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Harrison Wells
Arrowverse characters
Clockwise from top left: A bespectacled man, a man holding a mug, a jovial man, a man wearing a porkpie hat, and a man dressed like an adventurer.
Clockwise from top left: Earth-1 Harrison Wells, Harry, H. R., Sherloque and Nash.
First appearance
Last appearance
Created by
Based onNash Wells:
Portrayed by
Other
Candice Patton (as Iris West)
Grant Gustin (via Barry Allen)

Harrison Wells is the name of several characters portrayed by Tom Cavanagh in The CW's Arrowverse franchise, primarily on the television series The Flash. Wells, created by Geoff Johns, Greg Berlanti, and Andrew Kreisberg, is an original creation for the series and is not based on any existing character appearing in comics published by DC Comics. Most versions of Wells are from parallel universes, known for their high intelligence and scientific knowledge.

The most prominently featured versions of Wells are Earth-1's Harrison Wells (and Eobard Thawne impersonating him); Harry Wells of Earth-2; writer H. R. Wells of Earth-19; detective Sherloque Wells (/ˈʃɜːrloʊk/) of Earth-221; and explorer Nash Wells who temporarily became the series' version of Pariah. Also featured, less prominently, are the Council of Wells and the Council of Harrisons, which consist of various doppelgängers.

Critics and fans have praised Cavanagh's performances as various versions of the character, particularly Harry, although some criticized his performance as H. R. and Sherloque. The Council of Wells and Council of Harrisons received a mixed reception from critics; some praised their humor and Cavanagh's versatility in portraying them while others criticized their skit-like nature.

Concept and creation

[edit]

Executive producers Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, and DC Comics CCO Geoff Johns, created the character of Harrison Wells for The CW series The Flash,[1] although he is first mentioned in the Arrow season 2 episode "Three Ghosts".[2] While a character named "Dr. Wells" had appeared in "Elevator To Nowhere", a 1980 episode of the ABC animated series Super Friends,[3] and another namesake character in Flash TV Special #1, a January 1991 tie-in comic book with the CBS live-action series The Flash (1990),[4] Johns has said that Harrison Wells is an original creation for the CW series.[5] On February 10, 2014, Tom Cavanagh was cast in the role, described as "a rock star in the world of physics and the mind and money behind Central City's S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator."[6] This differed from the comics where Garrison Slate founded S.T.A.R. Labs.[7] Cavanagh described Apple founder Steve Jobs as an inspiration for the character.[8] It was eventually revealed that "Wells" was actually Eobard Thawne; the real Wells made his debut in "Tricksters", in which a flashback reveals that Thawne assumed Wells' identity after murdering him. The producers had not planned this twist from the start, with Kreisberg saying, 'We were talking about, 'well what if Wells wasn't Wells? What if he stole Wells' body?'".[9] Subsequent seasons have Cavanagh portray other versions of Wells.[10][11]

Characterization

[edit]

Cavanagh has differentiated each version of Wells he portrays based on character mannerisms, voice, and origin story.[12]

Harry Wells of Earth-2, introduced in season two, is described as someone who "seems bad but he's good", the opposite of Thawne.[13] Grant Gustin, who portrays Barry Allen, described Harry as a "douchebag". Cavanagh said, though he was not written that way, it was his idea to portray the character as egotistical.[14] He also described Harry as "socially awkward", but ultimately "a good guy at heart".[15] Kriesberg differentiated Harry from Thawne by calling him "a tortured man who's beset with guilt" who loves his daughter. He added, "[Harry is] a jerk, but he's doing everything he's doing because he loves his daughter more than anything in the world."[16] According to Cavanagh, Harry was created to give the series a "daily antagonist".[17][18]

Season three introduces H. R. Wells of Earth-19.[19] Cavanagh described him as "a bit of a con man ... But I didn't want to repeat myself from [season two], so what I thought I would try [this season] is a guy who fills it up with comedy."[13] He said the character was created to bring more "comedic power" to the series in a way that would not undermine its serious narrative.[20] Regarding the relationship between Harry and H. R., he said, "Harry hated [H. R.] because he thought he was an idiot. H. R. thought Harry was the best thing ever."[21] H. R. and the three other versions of Wells seen in the episode "The New Rogues" were created by Cavanagh.[22]

Sherlock Holmes was the inspiration for Sherloque Wells, introduced in season five.[23] Cavanagh described Sherloque as "a very intelligent human being who is maybe not to be trusted",[24] and as being filled with "intrigue and deceit, fun, humor, intensity, and very loud."[11] He called the character a combination of Harry's intelligence and H. R.'s comedic personality.[21] Cavanagh later expanded, saying, "The idea of Sherloque, a master detective, who's really funny because he'll have this pomposity but also he'll actually be good at what he does, tracking down the Reverse-Flash, essentially me tracking down me... fits with the story and it's not indulgent".[25] Sherloque was written as a French man, and a rival of Ralph Dibny because of them being in the same profession.[26][27] Cavanagh created the running gag of Sherloque having to correct others on the pronunciation of his name.[28]

Season six introduces Nash Wells,[29] who Cavanagh described as "a bit of an adventurer, a swashbuckler."[30] He said the character was almost written as an Australian, but the writers "ended up going with something different – but we were very close to making him Australian."[31] Season six showrunner Eric Wallace described Nash as "a man who can kind of get in a fight and hold his own", unlike any previous version of Wells.[29] Nash eventually becomes the series' version of Pariah.[32]

Regarding the creation of the Council of Wells, Cavanagh recalled:

We had a sprinkling of it when they were on their quest for H. R. Wells last year where we had Hells Wells, Mime Wells, and Steampunk Wells, and so that was just a one-off, but that got everybody's juices flowing like, 'If we were to do that, what would that look like with there being a Council of Wells that could convene?' [...] We thought, 'Oh, this is going to be completely obnoxious and shameless when I get a hold of it,' and it is proving to be super obnoxious and ultra-shameless in hopefully the most appealing way.[33]

The Flash season four and five showrunner Todd Helbing described the Council of Wells as being "all about intelligence and being the smartest people in the universe", and the Council of Harrisons as its "emo version".[34] Cavanagh described Herr Wells as someone who thinks "everything that is not German is not good" and Wells 2.0 as a "bad ass from the Outback, who doesn't like anybody".[15] Gandalf, a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth stories, was the model for Wells the Grey, Hugh Hefner was the inspiration for H. Lothario Wells,[35][36] and the Mad Max franchise was the inspiration for Wells 2.0.[37] Cavanagh commented that, despite the one-off and skit-like nature of these versions of Wells, "in my mind, they're real guys. They exist. The situation is comic, but they're not."[17]

Fictional character biographies

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Harrison Wells (Earth-1)

