The Flash's Danielle Panabaker On The Invasion! Crossover, And Why She's Excited Caitlin Is Single

10/25/2016 06:23 pm EDT

This weekend at the 100th episode celebration for Arrow, a number of actors from The Flash and DC's Legends of Tomorrow stopped along the red carpet (actually, it was green -- just like the cake) to say a few words to reporters, congratulate Arrow, and tease a little bit about the upcoming crossover.

Along the way, The Flash's Danielle Panabaker joined ComicBook.com to talk about how excited she was to get to be a part of the Arrow hundredth episode, which is part of said crossover...although to hear the Arrow cast and crew tell it, the other superheroes of the CW DC Universe and even the alien invasion led by the Dominators are only a fairly small part of Arrow's eighth season 5 episode, which will be titled "Invasion!"

For Panabaker, even though she's not part of the show, being part of the celebration was a no-brainer.

"They feel like extended family that's just down the road and we don't get to see that often, but when we do, it's wonderful to see them," Panabaker said of the Arrow team.

And, yes, now that her character seems to be developing super powers of her own, Panabaker is hoping (but not confirming) that she, too, will get to punch an alien or two by the time the big crossover event is done.

"I'm always rooting for more action," Panabaker laughed. "I think that's one of the things they do such an incredible job with on Arrow is their action. They're so inspiring and I think they do a great job and I'm always excited to see what I can do next."

Being on Arrow or Legends of Tomorrow, she says, also pushes her out of her own comfort zone a little bit.

"We get to be a different version of ourselves," she explained. "I feel like Caitlin often has to be the serious one on The Flash who's concerned about the consequences, and one of the first episodes I did on Arrow I got to bring some humor into it."

She added that she'd like to work with Melissa Benoist -- that she loves Supergirl, and would like to be a part of that show. Does it happen in this year's "Invasion!" crossover? Panabaker opened her mouth, then reconsidered. Sorry, folks, some things you have to watch to find out.

Coming off the emotional drain of last season -- where she was widowed in the season premiere, only to think she found love again and have him turn out ot be a villain who, among other things, kidnapped her -- we asked Panabaker about the ever-looming specter of shipping. She joked that "you would think" her character had been largely spared fan controversy about her love life, but that wasn't the case. Either way, she's happy to be focused on other things right now.

"I'm excited for her to not be with someone this year," Panabaker said, adding, "It's not realistic but I'd love Robbie playing Ronnie to come back. That's my dream: they're fire and ice; they're meant to be together."

The Flash airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.

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