While we still don’t know who will play him, TV Line has released a scoop confirming that Hartley Rathaway, the DC Comics villain known as the Pied Piper, is headed to The Flash. The character will make his debut midway through the series’ upcoming freshman season and will have ties to Dr. Wells, who will be played by Tom Cavanagh.
Just like in the comics, Hartley will lose his hearing and join the Rogues, a team of Flash villains that includes already-cast members Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller), Heat Wave (Dominic Purcell), Captain Boomerang (Nick Tarabay), Weather Wizard (Chad Rook) and Plastique (Kelly Frye). The New 52 relaunch has re-imagined the character as a bit of an anti-hero and “reformed vigilante,” so there’s a chance that his loyalties will shift with time.
TV Line describes Hartley as “a onetime mentee of Dr. Wells’ who lost his hearing in an accident and now is out to wreak havoc with an invention of his own.” The Pied Piper lacks superpowers of his own, but is a tech genius who uses his expertise in sonic technology to craft a flute capable of hypnotizing anyone within range of its sound. He obviously draws inspiration for his moniker from the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, and even incorporates rats into his schemes from time to time.
Hartley’s skills in sound manipulation even transcend the need for his magical flute, as he’s able to hypnotize and control people using just about anything that makes sound, from touch-tone phones to blades of grass, which should make him a formidable opponent for the scarlet speedster.
We’ll keep you updated on casting for the part of the Pied Piper, but in the meantime, let us know your thoughts about the character coming to The Flash in the comments section below.
The Flash will premiere on The CW on Tuesday October 7th, 2014.