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In season one, Harrison Wells is introduced as the founder and director of S.T.A.R. Labs, located in Central City. After much press coverage in 2013, he activates a particle accelerator that explodes, releasing dark matter energy that transforms various people, including Barry Allen, into metahumans. In 2014, Wells is now a recluse and pariah of Central City while he and his assistants Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow help Barry as the Flash; Wells pushes Barry to run faster to increase abilities as a speedster by taking down metahuman criminals.[38] It is eventually revealed that "Wells" is actually the speedster Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash in disguise.[39]

In 2000, the real Wells of Earth-1 was married to Tess Morgan, whom he met when they worked as research partners in Maryland,[40] and was friends with Tina McGee.[41] A car crash in Starling City that injured Wells and killed Tess was caused by the time-displaced Thawne who then stole his likeness using a futuristic device, killing Wells in the process.[42] In the present, Joe West's investigation into Tess's death eventually leads to Team Flash's discovery of Wells' corpse.[43] In subsequent seasons, Thawne's various identity theft actions make it difficult for doppelgängers of Wells to be in the general public.[44][45][46]

In season seven, Wells is revived in the Earth-Prime timeline because of the Crisis and his doppelgängers' sacrifice caused the universe to need his presence as balance. Wells rematerializes where he was buried 20 years prior as a particle being able to appear anywhere at will.[47] In possession of his doppelgängers' memories and feelings towards their various friends, Wells returns to 2020 Central City to help Barry and Iris West-Allen restore the natural Speed Force and assist with the struggle against Eva McCulloch. He later uses his new temporal manipulation abilities to live through any point in his own lifetime, which he intends to use to put himself in a time loop of his marriage with Tess; his powers lead to him being nicknamed "Timeless Wells" by Cisco.[48] Wells is briefly retrieved from Starling City in 2000 when Barry wants to travel back in time to remove Fuerza, Psych and Deon Owens's connections to the Strength, Sage and Still Forces, in order to create a "time bubble" to protect the timeline. The two, over Team Flash's objections, travel to the proper point in time and are nearly successful before ultimately aborting the plan in that doing this amounts to "murdering" the Forces of Nature. Wells also has a heart-to-heart talk with Cisco before returning to the past.[49]

Wells appears in the series finale, advising Khione of the necessity of ascending as the natural order's protector and attends a party celebrating Nora West-Allen's birth.[50]

Harry Wells

[edit]

Harrison Wells, the founder and director of the S.T.A.R Labs on Earth-2,[51] travels to Earth-1 in season two. Nicknamed "Harry" by Cisco, he tells Team Flash he plans to help them stop Hunter Zolomon / Zoom who has kidnapped his daughter Jesse.[52][53] In reality, Harry is being extorted by Zoom into developing a Speed Force transmitting device to steal Barry's speed in exchange for Jesse's life. Harry finds he ultimately cannot continue with the plan and confesses his collaboration with Zoom to Team Flash.[54] He gains Barry and Cisco's help rescuing Jesse from Earth-2; Harry and Jesse then seek refuge on Earth-1.[55][56] After Zoom's defeat, they return to Earth-2.[57]

In season three, Harry approaches Team Flash, asking their help in dissuading Jesse, now a speedster, from being a superhero, but eventually comes to accept his daughter's intentions.[58] The two return to Earth-2 after helping the team recruit another doppelgänger as Harry's replacement.[59] Some time after, Harry is captured and imprisoned by Gorilla City's denizens and Team Flash rescues him.[60] He later helps Team Flash fight Savitar.[61] Following Savitar's defeat, Harry remains on Earth-1 as a favor when Barry enters the Speed Force in order to stabilize it.[62]

In season four, Harry has returned to Earth-2 for undisclosed reasons, but Cisco mentions him as one of the scientists who assisted in developing a way to retrieve Barry from the Speed Force.[63] Harry returns after an argument with Jesse,[64] and helps the team fight Clifford DeVoe / Thinker.[65][66] He builds a "thinking cap" to augment his intelligence with dark matter to outwit DeVoe,[67] but the device is pushed past its safety limits and his brain is damaged;[68] now the more he uses his intellect, the faster he loses it.[69] Following DeVoe's defeat, with help from the latter's wife, Team Flash tries to restore Harry's intelligence; Harry recovers his normal mental functions, but not his genius-level intellect. Undeterred, he is grateful for the insight into other aspects of his personality, and leaves for Earth-2 after bidding Team Flash a heartfelt farewell.[70]

Earth-2 was destroyed by the Anti-Monitor months before the Crisis began with Harry among those who perished.[71] Following the Crisis in which the multiverse is rebooted, Harry is still presumed dead as Team Flash mistakenly believe the multiverse is gone, though it is learned that his intellect was recovering prior.[72] But it is later revealed that Harry's consciousness remains (along with that of his other doppelgängers) in the mind of doppelgänger Nash Wells.[73]

H. R. Wells

[edit]

Harrison "H. R." Wells of Earth-19 is one of several versions of Harrison Wells in season three who finds the cryptogram sent by Harry through the multiverse and expresses interest in aiding Team Flash. Although Harry objects, Team Flash finalizes H. R. as his replacement.[59] H. R. is later revealed to not be a scientist; he admits that he came to Earth-1 primarily to get material for a novel, and is only the founder and "idea man" for S.T.A.R. Labs on Earth-19. Barry suggests letting the overbearingly good-natured H. R. stay a few weeks, and he proves his worth by helping form plans and locating powered criminals.[74][75] He trains Wally West in the use of the youth's speedster powers and, after discovering how many criminals breached the facility, attempts to transform S.T.A.R. Labs into a museum to maintain Team Flash's cover.[76][77] Gypsy, an enforcer from Earth-19, arrives to retrieve H. R. on charges of interdimensional travel as it is forbidden on Earth-19, but is defeated by Cisco. H. R. is spared but he is warned not to return to Earth-19.[78] In the battle against Savitar, H. R. sacrifices himself by disguising himself as Iris and taking the latter's place to be killed by Savitar. His actions earn him Harry's respect, and his death is avenged when Iris kills Savitar. Iris later eulogizes H. R. as a hero.[62] Season seven revealed the multiverse's recreation resulted in H. R.'s consciousness fused with Nash's mind.[79]

Sherloque Wells

[edit]

Harrison Sherloque Wells, a detective from Earth-221,[80] is hired in season five by Team Flash to investigate the metahuman serial killer Cicada. He is forced to stay on Earth-1 after his initial deductions prove incorrect because this version of Cicada has a different secret identity than the 37 versions of David Hersh that Sherloque has previously identified.[81] After investigating further, he announces Cicada's true identity Orlin Dwyer.[82] He also becomes suspicious of the future version of Nora West-Allen,[81] and secretly investigates which leads him to discover the speedster's allegiance with Thawne.[83][84] Sherloque has married, and subsequently divorced various versions of Renee Adler in the multiverse and eventually starts dating the Earth-1 version.[85] He sends the Earth-1 Renee, who is a metahuman, to his Earth to keep her safe from Cicada II.[86] After Cicada II is defeated, Sherloque returns to his Earth, acknowledging Ralph Dibny as an equal detective and reunites with the Earth-1 Renee.[87] During the Crisis, Sherloque perished,[72] but seasons six and seven revealed the multiverse's rebooting resulted in his consciousness fused with Nash's mind.[88][73]

