Impulse (TV series)

Impulse
Genre	Drama Superhero
Created by	Freddie Goodwin
Based on	DC Comics
Directed by	Freddie Goodwin
Starring	Jordan Fisher Grant Gustin
Theme music composer	Kristen Anderson-Lopez Robert Lopez
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Freddie Goodwin
Producers	Freddie Goodwin Benjamin Cross
Production locations	Atlanta, Georgia Los Angeles
Editor	Lyra Stormwind
Camera setup	Single-camera Multi-camera
Running time	30–50 minutes
Production company	Mob Productions
Original release
Network	Netflix
Related
The Flash (2014–2023)

Impulse is an American television miniseries created by Freddie Goodwin for the streaming service Disney+, based on the DC Comics character Bart Allen / Impulse. It is the 1st television series in the Mob Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Mob Productions, via its Mob Television label, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. Goodwin serves as showrunner and lead director.

By September 2021, Mob Productions was developing a limited series starring Jordan Fisher as Bart Allen / Impulse, with a focus on introducing him as a "big hero" within the MCU. The first 5 episodes were completed by July 2022 and the series began being filmed in early October 2023. Filming concluded in March 2024. Impulse premiered on September 10, 2024 on Disney+ with a new episode each week for nine weeks and officially concluded on November 12, 2024.

Premise

When teenage speedster Bart Allen crashes into the present from a fractured future, he brings with him a warning of a multiversal collapse orchestrated by the mysterious Doctor Doom. Struggling to control his unstable powers, Bart teams up with Gotham's Tim Drake and a reluctant Barry Allen to unravel Doom’s plan and prevent the timeline from imploding.

Cast and characters

• Logan Lerman as Bart Allen / Impulse – A hyperactive speedster from the future with unstable powers, struggling to understand his place in a fractured timeline.
• Tanner Buchanan as Tim Drake / Robin – A resourceful and analytical vigilante operating out of Gotham; becomes Bart’s closest ally.
• Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash – Retired from heroics after personal loss, but returns to help guide Bart as his grandson.
• Mads Mikkelsen as Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom – A manipulative genius from a collapsed timeline, seeking to rewrite reality through the Chrono-Forge.
• Dylan O'Brien as Velocity – An older, alternate version of Bart Allen who has sacrificed morality to preserve the multiverse.
• Anya Chalotra as Maxine Mercury – A reimagined version of Max Mercury, once a mentor to speedsters, now trapped in chronal stasis.
• Tyler Hoechlin as Cyborg-Superman (Earth-37) – A brutal enforcer recruited by Doom from a war-torn alternate Earth.
• Kaitlyn Maher as Young Bart Allen (flashbacks) – Appears in fractured time-jumps to Bart’s childhood.

