A major mystery is going to be answered in The Flash season 2, as Mama West has been cast.
Vanessa Williams — no, not the one you’re thinking of — will be playing Iris’ mother and Joe’s wife on The Flash season 2, reports Variety.
Williams, who shouldn’t be confused with the identically-named actress known for Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, has appeared in Candyman, Melrose Place, Soul Food and Chicago Hope, among other credits.
Related: The Flash season 2 premiere synopsis, photos: Flash Day (updated)
Williams joins fellow Candyman alum Todd Jones in season 2 of The Flash. We previously reported that Jones had been cast to voice the season’s Big Bad, Zoom.
Further details about Mama West and her appearance are being kept under wraps, just like her presence through the first season of the series. Her absence has been a mystery to fans, as no mention has yet been made of why she isn’t present. In the DC Comics, she died giving birth to Iris’ younger brother. Notably, no mention has been made of Iris having a brother on The Flash.
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This is not the first news we’ve gotten about the West family in season 2. Wally West, who will be played by Keiynan Lonsdale, will also be appearing in season 2. In the comics, Wally is Iris’ nephew and Barry Allen’s sidekick, Kid Flash. He eventually takes on the mantle of The Flash for himself.
The Flash season 2 premieres Tuesday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET on The CW.