Nash Wells

[edit]

Harrison Nash Wells, an explorer and self-proclaimed myth-buster from an unidentified Earth, comes to Earth-1 in season six in search of a substance called eternium, which he eventually finds in the sewers of Central City.[46] He later aids Barry and Cisco in a heist in exchange for a crypto-circuit he claims only Cisco can build. After obtaining it, he returns to the sewers and tracks the Monitor's movements.[89] After Team Flash offers to help, Nash reluctantly agrees and tells them he knows how to save Barry from the latter's prophesied death during the impending Crisis.[90] He brings the team to a wall he claims protects a portal the Monitor uses to hide out, expressing his desire to expose the Monitor as a false god.[91] Nash later destroys the wall, and finds a door etched with symbols,[92] before a voice promises him a new life in exchange for bowing down before it. Nash initially refuses, but ultimately agrees after the voice seemingly saves him. Afterwards, a blinding light appears and teleports him inside.[93]

The Crisis revealed that Nash inadvertently freed the Anti-Monitor, tricking him into thinking he helped the Monitor and used him to escape imprisonment. As a result, Nash is the "Pariah" cursed to bear witness as penance while the Anti-Monitor destroys the multiverse.[94] As billions of Earths are wiped out, Nash assists Team Flash in destroying the Anti-Monitor's anti-matter cannon, but the Anti-Monitor succeeds in destroying the multiverse anyway. Nash teleports the Paragons, the seven heroes capable of stopping the Anti-Monitor, to safety at the Vanishing Point before he is killed.[95] After the Paragons and Oliver Queen defeat the Anti-Monitor and reboot the multiverse, Nash is restored on the newly-formed Earth-Prime reality. He initially forgot what happened until J'onn J'onzz restores his memories. Nash learns the Anti-Monitor is still alive and works with Barry, Ray Palmer, and Ryan Choi to develop a bomb capable of shrinking the Anti-Monitor for eternity.[96]

After Cisco takes a leave of absence from Team Flash, Nash joins the group as a substitute.[72] He also starts seeing hallucinations of Harry.[97][98] Allegra Garcia learns she had a doppelgänger who worked for Nash and starts to get wary around him. Nash tries to explain himself, but he hallucinates Sherloque warning him.[88] Nash's body is eventually taken over by Thawne, though he remains alive.[99] Team Flash work to exorcise Thawne, and deduce that Nash is the only surviving version of Wells following the Crisis and was fused with all of his counterparts, explaining his hallucinations. Meanwhile, Thawne is composed of negative tachyons who possessed Nash following the Crisis. While in Nash's head, Team Flash learn that Thawne is using his negative memories against him to finalize the possession, particularly the death of his partner and adoptive daughter Maya (Allegra's doppelgänger) who had died while on an adventure with him on Earth-13. With his friends' help, Nash comes to terms with what happened and accepts that it was his fault, expelling Thawne from his body. However, Team Flash cannot do anything about his other counterparts' consciousnesses.[73] After Nash assists Allegra in fighting Esperanza Garcia, the former starts warming up to him.[100]

In season seven, Nash discovers from his various doppelgängers they can activate Barry's Artificial Speed Force (ASF) generator, but it would result in Nash's death as the multiverse particles in his body from his other doppelgängers being absorbed to act as a power source for the generator. As Nash searches for an alternative, he, Allegra and Chester P. Runk try a new method which results in Barry absorbing his doppelgängers' minds, causing Barry to take on their personalities. Realizing that Barry will eventually be killed by their personalities in his brain, Chester, Allegra, and Nash are able to transfer his counterparts back into Nash, after which Nash sacrifices himself and his doppelgängers, including Harry, H. R. and Sherloque, to power the ASF generator, restoring Barry's speed.[79]

Other variants of Wells

[edit]

Throughout the series, many versions of Wells from across the multiverse have made brief appearances.

  • In season three, several variants of Wells, along with H. R., appear as candidates to replace Harry on Team Flash, such as "Hell's Wells", a cowboy from an unspecified Earth;[101] Wells of Earth-17, a British-accented steampunk scientist;[102] and a French-speaking mime artist from another unspecified Earth.[103]
  • During season four, Harry briefly creates the "Council of Wells", which consists of the smartest versions of himself from across the multiverse: Herr Harrison Wolfgang Wells, a German author and scientist from Earth-12; H. Lothario Wells, a playboy-scientist from Earth-47; and Wells 2.0., a cyborg from Earth-22. Also shown is a wizard named "Wells the Grey" from Earth-13.[65][104] Following Harry's expulsion from the Council because of his declining intelligence, Cisco introduces him to the "Council of Harrisons", based more on empathy than intelligence. Along with Harry, this group includes Lothario Wells (also expelled from the Council of Wells); the Italian Sonny Wells of Earth-24; and H. P. Wells, a French poet from Earth-25.[105][106]
  • Season seven briefly features Harrison Orson Wells, an actor from an unidentified Earth.[79]

During the Crisis, all existing versions of Wells perished,[72] but after the multiverse's rebooting, their consciousnesses were fused into Nash's mind.[73]

Reception

[edit]

Adam Holmes of CinemaBlend ranked Harry sixth on his list of 10 Best TV Characters DC Introduced in 2015.[107] Reviewing Cavanagh's performance as Harry in the episode "The Darkness and the Light", Eric Walters of Paste said, "Having Tom Cavanagh back is wonderful, and he has brought a renewed energy with him. When Harrison 2 referred to Cisco as 'Crisco,' I knew this episode was going to be hot fire."[108] Screen Rant's Jason Berman ranked Cavanagh fifth on his 2016 list of 20 Best Actors in the Arrowverse, saying, "By now, it has become clear that actors on The Flash are tasked with playing various incarnations of their characters. But Tom Cavanagh (who plays Harrison Wells) has had to take that to the extreme. Cavanagh has showed off his acting chops by playing no less than five different versions of his character on The Flash."[109]

In September 2017, Irina Curovic of Comic Book Resources described Cavanagh's portrayal of the versions of Wells introduced to that point as "flawless", noting that, "Harry was the best fit for team Flash. Not only did he contribute to the team, but he also established meaningful relationships with the members of the team."[110] In his review of the season 4 penultimate episode "Think Fast", which shows Harry's declining intelligence because of the effects of the Thinking Cap, IGN's Jesse Schedeen felt that "Cavanagh is doing a fine job of depicting Harry's deteriorating mental state, playing it both for laughs and tragedy as the situation demands."[111]