• Lex Shrapnel as Lex Luthor – Assists Doom in constructing a new particle collider under false pretenses.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"Countdown"	Freddie Goodwin	Maya Thompson	July 18, 2025 (2025-07-18)
Disasters erupt across Earth with terrifying synchronicity — black lightning storms in Central City, time stutters in New York, and red skies hang over Metropolis as fire pours from its oceans. In the chaos, a 16-year-old speedster named Bart Allen arrives from the future, fractured and panicked. He makes contact with Tim Drake, who is monitoring anomalies from the Batcave’s backup systems. Bart warns that timelines are collapsing into each other, but his memories are fragmented. Tim begins noticing references in data logs to a world he has no memory of: a world where people like Supergirl and Earth-2 Batman once lived. At STAR Labs, an old satellite transmission reactivates, showing a single phrase etched across deep space: “This universe must die.” Meanwhile, mysterious antimatter waves begin erasing small towns without warning or explanation. Governments scramble to control public panic, but their communications are interrupted by a shadowed figure watching from an unknown observatory. Bart's Speed Force aura fluctuates violently as he recalls fragments of “the Monitor” and “the Wall.” Tim realizes they aren’t just dealing with a crisis — they’re living through the beginning of something apocalyptic. As the episode ends, a monitor blinks with one word: “Initiating.”
2	"Fracture Points"	Jackson Greene	Lucas Everett	August 1, 2025 (2025-08-01)
Bart and Tim travel to the remains of Ivy Town, now a ghost city lost to temporal collapse, hoping to track the source of the interference. There, they find survivors from alternate Earths — displaced versions of Atom, Zatanna, and Wildcat — all suffering memory bleeds. Simultaneously, Doctor Doom addresses the United Nations and warns that their reality is “a dying branch on a rotting tree.” He offers salvation through dominion, but demands every world submit to him. Tim, suspecting manipulation, uncovers radiation signatures linking Doom’s energy source to chronal tears originating near the Speed Force. Bart encounters a dying version of Wally West, who warns him not to trust the Speed Force — claiming it's been weaponized. Meanwhile, Barry Allen — long thought retired — is visited by Harbinger, a cosmic being caught between broken timelines. She warns Barry that the Anti-Monitor, an ancient force of entropy, has begun consuming universes whole. Barry refuses to get involved, haunted by past failure, but Harbinger says his absence is part of the reason “he won.” Back in Gotham, red lightning strikes Arkham Tower, and a monstrous energy begins to rise. Tim decrypts an archive hidden in the Batcomputer’s deep core — files labeled “Earth-Zero,” locked by Bruce before his disappearance. They read: “If this activates… we’ve already lost.”
3	"A Universe in Mourning"	Freddie Goodwin	Jackson Greene	August 15, 2025 (2025-08-15)
The Justice League is declared missing after a mission into deep multiversal space fails to return. Their last transmission shows only static and glimpses of shadowed forms tearing through reality. A global memorial is held, but public fear escalates as alien armies and warped variants of familiar villains appear in major cities. Bart suffers increasingly vivid visions of worlds long forgotten — one where the Titans ruled, another ruled by Superman’s descendants. He uncovers a Speed Force chamber buried beneath the Flash Museum, left behind by Jay Garrick, containing historical warnings from dozens of Flashes across time. Each voice echoes the same message: “Crisis is inevitable. Reset is coming.” Tim and Bart debate whether they’re repeating a cycle that has played out before. Harbinger reveals she was once the Monitor’s herald, before he was betrayed by the Anti-Monitor, his antimatter counterpart. Doom makes another move — capturing the remnants of Earth-37 and grafting it into his empire. The Multiverse begins fracturing inwards, and people vanish mid-conversation, blinked out of time. As the episode ends, a mysterious woman with glowing white eyes watches from a collapsing tower and whispers to herself: “He still doesn’t remember who he is.”
4	"Lightning Strikes Twice"	Maya Thompson	Erin Cancino	August 29, 2025 (2025-08-29)
Doom activates the Chrono-Tether, a device that begins phasing multiple cities into unstable overlaps — Los Angeles merges with Neo-Gotham, while Atlantis briefly surfaces in Metropolis Harbor. Barry, unable to sit idle, reclaims the mantle of the Flash. With Bart’s help, he enters a fragmented Earth and rescues lost heroes including Donna Troy and Steel, each unaware they’ve been missing for decades. But Bart’s Speed Force connection becomes corrupted, pulling him into an alternate Gotham ruled by Redbird — a tyrannical version of Tim Drake who serves as judge, jury, and executioner. Redbird warns Bart that his existence destabilizes time — that by surviving the last Crisis, Bart became the anomaly that cannot be corrected. Meanwhile, Tim uncovers a map pointing to “Worlds That Never Were,” charted by a pre-Crisis Batman. Doom tightens his control over the merged cities, positioning himself as the last sovereign of the multiverse. Harbinger recruits Black Canary and Firestorm to her growing resistance. Bart returns shaken but empowered, realizing Redbird was right — but the future isn’t fixed. The episode ends with a catastrophic burst of antimatter energy wiping out the moon.
