John Barrowman: It’s time for a gay superhero on TV

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

John Barrowman has called for an openly gay superhero to get their own TV show.

The actor – who has a role as antihero Malcolm Merlyn in the CW’s superhero drama ‘Arrow’ – called for a gay hero to get a slice of the genre in some form.

When asked by the Advocate whether audiences would be ready for a gay hero, Barrowman said: “Personally, I don’t care if they are, or not. It’s time we had one.”

Arrow previously featured Caity Lotz as bisexual sidekick the Black Canary, but she left the show at the start of the third season.

Spin-off show The Flash also features gay supervillain the Pied Piper, played by bisexual actor Andy Mientus, in a recurring role.

Paul Blackthorne – who played Canary’s father on Arrow – said: “It’s nice that they put that stuff in the show and if that’s helping to sort of ground break in any way then that’s great.

“God bless the bisexuals of this world, I say, and everyone in between and beyond.”

The Flash star Danielle Panabacker added: “I love when they brought Pied Piper along… it’s sad to me that it has to be a brave thing to bring a character like that on television, but I love that we’re doing it.”