The Flash season 4: The case for a Danielle Panabaker – Killer Frost spin-off

Yesterday, we published a story all about Manu Bennett’s character of Slade Wilson and how we would all benefit from an Arrow spin-off focused on him … but he’s far from the only character within this universe worthy of one. Something that we’ve long advocated for (when it comes to this world) is small, anthology-like spin-offs that could air in some various forms, whether it be a CW Seed animated series, a summer show to keep you excited for the fall, or a short six-episode series to get you through a hiatus.

If we could greenlight a show right now and magically get it on the air in time for the end of the summer, it would easily be a Killer Frost show starring Danielle Panabaker. Think along the lines of six or so episodes to bridge the gap between where she is now, and where she will eventually be on The Flash when Barry Allen and company find her.

The story – The journey of Caitlin Snow to find herself as something other than the woman she was, or the villain she became as Killer Frost. Maybe there’s a way to use her powers without giving into the dark side and watching that internal struggle? During the course of the third season, her biggest problem was that the effects her powers had on her were immediate, and they were so strong that mentally that they were exceptionally hard for her to control. She needed some sort of period to better understand them, but with Savitar running amok there was never an opportunity for STAR Labs to devote their full focus to her. Julian was her biggest advocate, but he’d never had any experience with anything quite like this.

With Savitar now gone, Caitlin can start taking care of herself, and this could be a personal journey that sets the stage for who she is in season 4. With this additional time to process things, she could become an antihero, or maybe a journey of how she goes from bad to okay and then to bad again? There aren’t many superhero shows out there that are about the descent into darkness, and that is interesting in its own way if the show wants to touch on that.

The structure – Given that Panabaker is a regular on The Flash, the story would have to be short. If you can afford keeping her off The Flash for a few episodes, doing a live-action limited series would work effectively. If there is no time in the schedule (or story), then this is where an animated show could play out effectively. Start with the events of the season 3 finale, and end wherever you want her story to pick up during season 4. It’s not something that has to be ongoing.

Could it actually happen? – It’s unlikely given that The CW hasn’t really done anything like this other than the Vixen / Constantine CW Seed animated series, but Killer Frost no doubt is a popular enough character. It’s also clear with the Suicide Squad and the Harley Quinn comics that there is an obvious interest in stories about characters who don’t actually fight for what’s good in the world. Consider this an idea that a network executive should have pinned on a storyboard; maybe it will turn into something more, and if nothing else, it should be examined.

Would you be interested in seeing a Danielle Panabaker – Killer Frost series? Share in either the comments or the poll below! (Remember to click to view the non-AMP version at the bottom of the page if viewing on mobile.)

Meanwhile, visit this link in the event you did miss the Manu Bennett – Deathstroke story from yesterday. (Photo: The CW.)