5	"Survivors"	Lucas Everett	Heather Quinn	September 19, 2025 (2025-09-19)
Three weeks after the moon’s annihilation, Earth reels from tidal chaos and global panic. Survivors from dozens of dead Earths begin pouring in through rift zones in London, New Delhi, and Dakota City. Many are heroes, all of them broken by what they witnessed — consumed worlds, erased timelines, and the return of the Anti-Monitor in full form. Bart and Tim shelter a group of them while tensions rise between factions that view Doom as the only hope. Doom unveils the Chrono-Forge: a massive construct built in the shell of a dead world, capable of fusing every surviving Earth into one. Tim believes it’s a trap. Bart wants to use it to save the rest of the dying multiverse. Barry begins experiencing memory shifts — remembering worlds that never existed. Harbinger warns the Forge will not unify reality, but flatten it. Meanwhile, a faction of refugees led by Captain Atom attempts to storm the Forge’s perimeter and are annihilated by automated chrono-cannons. As hope fades, a transmission plays globally — not from Doom, but from someone who looks exactly like Bart. It simply says: “Don’t trust me.”
6	"Crisis of Self"	Freddie Goodwin	Jonathan Igla	October 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
Pulled involuntarily into the Speed Force, Bart meets Max Mercury — or what’s left of him. Max reveals the truth: Bart survived the last Crisis by becoming a temporal anchor, and over time, his existence fractured other timelines. He is the walking contradiction that the multiverse can no longer hold. Meanwhile, Tim and Harbinger travel to a ruined dimension labeled “Earth-0,” where they find the ruins of an ancient Watchtower. Inside, they encounter a cloaked woman who knows them both — and speaks of a forgotten version of Bart who destroyed the Anti-Monitor once before, only to replace him. Doom issues an ultimatum: submit to the unified Earth or be erased from the timeline entirely. The heroes are split on how to proceed. Barry questions his role as time shifts around him. Red skies deepen. Monsters from the Bleed — where collapsed timelines go to rot — begin leaking through. Bart is offered a choice by the Speed Force: let it all end… or sacrifice himself. But Bart refuses the binary. He chooses to run, even as the Speed Force collapses behind him.
7	"The Forge of Worlds"	Jackson Greene	Katie Mathewson & Tanner Bean	October 17, 2025 (2025-10-17)
The resistance launches a desperate assault on the Forge of Worlds. Tim, Harbinger, and Firestorm infiltrate its inner spires while Bart and Barry hold off Anti-Monitor sentries flooding through breach zones. Inside the Forge, hundreds of Earths begin merging — creating grotesque hybrid cities and melting realities. Doom reveals the truth: he is a Chrono-Remnant — a remnant of a timeline erased during the first Crisis, now rewriting history for revenge. Bart confronts Velocity, a twisted future version of himself, now corrupted by the Speed Force’s darkest corridors. Velocity reveals Bart must allow the Forge to collapse — even if it costs everyone — or Doom wins. Harbinger is mortally wounded sealing the breach. Barry prepares to enter the core with Bart. The episode ends with the Forge beginning to overload, and Earth-1 vanishing from stellar charts.
8	"Impulse"	Freddie Goodwin	Freddie Goodwin & Maya Thompson	October 31, 2025 (2025-10-31)
As chaos erupts, Bart enters the collapsing Speed Force chamber at the center of the Forge. Every version of himself, from different timelines and dead Earths, appears to him — broken, bitter, hopeful. Doom prepares to rewrite history, merging his timeline with Earth-1. Bart finally understands: he was never the mistake — he was the answer. He channels every fragment of the Speed Force across every iteration of himself. Together, they unmake the Forge. Doom begs to be remembered as he’s erased. The Anti-Monitor is pulled into the entropy field. Barry vanishes in light. And the multiverse resets — not to perfection, but to possibility.
9	"Legacy"	Maya Thompson	Jackson Greene & Lucas Everett	November 14, 2025 (2025-11-14)
In the rebuilt world, things are familiar… but not the same. Barry is gone, but his statue stands tall. Tim works with the global peacekeeping initiative, guiding young heroes from merged Earths. Bart wears the lightning proudly, but questions if he’s a fixed point or just someone still learning. He visits the ruins of the Watchtower, now dormant. A voice in his head whispers: “Run.” In the final moments, a monitor flickers in an empty room: “Multiverse stable… for now.”

