For Echo Kellum, getting cast on the CW’s Arrow was a match made in comic-book heaven.

Not only is the self-professed science nerd playing a skilled hacker and coder — Curtis Holt, aka Mr. Terrific in the DC Comics universe — the series regular is tasked with bringing depth to the role. In the process, he’s won over the show’s diehard fans.

“I love that Curtis is such a layered, affable character,” Kellum says. “He is in a place where he can invent wonderful gadgets and help humanity, so it’s been a lot of fun for me to play. This season [which premieres October 5], we’re also going to see him deal with balancing his work and home life, as well as creating lots of cool devices for Team Arrow.”

Another plus of playing Curtis: the character is openly gay and has a loving husband. “I am proud that Curtis is both a person of color and a member of the LGBT community,” says the actor. “I am so pleased that we’re seeing more of what our world really looks like on television these days. There is still a lot of room for growth, so we have to continue to fight to make change happen.”

A graduate of two famed improv institutions — the Groundlings school and the Upright Citizens Brigade — Kellum has compiled credits on such shows as FX’s You’re the Worst, Fox’s Ben and Kate and NBC’s Sean Saves the World. Next year, he’ll be seen playing a slam poet in the 2017 Netflix movie Girlfriend’s Day, and he’s voicing King Joaquin on Disney Channel’s animated Elena of Avalor.

When he’s not acting, playing video games or spending time with his two kids, Kellum is writing and developing his own comedic projects.

And for fellow comic-book nerds who want to pursue their dreams, he has these encouraging words: “Never stop. Always believe that you’re good enough, and remember that you don’t have to follow everyone else’s path.”

This article originally appeared in emmy magazine, Issue No. 8, 2016