Reviewing the episode "The New Rogues", which features Cavanagh portraying multiple versions of Wells, Angelica Jade Bastién of Vulture said that the different Wells "let Tom Cavanagh stretch himself even more as an actor."[103] However, she criticized his portrayal of H. R. in the episode "Untouchable", feeling he was an "annoying character" who was "just another symbol of the show's inability to grow", with his only purpose being to "continue the Harrison Wells mythos."[112] Writing for Comic Book Resources, Stephanie Holland also criticized H. R., describing him as a "hipster Wells, who carries around drumsticks, wears a stupid hat and skinny jeans." She felt he was included only to "keep Tom Cavanagh around in a new role." Holland added that while Cavanagh was "fantastic at making every Wells different, HR just didn't fit on the show."[113] Digital Spy's Morgan Jeffrey felt H. R. did not contribute much to Team Flash except for "plenty of enthusiasm", and was "a tad annoying", but wrote that, by sacrificing his life to save Iris, H. R. "eventually proved his worth."[114]

The Council of Wells and the Council of Harrisons received a divided reception among critics; some praised their humor and Cavanagh's versatility in portraying them, while others criticized the skit-like nature of both Councils.[115][116][117][118] In his review of "When Harry Met Harry...", Schedeen felt the Council of Wells was "basically an excuse for Cavanagh to put on funny wigs and ridiculous accents."[119] He had similar feelings for the episode "Harry and the Harrisons" where Harry joined the Council of Harrisons.[120] Scott Von Doviak of The A.V. Club said this Council did not "make a whole lot of sense, even from a comic-book multiverse perspective", and that its members felt like "community theater skit characters."[118]

Mike Cecchini of Den of Geek said he was initially skeptical of Sherloque during the character's introduction in the fifth season, but while reviewing the episode "Godspeed", said he turned into an "absolute delight". He claimed that, despite the character's limited screen time in the episode, he used it "incredibly effectively", appreciating "the way that he doubles down on not telling the team about his Nora suspicions."[121] In contrast, Schedeen said that while Cavanagh was able to differentiate the various versions of Wells through subtle intonation, body language and personality changes, "Sherloque relied far too heavily on a silly French accent. He felt gimmicky in comparison to his predecessors. And while Sherloque definitely had his moments in Season 5 (mainly as he turned his considerable skills of deduction against his own teammates), the character too often felt superfluous."[122]

Other appearances

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References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Harrison Wells

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Harrison Wells is a fictional character in The CW's television franchise, most prominently featured in the series The Flash, where he is portrayed by Canadian actor . Introduced in the first season as the founder and director of S.T.A.R. Labs on Earth-1, Wells serves as a mentor to protagonist Barry Allen/The Flash, guiding him in harnessing his speedster abilities following a explosion that creates metahumans. However, he is later revealed to have been killed years earlier and impersonated by the series' primary antagonist, (the ), who uses Wells' identity to manipulate events and facilitate Barry's growth for his own villainous ends. This twist establishes Wells as a pivotal figure in the show's exploration of identity, travel, and heroism. The character's significance expands across The Flash's nine seasons (2014–2023), with multiple doppelgängers from parallel Earths introduced via the Arrowverse's multiverse concept, each variant offering distinct personalities and contributions to Team Flash—a group of heroes combating superhuman threats. Among the most notable is Harrison "Harry" Wells from Earth-2, a gruff, intelligent physicist and head of that Earth's S.T.A.R. Labs, who joins the team in season 2 to rescue his daughter Jesse from the villain Zoom and evolves into a loyal, if sarcastic, ally despite initial tensions. Another key version, H.R. Wells from Earth-19, appears in season 3 as an eccentric inventor and storyteller who brings levity to the group but ultimately sacrifices himself to save Iris West from the speedster Savitar. Later seasons feature even more diverse iterations, such as the detective-like Sherloque Wells (season 5), the adventurous Wells (seasons 6–7, who becomes a central figure in the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover), and comedic one-offs like the or steampunk variants encountered during Council of Wells assemblies. These counterparts, often convened to pool intellect against cosmic dangers like or the , highlight Wells' archetypal role as a brilliant but flawed whose variants range from arrogant and villainous to heroic and whimsical. Cavanagh's versatile performances across over a dozen versions earned him praise for embodying the character's intellectual depth and emotional range, making Harrison Wells a cornerstone of the series' narrative innovation and ensemble dynamics.

Concept and creation

Development and inspiration

The character of Harrison Wells was created by DC Comics Chief Creative Officer , along with executive producers and , specifically for the CW's The Flash television series as an original figure not derived from existing DC Comics lore. Johns emphasized that Wells represented a brand-new name and concept tailored to the show's narrative needs. The character received his first mention in the during the Arrow season 2 episode "Three Ghosts," where Barry Allen references the upcoming activation of S.T.A.R. Labs' under Wells' leadership, foreshadowing central events in The Flash. From the outset, Wells was conceptualized as a mentor figure to protagonist Barry Allen, guiding his development as the Flash while incorporating elements of mystery and complexity drawn from broader traditions of scientific innovators. Early scripting integrated potential into Wells' design, allowing for narrative flexibility across dimensions, as noted by Berlanti in discussions of expanding the Arrowverse's scope. Core plot ideas centered on time travel mechanics and the catastrophic accident, positioning these as foundational to Wells' backstory and the series' exploration of speed force dynamics. Kreisberg highlighted how this duality—mentor and enigmatic force—added layers to Wells' role in driving Barry's journey. Following the season 1 finale, producers decided to evolve Wells into a recurring element by introducing variants from alternate Earths, primarily to retain actor in a prominent role after his initial character's apparent death. This approach, leveraging the established in season 2, allowed Cavanagh to portray diverse iterations, showcasing his acting range through subtle variations in personality and demeanor. Kreisberg praised Cavanagh's ability to differentiate each version convincingly, turning the concept into a signature feature of the series that highlighted the performer's versatility.