Production

Development

When Freddie Goodwin was discussing the plan for the entire timeline regarding the Mob Cinematic Universe, he explored multiple ways to tell a "good and fulfilling" story. Goodwin believed that the studio had a greater chance of reaching a peak of success by releasing both feature films and television series for the streaming service Disney+. This strategic move was aimed at creating a cohesive and expansive narrative universe. Actors who appear in MCU films could seamlessly appear in any series as their respective roles, providing continuity and a deeper connection for the audience. Goodwin, whilst feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the project, decided to integrate DC Comics characters into the MCU through their seasons of television series. He felt this approach would be easier and more manageable, allowing for a fresh and exciting crossover of characters.

Each series for Disney+ was expected to consist of 6 episodes, with a firm policy that no series would get more episodes beyond this limit. This decision was made to ensure concise and tightly woven storylines. Goodwin and Mark Rogueson ultimately decided to use the head writer approach instead of giving each series a traditional showrunner. This was due to their intention of not doing multiple seasons of one series, except in cases where a series performs extremely well in viewership. This approach allowed for a more streamlined and focused creative process. Goodwin held multiple Q&A sessions throughout 2022 and 2023, revealing all the necessary information for viewers around the world to enjoy MCU television series. He stated that the series would be exclusive to Disney+ and would not be available for purchase on disk or other digital platforms, such as YouTube. Goodwin cited that this exclusivity would ensure fans see all the content for one price, creating a centralized and premium viewing experience.

Victoria Chase, the head writer of the series

By November 2022, Goodwin was approached by Victoria Chase, who had an idea for a story to tell within the MCU. However, the pitch wasn't "to the standards" according to Goodwin. Despite the initial rejection of her pitch, Chase was hired for the role of making a series because Goodwin felt she had the potential to do great work on it. During their discussions, Chase proposed focusing on the son of an upcoming major character within the MCU, an idea that Goodwin found appealing. Following various meetings, Chase began developing a series based on the DC Comics character Bart Allen, also known as Impulse. She decided to simply call the series "Impulse." The series and its title were officially announced in February 2023.

Chase chose to write all nine episodes of the series herself, demonstrating her commitment and vision for the project. Meanwhile, Goodwin took on the role of directing all the episodes, ensuring a consistent and unified creative direction. In discussing the number of episodes, Goodwin stated that he believed the budget wouldn't work for a traditional 13 or 16 episode season. However, he was confident that the series would succeed with a 9-episode order, allowing for a more focused and financially viable production. This strategic decision was made to balance quality and budget, ultimately aiming to deliver a compelling and well-executed series within the constraints of their resources.

Writing

Inception and structure

Cover of Infinite Crisis #1 (October 2005). Art by Crisis on Infinite Earths' original artist George Pérez

When writing the series, Chase took inspiration from the 2014 series The Flash and believed she could perfect the format in 9 episodes instead of 22 episodes. Chase felt that a shorter format would allow for a more concise and impactful narrative, avoiding the filler content often found in longer seasons. Before writing the series began, Mob Productions gave her a comprehensive file containing all the "wanted" storylines from the comics. This file was a treasure trove of potential plot points, characters, and arcs, though she had the creative freedom to choose one storyline, combine multiple elements, or use them all. One of the comics included was Infinite Crisis, a major storyline that served as a sequel to the seminal Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline. Recognizing its potential, Chase chose to have this particular storyline be slightly adapted in her series. In discussing why she opted not to adapt it entirely, she revealed that the project would be much bigger than Crisis on Infinite Earths (2025) will be. This was due to the fact that all characters in her series are from one cohesive world and universe, creating a more interconnected and expansive narrative. Planning the storyline, according to Chase, was the "easy" part. She believed that the real challenge lay in writing the scripts, which she considered the "difficult" aspect due to the complexities of character development, dialogue, and pacing required to bring the ambitious story to life.

Characters and universe

In the series, the lead character is Bart Allen, whose father is the deceased Barry Allen, also known as the Flash. Barry Allen died heroically while saving Bart, an event that profoundly impacted Bart and led him to become the hero he is today. This tragic loss serves as the emotional cornerstone of Bart's character, motivating his actions and decisions throughout the series. Discussing the plan to "resurrect" a dead character, Chase said she was approached by Goodwin with a compelling proposal. Goodwin demanded that Barry Allen be "resurrected through a storyline that lasts longer than five episodes," ensuring that the resurrection would be meaningful and impactful rather than a brief plot device. This demand was taken seriously and incorporated into the development of the series. In discussing the storyline further, Chase stated that they drew significant inspiration from "The Flash: Rebirth" storyline by Geoff Johns. This particular storyline provided a rich narrative framework and thematic depth that helped shape the resurrection arc in the series, allowing them to explore complex character dynamics and emotional growth.

Casting

Jordan Fisher portrays Bart Allen in the series.

