'The Flash' Season 2 Spoilers: Joe Will Get A New Partner After Eddie's Death; Who Is Patty Spivot?

Eddie Thawne’s (Rick Cosnett) death in the Season 1 finale of “The Flash” left a partner-sized hole for Joe West (Jesse Martin) heading into Season 2. Luckily, the CW is working on finding a replacement for the beleaguered detective in the new episodes. In fact, comic fans might recognize the new addition from the DC Universe.

According to audition videos obtained by Comicbook.com, “The Flash” is seeking an actress to play the pivotal role of Patty Spivot. Comic book readers know Patty as the forensic scientist, specializing in blood, who works very closely to Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) at the Central City Police Department. However, in the CW series the character will join the team as Joe’s new partner, not Barry’s assistant. Patty will become the first major female cop character on the show.

More interesting to fans will be the romantic possibilities for the character. In the comic books, Patty becomes a love interest for Barry after working closely together at the police department. Despite the fact that Patty will be introduced as Joe’s partner, romance is not out of the question. The CW series previously announced that it was searching for a “Felicity Smoak-type love interest” for Barry in Season 2, referencing Oliver Queen’s (Stephen Amell) tech-wizard girlfriend (Emily Bett Rickards). Patty’s forensic skills could help her fit that bill.

Barry still has a thing for Iris (Candice Patton), but after Eddie’s death, those plans might be on hold. Executive producer Andrew Kreisberg told Entertainment Weekly that the pair will have to take some time to digest the finale’s big tragedy.

“Iris has been with Eddie for a long time and they were living together. [Eddie] didn’t just die, he died to save her. Obviously, Iris is going to be dealing with that," Kreisberg said. “Barry is going to be dealing with the fact that all Barry has ever wanted to do is protect Iris, and in the end it was Eddie who got to do it.”

Will Barry and Patty become a romantic relationship? Fans will have to wait to find out. “The Flash” returns to the CW for Season 2 in the fall.