Casting and portrayal

Tom Cavanagh was cast as Harrison Wells for the pilot of The Flash on February 10, 2014, portraying the brilliant physicist and founder of S.T.A.R. Labs who mentors Barry Allen. The role, an original creation for the series, was described as a "rock star" in the world of physics, and Cavanagh's selection brought a seasoned comedic and dramatic presence to the ensemble. To embody the multiverse's various iterations of Wells, Cavanagh meticulously prepared by developing unique accents, mannerisms, and physical traits for each variant, ensuring they felt distinct yet connected. For instance, he adopted a gruff, no-nonsense demeanor and Central City accent for the Earth-2 Harry Wells, contrasting with the enthusiastic, optimistic Midwestern twang and bouncy energy of Earth-19's H.R. Wells. This approach extended to other versions like the confident, Sherlock-inspired Sherloque Wells, allowing Cavanagh to explore a spectrum of personalities from brooding intellectuals to affable leaders. Playing multiple Wells simultaneously presented significant challenges, particularly in group scenes such as the Council of Wells, where Cavanagh relied on voice modulation, subtle physical adjustments, and split-screen techniques to differentiate the characters without relying on extensive prosthetics. In interviews, he highlighted the role's demands, noting the intellectual thrill of layering villainy beneath a heroic facade in the original Earth-1 Wells—revealed as —where every dialogue line served dual purposes, balancing mentorship with manipulation. Cavanagh described this duality as "tremendous" and "delightful," emphasizing how it required constant calibration to maintain the character's enigmatic core. Cavanagh's portrayal evolved notably across seasons, shifting from the season 1 mystery of Wells as Barry's enigmatic guide—riddled with subtle clues to his true identity—to a more integrated role in the ensemble dynamics of later seasons, where variant Wells contributed to team problem-solving and comic relief amid larger Arrowverse crossovers. This progression allowed for deeper exploration of heroism in variants like Harry and H.R., while revisiting villainy through Thawne, keeping the performance fresh over the series' run.

Characterization

Core traits across variants

Across the in The Flash television series, Harrison Wells are consistently depicted as possessing genius-level intellect in fields such as physics and engineering, enabling them to innovate advanced technologies and navigate complex scientific challenges. Most hold positions at S.T.A.R. Labs on their respective Earths, where they direct research initiatives often intersecting with speedster phenomena and multiversal threats. This shared professional archetype draws loose inspiration from DC Comics' cadre of brilliant scientists, emphasizing Wells as embodiments of intellectual prowess. A core relational trait unifying these variants is their role as mentors or paternal figures to Barry Allen and Team Flash, providing guidance through crises with a mix of and strategic insight that fosters team growth. This "smart guy" archetype often positions them as isolated outsiders, detached from social norms due to their obsessive scientific pursuits or the disorienting effects of interdimensional travel. While temperaments vary widely—from the cynical and abrasive demeanor of Harry Wells to the optimistic and affable nature of H.R. Wells—the variants remain anchored by a profound to scientific principles and an anti-heroic ethical framework that prioritizes pragmatic outcomes over conventional morality. Recurring motifs include moral ambiguity, as seen in initial deceptions or questionable decisions, and redemption arcs achieved through sacrificial acts that underscore personal growth. Early iterations, such as the Earth-1 Wells, also feature physical limitations like use, symbolizing amid intellectual dominance. Thematically, Harrison Wells variants serve as symbols of human ingenuity's triumphs and perils, embodying the tension between groundbreaking innovation and the hubris that invites catastrophe in confronting speedster-related dangers. This consistency reinforces their function as narrative catalysts, highlighting the double-edged nature of scientific ambition within the .

Evolution and thematic role

The Harrison Wells character begins as a singular figure in the first season of The Flash, functioning as a mentor to Barry Allen while secretly operating as the antagonist , the , who murders the original Earth-1 Wells and assumes his identity to engineer the explosion that creates metahumans, including the Flash. This dual role establishes Wells as a pivotal architect of Central City's chaos, blending guidance with manipulation to propel Barry's origin story. The season's revelation of Thawne's impersonation marks an initial evolution from enigmatic ally to outright villain, underscoring early narrative tensions around trust and hidden agendas within Team Flash. With the multiverse's expansion in season 2, the character evolves into an ensemble of variants, starting with Harry Wells from Earth-2, a gruff, self-interested physicist who initially clashes with Team Flash but grows into a reliable partner driven by paternal guilt over his daughter Jesse's endangerment by Zoom. Subsequent seasons introduce further iterations, such as the affable H.R. Wells from Earth-19 and the deductive Sherloque Wells from Earth-221, recruited to bolster Team Flash's intellect against threats like the Thinker. These variants form the Council of Wells in season 3, a multiversal assembly of eccentric geniuses—including a cowboy Wells and a robotic one—that delivers technological innovations, strategic insights, and comic relief through their exaggerated quirks and interpersonal banter, lightening the series' high-stakes action while reinforcing team cohesion. Across these arcs, Wells variants provide consistent tech support, from breach containment to meta-human countermeasures, while injecting emotional layers through personal losses, such as H.R.'s sacrificial death to save Iris West from the speedster Savitar. Key narrative events further trace the character's progression, amplifying identity crises and redemptive turns. Following Barry's creation of Flashpoint in season 3, Harry Wells grapples with altered memories and fractured relationships in the revised timeline, highlighting the multiverse's destabilizing effects on personal continuity and forcing him to reaffirm his alliance with Team Flash amid existential doubt. In season 6's storyline, Nash Wells—a skeptical adventurer from an unknown Earth—joins the team to probe the shadowy organization's dark matter experiments, evolving from an outsider myth-buster to a collaborative investigator whose ingenuity aids in exposing meta-human exploitation rings. The Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover consolidates this evolution, as Nash transforms into Pariah after unwittingly unleashing the , bearing immortal witness to multiversal annihilation and channeling collective Wells essences to support the heroes' counteroffensive, culminating in a redemptive sacrifice that restores realities. Post-Crisis, Nash's arc reaches redemption in season 6's "The Exorcism of Nash Wells," where Team Flash enters his psyche to confront Thawne's lingering influence and his guilt over a protégée's death, enabling self-forgiveness and reintegration as a humbled ally. Nash ultimately sacrifices himself in the season 6 finale to power an artificial Speed Force generator. The character's evolution continues in later seasons, with the original Earth-1 Harrison Wells resurrected in season 7's "Timeless" through advanced technology, allowing him to confront the legacy of his stolen identity and contribute to Team Flash's efforts against mirror master variants. Season 7's finale, "All's Wells That Ends Wells," assembles multiple Wells variants—including the original, Harry, and others—to trap a negative Speed Force entity, emphasizing themes of unity and closure among the multiverse's geniuses. In the series finale (season 9, 2023), the original Wells reappears to celebrate Nora West-Allen's birth and provide guidance, symbolizing the enduring impact of his archetype on the Arrowverse's heroic legacy. Thematically, the Wells character's proliferation across the multiverse serves as a lens for examining identity, doppelgangers, and environmental determinism, with each variant—sharing core intellectual brilliance—manifesting distinct moral compasses shaped by their worlds' traumas, from Harry's cynicism born of loss to H.R.'s optimism amid interdimensional travel. This narrative device culminates in Crisis-era consolidation and later resurrections, where figures like the original Wells absorb lessons from infinite parallels, symbolizing the multiverse's profound reconfiguration of selfhood and the interconnected fates of infinite parallels. As a recurring foil to Barry's unwavering heroism, Wells variants probe whether unparalleled genius inherently excuses ethical shortcuts, such as Thawne's timeline meddling or Nash's reckless pursuits, enriching The Flash's exploration of sacrifice, atonement, and the blurred lines between creator and destroyer in a hero's journey.

