‘Flash’s’ Robbie Amell Says Firestorm’s Explosive Coming-Out Is Also ‘Origin Story’

Ronnie Raymond has his explosive coming out party as Firestorm on Tuesday night’s episode of “The Flash.” But Robbie Amell, the actor who portrays the combustible CW character, is less interested in burning things up than in finally flashing a spark of his alter ego’s humanity.

“The cool thing about [Tuesday episode] ‘Nuclear Man’ is we finally get to see a different version of Firestorm,” Amell told TheWrap. “A more human side has a chance come out.”

Ronnie and Dr. Martin Stein (Victor Garber) mind-melded into Firestorm during the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator accident which also turned Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) into the Flash. Now, Central City’s protector and his fiery counterpart are poised to take part in an epic aerial battle.

“There is a great fight scene,” Amell said. It “takes place while we’re flying through the city. I’ve never seen a scene like that on TV.”

In addition to his heated battles and human side, Amell teased Ronnie’s reunion with estranged fiancee Dr. Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker), revealed when Firestorm might return to the series, and divulged which showrunner helped him get a green card.

TheWrap: How did you land on “The Flash”?
Robbie Amell: It was all thanks to [executive producer] Greg Berlanti. He and I had a great time shooting “The Tomorrow People” … he actually signed a letter of recommendation for my green card … He called and said, “We’re bringing this superhero Firestorm onto the show. Is this something you’re interested in?”

Did you know about the character beforehand?
Greg was casting “The Flash” [while we shot “Tomorrow People,”] so he told me about the project, which was very cool. I didn’t know much about Firestorm, but that just meant I got to do some research — to tap into my old roots and become a comic book guy. It was awesome.

Is “Nuclear Man” Firestorm’s big moment to shine?
It’s kind of the origin story, actually. [Before this episode you only saw] Ronnie in the early flashbacks or as this kind of schizophrenic homeless guy with a serious anger problem.

How was sharing a brain with Victor Garber?
Really fun. At one point [Garber’s character] Martin Stein’s mind is the more dominant one, so I had to do a Victor Garber impression. It was an actor’s dream and a nightmare. I had dinner with Victor and said, “By the way, I’m doing you from ‘Alias.’” … He laughed.

Does he deliver a Robbie Amell impression?
Nope, not yet. But we can only hope.

What are the fight sequences like on Tuesday’s episode?
There [are things] I didn’t think would be possible, on paper. Glen Winter, one of the big directors on “Arrow” and “The Flash,” killed it. I’m as excited to see it as all of the Flash and Firestorm fans out there.

How are things between Ronnie and Dr. Snow?
She’s part of the reason they bring him in to try and separate Dr. Martin Stein and Ronnie Raymond. [On the] next episode she’s with Ronnie again — not as Firestorm, but as the normal guy… But you realize even though Ronnie and Martin are separate, they are still connected somehow.

Yes, yes, but it’s almost Valentine’s Day.
Caitlin and Ronnie aren’t on the same page. They are very different people … She’s been fighting and capturing meta-humans for the last year… They’re trying to make it work, but something is off. Something is different.

How do you expect fans to react to this episode and the next one, “Fallout”?
I’ve received nice tweets and fan mail and online stuff from people who grew up with Firestorm and have been waiting to see it in live action … I hope they enjoy it.

Where do you want Ronnie/Firestorm to go from here?
I just want to come back again … The show is fantastic and it’s always fun to go back to a show that you actually watch and are a fan of … Greg and [co-showrunner] Andrew Kreisberg have talked about me returning again later on in the season. From what they’ve told me, the scenes would be a dream come true. They are talking about big stuff for the end of the season.

“The Flash” episode “The Nuclear Man” airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. on The CW. See a trailer for it below: