follow his own arc from the comics, integrating elements from Impulse, The Flash, and Young Justice storylines. The shift allowed for a more character-driven experience while still maintaining the core essence of The Flash series.
Despite the series’ restructuring, the connection to the original Flash show remained a priority for the creative team. The new series would directly acknowledge the events of the previous show, including Barry Allen’s legacy, the impact of the Speed Force, and the influence of Team Flash. Several returning characters were planned to appear, ensuring continuity between both series. At the same time, Impulse: Fast Forward was chosen as the official title, reflecting Bart Allen’s journey while differentiating it from the previous Flash show. The title emphasized Bart’s nature as an unpredictable and fast-moving hero while symbolizing his struggle to push forward in the absence of Barry and Iris West-Allen.
Alongside these changes, it was announced that the episode count would be reduced from 22 to 10, prioritizing quality over quantity. The decision aimed to avoid filler episodes and ensure a focused, streamlined narrative. Additionally, Flash showrunner Eric Wallace was removed from the project, with Warner Bros. reportedly unsatisfied with his handling of the later seasons of The Flash (2014–2023). Wallace’s tenure had been widely criticized for inconsistent storytelling and controversial creative decisions, leading to the studio’s decision to bring in a new showrunner. The replacement, whose identity was kept under wraps initially, was said to have a strong understanding of Flash lore and a fresh vision for Bart Allen’s story, ensuring that Impulse: Fast Forward would live up to both fan expectations and the legacy of its predecessor.
Writing
The writing team for Impulse: Fast Forward brought together an impressive roster of experienced screenwriters and comic book writers to craft the show's ten-episode narrative. The writers’ room featured Legion and Fargo creator Noah Hawley, who also served as the showrunner, alongside The Witcher’s Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke, comic book writer Tom King, Titans writer Bryan Edward Hill, Miles Morales: Spider-Man writer Saladin Ahmed, Batgirl co-writer Brenden Fletcher, Birds of Prey and The Flash screenwriter Christina Hodson, The Flash comic writer Joshua Williamson, and Young Justice creator Greg Weisman. This diverse lineup of talent ensured that Impulse: Fast Forward balanced high-quality television storytelling with authentic comic book adaptations, making Bart Allen’s journey feel both fresh and rooted in DC lore.
As showrunner, Hawley provided meticulous direction for each episode’s script, focusing on distinct storytelling beats and character-driven moments while maintaining the fast-paced energy associated with speedster narratives. He emphasized that dialogue needed to be sharp and character-specific, ensuring that Bart’s impulsive personality, humor, and emotional growth were reflected naturally. Action sequences were also handled with precision, as Hawley instructed writers to think about how speedster fights should differentiate from standard superhero battles—favoring creative uses of speed, physics-defying maneuvers, and fast-paced banter between Bart and his allies or enemies. He worked closely with the writers to ensure each episode had a unique voice while fitting into the larger overarching story, with each writer given the freedom to inject their own style into their respective episodes while maintaining narrative consistency.
Each episode was designed to run between 45 to 55 minutes, allowing for substantial character development and action without unnecessary filler. The scripts carefully incorporated CGI-heavy sequences to elevate the show's scope without relying solely on visual spectacle. Hawley and his team ensured that CGI was written into the story organically, meaning that speed-based action scenes were integrated with character-driven stakes rather than being used purely for visual flair. Writers collaborated closely with the visual effects team to create realistic depictions of speed force abilities, time distortions, and large-scale set pieces, ensuring the show maintained cinematic-quality effects. The structured approach to CGI-driven storytelling helped the series balance high-stakes superhero action with grounded emotional moments, reinforcing Bart Allen’s struggles and triumphs throughout the season.
In multiple interviews, Impulse: Fast Forward, Hawley detailed the challenges and creative decisions behind crafting the series, particularly in how to continue The Flash’s legacy without its titular hero while making Bart Allen the central figure. Hawley admitted that the only "plausible" way to tell the story they envisioned was to begin with a tragedy that would not only remove Barry Allen from the equation but also set Bart on a deeply personal journey of redemption. He described the process as "tricky" because they wanted to honor the legacy of Barry and Iris West-Allen while creating a compelling reason for Bart’s evolution from an impulsive sidekick into a hero capable of leading his own story. Ultimately, this led to the decision to open the series with Barry and Iris’s deaths at the hands of Girder during Barry’s retirement celebration in 2035. The emotional weight of this moment, combined with Bart’s rage-fueled act of vengeance—killing Girder—served as the catalyst for the story, forcing Bart to confront the consequences of his actions when an alternate version of Cisco Ramon, now the captain of the Central City Police Department (CCPD), strips him of his speed and has him arrested.
Hawley further elaborated on the reasoning behind this direction, explaining that Bart Allen’s character has always been defined by his impulsive nature, and placing him in a situation where he acts recklessly in grief was essential for his growth. "Taking away Bart’s speed immediately after he crosses the line forces him to reflect on who he is and what it truly means to be a hero," Hawley stated. "It’s easy to be a speedster when everything comes naturally to you, but without his powers, Bart has to redefine what being a hero actually means."
As for comic book influences, Hawley revealed that while Impulse: Fast Forward wasn’t a direct adaptation of any single storyline, it drew inspiration from multiple sources across DC Comics history. He cited The Trial of The Flash as a key thematic influence, though rather than Barry being on trial for murder, it was Bart who faced the legal consequences of his actions. Additionally, Hawley noted that elements from The Return of Barry Allen played a role, particularly in how Bart grapples with living up to the expectations of his lineage without Barry there to guide him. He also referenced Impulse (1995) and The Flash: Rebirth as inspirations, blending Bart’s classic comic book personality with a modernized coming-of-age arc that would be unique to the GWU.
Despite the serious themes, Hawley reassured fans that Impulse: Fast Forward would not be a dark and gritty take on the character. He emphasized that Bart’s journey, while filled with loss and self-discovery, would also embrace the fun, humor, and high-energy storytelling that makes speedsters so beloved. "Bart is different from Barry," Hawley explained. "He's faster, he's funnier, and he’s a wildcard. This is a story about loss, but it’s also about finding yourself, learning from your mistakes, and figuring out what kind of hero you’re really meant to be."
Marketing
Release
The first season premiered on Disney+ on June 16, 2027, with its first two episodes,.