Fictional character biographies

Original Harrison Wells (Earth-1)

The original Harrison Wells of Earth-1 was a and fiancé to fellow scientist Tess Morgan, with whom he discussed founding a cutting-edge research facility in 2000. However, on April 16, 2000, —stranded in the past after time-traveling from the 25th century to murder Barry Allen's mother Nora—killed Wells and Morgan in a staged car accident to steal Wells' identity. Thawne preserved Wells' body in a secret time vault beneath S.T.A.R. Labs, allowing him to impersonate the scientist seamlessly using a facial reconstruction device. Posing as Wells, Thawne established S.T.A.R. Labs in the early 2000s and spearheaded the development of a intended to revolutionize energy production. To accelerate his return to the future, Thawne deliberately triggered the accelerator's explosion on December 11, 2013, releasing that granted abilities to those exposed, including Barry Allen, whom he later mentored as the Flash while covertly operating as the . This dual role involved guiding Barry's training at S.T.A.R. Labs—often alongside Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow—while sabotaging his progress and eliminating threats to his scheme, such as attempting to kill Cisco after the engineer suspected his true nature. Thawne's impersonation was exposed in early 2015 during a confrontation in season 1's "Out of Time," confirming his identity as Eobard Thawne and his orchestration of Nora Allen's murder. Despite brief alliances against mutual threats like the singularity event, Thawne's time remnants—projections of himself from future timelines—continued using the Wells visage in subsequent battles, including clashes with Barry in seasons 2 and 3. In season 5, a Wells-appearing Thawne, imprisoned in 2049, manipulated Barry's daughter Nora West-Allen to aid Team Flash against Cicada, secretly aiming to destroy Cicada's lightning dagger—the same meta-tech weapon destined to execute him in the future. When Team Flash shattered the dagger in 2019, it erased the execution from the timeline, freeing Thawne and allowing his escape. This foundational deception cemented the Harrison Wells persona as an archetype of unreliable genius within the , prompting Barry to later recruit trustworthy variants from other Earths to replace the archetype's inherent distrust. Like other Wells iterations, the original shared exceptional intellect in and temporal mechanics, though his legacy was wholly supplanted by Thawne's villainy.

Harry Wells (Earth-2)

Harrison "Harry" Wells served as the director of S.T.A.R. Labs on Earth-2, where he founded the organization in 1991 and oversaw the development of a that inadvertently created , leading to widespread chaos on his world. As a widowed , Wells maintained a strained but protective relationship with his daughter, Jesse Wells, whose eventual empowerment as a speedster deepened their bond amid ongoing threats from villains like Zoom. His early experiences with metahuman alerts and conflicts, including tensions with Earth-2's Flash, shaped his pragmatic approach to science and survival. In season 2, Wells traveled to Earth-1 through a breach after Zoom kidnapped his daughter Jesse, seeking Barry Allen's aid to rescue her from Zoom's captivity. He quickly integrated into Team Flash, contributing key inventions such as an improved cold gun to counter speedsters and enhancements to Ramon's vibe-sensing technology through specialized glasses. These developments proved instrumental in their battles against Zoom, culminating in Jesse's rescue and Wells' pivotal role in devising a speed force transmitter. Throughout season 3, he fought alongside the team during the Earth-X Nazi invasion, leveraging his expertise in multiversal threats. In season 4, Wells grappled with the overuse of a Thinking Cap device, which temporarily diminished his and forced a reliance on Team Flash for recovery, ultimately aided by Marlize DeVoe's intervention. Wells' personality was marked by cynicism and a relentless drive, often prioritizing results over interpersonal warmth, yet he gradually softened through his bonds with Team Flash, demonstrating selflessness in multiple sacrifices, such as endangering himself to save in City. Ultimately, he returned to Earth-2 with Jesse after stabilizing their world.

H.R. Wells (Earth-19)

H.R. Wells, from Earth-19—a world characterized by Victorian-era aesthetics and technology—was the historian and director for S.T.A.R. Labs, rather than a . In this capacity, he served as the charismatic face of the organization, promoting its initiatives without engaging in technical research. In season 3 of The Flash, H.R. arrived on Earth-1 after responding to a multiversal distress signal from Team Flash, who sought a replacement for Harrison "Harry" Wells of Earth-2. He brought levity to the team with his optimistic demeanor and humorous anecdotes, contrasting the more serious tones of prior Wells variants. Among his gadgets was a face-altering device he invented, which projected holographic disguises to evade detection. Throughout the season, H.R. contributed to Team Flash's efforts against the villain Savitar, offering emotional encouragement amid high-stakes conflicts. He formed a close friendship with Cisco Ramon, collaborating on interdimensional technology, including improvements to breaching devices that facilitated travel between Earths. Additionally, H.R. developed a romantic relationship with scientist Tracy Brand, whom he initially mentored before confessing his feelings. In the season 3 finale, "Finish Line," H.R. sacrificed himself to save Cisco from Savitar, using his face-altering device to impersonate him and taking a fatal stab wound in his place. This act altered the timeline, preventing Iris West's prophesied death and underscoring H.R.'s theme of non-scientific heroism through selflessness and hope. Following his death on May 23, 2017, H.R.'s memory endured within Team Flash, with members honoring him through tributes such as engravings on equipment and references in discussions, symbolizing his lasting inspirational role.

Sherloque Wells (Earth-221)

Sherloque Wells, from Earth-221, is a multiversal renowned for his exceptional investigative prowess, often traveling between dimensions to solve complex cases. Drawing inspiration from classic literary detectives like , he employs sharp deduction, advanced gadgetry, and a distinctive French accent in his work. Unlike other Wells variants who focus on scientific innovation, Sherloque prioritizes intellectual sleuthing, charging substantial fees for his services while navigating personal complications such as payments to his seven ex-wives. In the fifth season of The Flash, Team Flash summons Sherloque to Earth-1 to identify and apprehend , a serial killer targeting other metahumans. Initially, he misidentifies the culprit, leading to a brief deception for which he seeks payment before committing fully to the team. Once integrated, Sherloque utilizes his skills to uncover critical clues about 's identity and motives, including developing specialized equipment to counter the villain's dampening device. His contributions prove invaluable, as he deduces patterns in 's attacks that elude the team's initial efforts, solidifying his role as a key ally. Throughout his tenure, Sherloque's arcs intertwine professional triumphs with personal growth. He enters a romantic subplot with Caitlin Snow's alter ego, Killer Frost, marked by flirtatious banter and mutual respect that challenges his arrogant demeanor and fosters emotional vulnerability. Tensions arise when his relentless investigation leads him to suspect Nora West-Allen of secretly communicating with the villain Eobard Thawne, prompting a brief betrayal of team trust as he pursues leads independently; this revelation strains relationships but ultimately aids in thwarting Thawne's influence. In season six, Sherloque makes a cameo return to provide insights during probes into the shadowy organization Black Hole, warning of emerging threats before departing again. His personality—brilliant yet smug, accentuated by a signature mustache, pipe, and theatrical flourishes—evolves through these bonds, tempering his self-assured isolation. Following Cicada's defeat in season five, Sherloque bids farewell to Team Flash, returning to Earth-221 to pursue new cases and reunite with a loved one. He makes occasional cameos thereafter, exemplifying the recurring pattern of Wells variants aiding Barry Allen against interdimensional perils. His departure underscores themes of transient alliances in the multiverse, leaving behind a legacy of solved enigmas and interpersonal revelations.

Nash Wells and other Crisis-era variants

Harrison Nash Wells is a geologist and myth-busting adventurer from an unidentified Earth in the pre-Crisis multiverse, introduced in the sixth season of The Flash as a lone explorer skeptical of cosmic legends, particularly those surrounding the Monitor (Mar Novu). He arrives in Central City on Earth-1 via interdimensional travel, initially operating independently while excavating beneath the city in search of the Monitor's supposed hiding place, which he views as a hoax to debunk. Nash's pursuits lead him to ally with Team Flash after Cisco Ramon departs the team, providing scientific expertise and his "techno fanny pack" of gadgets to assist in battles against threats like the Black Hole organization. Throughout season 6, Nash's arc intensifies as he uncovers a hidden chamber in Central City's sewer system containing a powerful energy source tied to the multiversal nexus, which he believes will expose the Monitor's myth. During an assault by Bloodwork (Ramsey Rosso), the Monitor intervenes to save Nash, prompting him to activate the chamber in misguided gratitude—unwittingly freeing the Anti-Monitor and cursing himself to become Pariah, a tormented witness bound to observe the destruction of countless worlds without intervening. As Pariah during the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover, Nash endures apocalyptic visions of Earths perishing, including the deaths of his fellow Wells variants like Harry Wells from Earth-2, whose consciousnesses fuse into Nash's mind as their realities collapse, creating a composite "Harrison Wells" burdened by collective guilt and memories. In the post-Crisis Earth-Prime, Nash emerges as the sole surviving Wells, grappling with the merged psyches of his doppelgängers—manifesting as hallucinations and shifting personalities that cause and a form of . This fusion amplifies his intellect but exacerbates his isolation, as he confronts the pariah's curse and his role in unleashing the . Nash aids Team Flash in season 7 against villains like Godspeed, using his enhanced knowledge from the absorbed Wells to develop strategies and technologies, including contributions to countering speedster threats tied to the Negative Speed Force. Nash's journey culminates in a redemptive in the season 7 premiere, "All's Wells That Ends Wells," where he and the internalized Wells consciousnesses transfer their multiversal particles into an experimental fusion sphere to generate an Artificial Speed Force, restoring Barry Allen's powers at the cost of their existence. This act resolves the Crisis-era variants' arcs, with Nash achieving peace through heroism, though brief mentions and flashbacks reference his legacy in later seasons. Other Crisis-era Wells manifestations, such as the fused "Harrison Wells" pariah form, serve pivotal but transient roles in stabilizing the during the event's , emphasizing themes of collective atonement.

Council of Wells and minor variants

The Council of Wells is an assembly of highly intelligent Harrison Wells counterparts from across the , convened by Harry Wells in season 4 of The Flash to assist Team Flash in identifying the villain known as . The group emphasizes intellectual superiority, often rejecting members deemed insufficiently brilliant, and serves primarily for comedic relief while providing brief technological insights. Key members include Herr Wells from Earth-12, a stern German portrayed as snobbish and authoritative; H. Lothario Wells from Earth-47, a flamboyant inventor; Wells the Grey from Earth-13, a wizard-like figure reminiscent of with a mystical demeanor; and Wells 2.0 from Earth-22, a enhanced for survival in a dystopian world. The council convenes via hologram in the episode "When Harry Met Harry" (season 4, episode 6), but dissolves after failing to produce results, with Harry himself expelled for perceived intellectual decline. Following Harry's expulsion, Cisco Ramon assembles the Council of Harrisons in season 4, episode 21 ("Harry and the Harrisons"), drawing from rejected or alternative Wells variants to restore Harry's confidence and aid against through emotional and creative problem-solving. This kinder, more diverse group includes Sonny Wells from Earth-24, a laid-back surfer-type with an optimistic outlook; H.P. Wells from Earth-25, a poetic French intellectual who employs artistic metaphors; and recycled members like H. Wells, emphasizing over raw intellect. The council briefly contributes a non-linear thinking cap device to enhance Harry's cognition but disbands after the mission, highlighting the temporary, humorous nature of these multiversal alliances. Beyond the councils, several minor Harrison Wells variants appear as one-off holograms or cameos, underscoring the 's eccentricity without sustained storylines. Harrison Orson Wells, a filmmaker parody evoking , emerges in season 5, episode 9 ("The Death of Vibe"), delivering dramatic monologues before rejection. Other fleeting figures include Wells from Earth-17, a Victorian-era inventor with gadgets; Wells, a silent French performer who communicates gesturally; and Hells Wells, a demonic from a hellish realm, first glimpsed in season 3, episode 4 ("The New Rogues"). These variants primarily inject humor and visual flair, often rejected during recruitment attempts, and cease appearances after the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths events that reshape the .