In 2021, it was announced that Jordan Fisher was cast as Bart Allen, also known as Impulse. Goodwin and Chase were particularly impressed by Fisher's performance in the CW's 2014 series, where he initially brought the character of Bart Allen to life, and they were eager to have him return to the role in their new series, believing his portrayal captured the essence and spirit of the character, making him the ideal choice to maintain continuity and authenticity in his performance. Fisher's previous experience and understanding of Bart Allen's nuances and personality were key factors in their decision, ensuring he could deliver a performance that would resonate with both new viewers and long-time fans. Joining Fisher in the series is Dylan Minnette, who takes on the role of Tim Drake. Minnette's casting added another layer of excitement to the project, as he is set to portray a character that is highly regarded and beloved in the comic book universe. His inclusion in the series promises to bring depth and complexity to the storyline, as Tim Drake is known for his intelligence, detective skills, and unique perspective as one of Batman's protégés. The dynamic between Fisher's Impulse and Minnette's Tim Drake is expected to be a highlight of the series, providing engaging character interactions and development. The casting of these two talented actors was seen as a significant step in building a strong ensemble for the series, aimed at delivering compelling performances and staying true to the characters' roots. Their combined experience and chemistry are anticipated to enhance the storytelling, bringing the beloved characters of Bart Allen and Tim Drake to the screen in a way that honors their comic book heritage while offering fresh and exciting interpretations.

Regarding the role of Barry Allen, Grant Gustin portrays the character once again and will only appear in flashbacks to the events of Infinite Crisis, according to Chase. Mads Mikkelsen will reprise his role as Doctor Doom from Doctor Doom (2025) and 2024's The Fantastic Four.

Design

Colors and sets

Impulse was the first production to have its digital intermediate (DI) work completed at Mob Productions' new color department, which is run by Mark Rogueson. In preparation for this innovative approach, Chase and cinematographer Sara Case began collaborating with the color department before filming commenced. Their goal was to determine the visual aesthetic and color grading for each sitcom period that the series aimed to replicate. This early collaboration allowed them to meticulously plan the look and feel of each era, ensuring that the series would authentically capture the distinctive visual styles of the various periods portrayed. By leveraging the expertise and resources of the new color department, the team was able to enhance the visual storytelling and create a more immersive experience for the audience.

Costumes

Goodwin revealed that the costumes in the series will be directly inspired by those in the comics, striving to be as close to the original comic versions as possible. This dedication to authenticity is a key aspect of the series' production, as the creative team understands the importance of faithfully translating the beloved designs from the page to the screen. Goodwin emphasized that great care and attention to detail have been invested in replicating the intricate and iconic looks of the characters, ensuring that long-time fans will recognize and appreciate the effort. The costume design process involved extensive research and collaboration between the designers, artists, and the original comic book creators. Each costume was meticulously crafted to capture the essence of the characters while also considering practical aspects for the actors. The materials, colors, and overall design were chosen to reflect the distinctive visual style of the comics, with adjustments made to enhance their appearance on screen.

In addition to staying true to the comic book aesthetics, the costume department worked closely with the series' directors and cinematographers to ensure that the costumes would look dynamic and visually striking in various lighting conditions and action sequences. This approach aimed to create a seamless blend between the characters' visual representation and the overall cinematic experience. By committing to such high standards of costume design, Goodwin and the production team aimed to create a visually immersive and authentic adaptation that would resonate with both dedicated comic book fans and new viewers. This attention to detail and respect for the source material underscored their dedication to delivering a series that honors its origins while making a memorable impact on screen.

Marketing

In 2021, Goodwin and Chase both attended D23 and revealed that they were working on a new series within the MCU. They enthusiastically stated that the series would deliver "more of what you love," promising to capture the essence and excitement that fans have come to expect from the MCU. During the event, Chase announced two cast members: Fisher and Dylan Minnette. Fisher was introduced to the stage, where he provided a spoiler-free explanation of his character's story for the series, engaging the audience with hints of what to expect. Gustin was also invited to the event, but he couldn't attend due to scheduling conflicts, much to the disappointment of the fans.

The series' official trailer was released on June 10, 2024. The trailer quickly garnered massive attention, achieving 55.7 million online views within the first 24 hours. This impressive number included 36.1 million views on YouTube, 4.9 million views on Facebook, and 10.1 million views on Instagram. This viewership was believed to be the highest number ever for a streaming service's television series trailer. Additionally, the trailer became the number two trending video on YouTube, showcasing its widespread popularity and anticipation. Earlier in 2024, the series' logo was revealed, adding to the growing excitement and setting the stage for its upcoming release.

Release

Impulse is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on December 10, 2024. The first season will consist of 10 episodes.