TBT: Greg Berlanti Is the Man Behind the Curtain

Photo: Berlanti posing with three of his stars, Dave Annable, William Baldwin, and Matthew Rhys

Before he was responsible for bringing caped crusaders to television, Greg Berlanti was most famous for his hit family dramas. In 2008, the writer and producer became TV's hit man thanks to the success of three ABC series: Brothers & Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money, and Eli Stone.

SLIDESHOW | 2008 Cover Gallery

Brothers & Sisters and Dirty Sexy Money represented huge steps forward for LGBT depictions on TV. The latter starred Candis Cayne as a transgender woman dating a politician played by William Baldwin. It was one of the first positive portrayals of a transgender person in primetime. Meanwhile, Brothers & Sisters pushed the envelope of what made for a compelling gay character on TV.

Six years later, Berlanti's now the man behind the mask. Thanks to the successful TV adaptation of DC Comics hero, Green Arrow, he is now bringing both The Flash and Supergirl to small screens. The former debuts on the CW, the same network as Arrow, while CBS picked up a series order of Superman's female counterpart.

All three shows are part of 2014's superhero invasion -- joining Batman (Gotham), Constantine, and upcoming adaptations of iZombie, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the spin-off, Agent Carter.

The Flash debuts Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8/7c and Arrow returns for season three on Oct. 8 at 8/7c on The CW. Check out more favorites returning to TV this fall.