Russell Tovey has been cast as DC superhero The Ray in this year's Arrowverse crossover. Tovey will also voice the character in his own animated series that will air on CW Seed, Freedom Fighters: The Ray. The Ray has been touted as the first gay superhero to headline his own series.

It was previously announced that The CW would add a new show to its Arrowverse lineup calledLegends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl.

Related: 2017 Arrowverse Crossover is 'Crisis on Earth-X'

TVLine reports that English actor and Quantico star Russell Tovey will play Ray Terrill in the Arrowverse crossover and voice the character in the animated series. It had been hinted last year that The Ray would eventually appear in one of the live-action shows,  just as Megalyn Echikunwoke's Vixen guest-starred in a season 4 episode of Arrow.

The CW's version of The Ray is described as a reporter  who is exposed to a "genetic light bomb" that gives him light-based powers. The Ray is recruited by Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters to "fight violence and oppression wherever it exists."

There have been four DC superheroes to carry the name of The Ray. The first was Lanford "Happy" Terrill, who debuted in Smash Comics #14 in 1940. The Ray was originally published by Quality Comics before the company was purchased by DC. He was a member of a group called the Freedom Fighters who fought Nazis on an alternate universe called Earth-X, a world where won World War II. His son, Ray Terrill, developed a similar set of powers and eventually discovered that his father was the Golden Age hero, inspiring him to take up the mantle. Ray Terrill was revealed to be gay during "DC Rebirth".

It appears that the heroes of the Arrowverse are headed for a clash with Earth-X that will somehow involve The Ray and possibly the Freedom Fighters. The crossover is set to feature villains from Earth-X who interrupt Barry and Iris' wedding.

NEXT: Freedom Fighters: The Ray Trailer

The Arrowverse crossover takes place across two nights on Monday, November 27th and Tuesday, November 28th on The CW. Freedom Fighters: The Ray airs on CW Seed later this year.

Source: TVLine