Reception and legacy

Critical analysis

The season 1 portrayal of Harrison Wells, culminating in the twist revealing him as in disguise, received widespread acclaim from critics for its narrative ingenuity and subversion of expectations. Reviewers highlighted how this revelation elevated the series' mythology, transforming Wells from a seemingly benevolent mentor into a manipulative , which added layers of suspense and emotional depth to Barry Allen's journey. praised Wells as a symbol of the show's willingness to "play with expectations and shake up the traditional mythology," contributing to the season's overall 9/10 rating. Similarly, described the finale as a "brilliant conclusion" that delivered a "surprisingly powerful" emotional payoff through the twist's execution. Post-season 3, the introduction of multiple Wells variants—such as Harry, H.R., Sherloque, and —drew criticism for relying on a repetitive formula that diminished the character's original impact. Critics noted that each new iteration often followed a predictable arc: integration into Team Flash as an intellectual ally, provision of exposition, and eventual departure or sacrifice, leading to a sense of narrative stagnation. identified this as one of season 3's major issues, arguing that "the show keeps dragging new versions of actual Harrison Wells into the story for no good reason," which felt contrived and undermined the uniqueness of the initial Thawne reveal. further critiqued the pattern, observing that "we’ve said goodbye to at least a half dozen versions of Wells over the years only to see a new one pop up several episodes later," rendering the variants increasingly interchangeable and less compelling. Tom Cavanagh's performances across the variants were frequently lauded for compensating for script shortcomings, particularly in ensemble scenes like the Council of Wells. His ability to differentiate each Wells—shifting from the menacing intensity of the original to the gruff pragmatism of Harry or the bumbling charm of H.R.—was seen as a highlight that injected vitality into otherwise formulaic episodes. IGN commended Cavanagh's work in season 2's return of Harrison Wells, stating it was "one of the best things about this show in its first season, and the same could easily prove true for season 2." However, thematic analyses pointed to Wells as an overused for exposition and problem-solving, with mixed reception on redemption arcs; Nash's season 6 journey from selfish explorer to sacrificial hero was criticized as underdeveloped and "forgettable," serving more as a vessel for multiversal ties than a fully realized character study. noted Cavanagh's "electric performance" in the original role but lamented later variants' "perfunctory" presence, which prioritized actor versatility over substantive storytelling. Reviews from major outlets underscored these tensions, awarding high marks for Cavanagh's versatility while docking points for specific elements like H.R.'s underdeveloped romance with Tracy Brand. recaps of season 3 episodes portrayed H.R. as "hyper, outgoing, nice," but broader critiques implied the relationship felt rushed and secondary to the variant's sacrificial endpoint, lacking emotional grounding. IGN's assessment of the Council of Wells episodes gave middling scores (6.4/10 and 6.5/10), praising the comedic potential but faulting the repetitive humor as emblematic of broader issues. Overall, the variants were credited with adding levity—particularly in councils that showcased Cavanagh's range—but blamed for diluting focus in later seasons, contributing to pacing slowdowns through redundant subplots up to the 2023 . encapsulated this by describing Wells' evolution as a "long slow decline," where humor often masked a loss of narrative purpose.

Fan responses and impact

Fans have consistently ranked Harry Wells as the most popular variant of the character, topping a 2025 ComicBook.com ranking of all Harrison Wells iterations due to his gruff intelligence and dynamic team interactions. H.R. Wells ranks closely behind for his endearing humor and optimistic personality, often cited as a fan-favorite relief character in discussions. In contrast, Nash Wells has proven divisive among audiences, praised for adding moral complexity in later seasons but criticized for overshadowing earlier variants' depth. Online forums and viewer analyses frequently praise Tom Cavanagh's versatility in portraying the diverse Wells personalities, with many highlighting his ability to shift from menacing to comedic seamlessly across iterations. Some fans, however, expressed frustration by season 6 over the proliferation of variants, arguing it diluted the original mystery and led to repetitive . Episodes centering on Wells, such as the season 1 installment "Who Is Harrison Wells?", garnered high acclaim with an 8.9/10 rating, reflecting strong early enthusiasm. The character's multiverse concept has permeated Arrowverse fandom culture, inspiring memes that juxtapose Wells variants against DCEU counterparts and highlight Cavanagh's iconic role. Cosplay of popular versions like Harry and H.R. has appeared at conventions, contributing to the character's enduring appeal in fan events. Numerous fan fictions explore alternate multiverse scenarios involving Wells, extending his narrative influence beyond the series. Post-2023, following The Flash's conclusion, Wells variants endure in fan rewatches and retrospectives as pivotal to the Arrowverse's lore, with no new on-screen appearances but occasional references in discussions of potential spin-offs. Cavanagh has acknowledged ongoing fan campaigns urging his return in DC projects, underscoring the character's lasting impact.

Appearances in other media

Arrowverse crossovers

Various incarnations of Harrison Wells have appeared in major Arrowverse crossover events, often providing scientific insight and technological support that bridges the multiverse and unites heroes from different series. These roles highlight the characters' utility in large-scale threats, drawing on their expertise from parallel Earths to facilitate team-ups beyond The Flash. In the 2016 "Invasion!" event, H.R. Wells from Earth-19 joined Team Flash in Central City, assisting Barry Allen and the team against the Dominator aliens alongside Oliver Queen from Arrow, the Legends of Tomorrow crew, and Kara Zor-El from Supergirl. His contributions included coordinating defenses and leveraging multiversal knowledge to counter the extraterrestrial invasion. Harry Wells from Earth-2 played a prominent role in the 2017 "" crossover, teaming up with Oliver Queen and Kara Zor-El to combat Nazi invaders from a dystopian alternate reality. He explained Earth-X's history—where the won —to the assembled heroes and collaborated with Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow on a serum to separate the matrix from Martin Stein and Jefferson Jackson. Harry also appeared briefly in the segment, aiding in the multiversal defense efforts. Nash Wells featured centrally in the 2019-2020 "" saga as the Pariah, a cursed figure compelled by the to witness the destruction of countless Earths while guiding the heroes toward salvation. His actions inadvertently unleashed the but culminated in a sacrificial role that helped reboot the , tying into the broader narrative of cosmic rebirth. No Wells variants appeared in crossovers after , coinciding with the conclusion of major crossover events following The Flash's ongoing seasons. These involvements reinforce the Wells archetype as connective tissue in the , enabling multiverse travel and collaborative problem-solving across shows.

Comics and tie-ins

Harrison Wells variants, created for the Arrowverse television series, have made limited appearances in tie-in comics that expand on the live-action narratives. In the 2019 one-shot Crisis on Infinite Earths Giant #1, written by and with art by Tom Derenick and others, Harrison Nash Wells is portrayed as the Pariah, a cursed figure compelled to witness the destruction of multiple Earths during the Anti-Monitor's multiversal assault. Nash arrives on Earth-N52 just as it is annihilated, highlighting his role in unleashing through his pursuit of ancient secrets, aligning with his myth-busting persona from the TV show. This depiction serves as a direct extension of the 's "" crossover event, bridging the on-screen events with comic lore by incorporating elements like the Pariah's tragic duty from the original 1985 Crisis series. Unlike the television portrayals, where Wells variants often emphasize interpersonal dynamics and multiversal travel, the focuses more on Nash's scientific curiosity leading to catastrophic consequences, underscoring themes of in and interdimensional exploration without detailing anti-speedster technologies or seen in episodes. No major comic arcs featuring Wells variants have appeared post-2023, though minor references to multiversal scientists akin to Wells occur in broader crossovers, such as Black Lightning's integration into the during the 2019-2020 crisis events.

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  61. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6493668/characters/nm0146915
  62. https://www.dc.com/comics/crisis-on-infinite-earths-giant-2019/crisis-on-infinite-earths-giant-1
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