It has been more than a year since we last heard anything about the making of “Riverdale”, the live-action TV series based on the characters from the Archie Comics.
So imagine our surprise when we were suddenly treated to a handful of “Riverdale” casting news just today!
After a 4-month worldwide talent search, the “Riverdale” team has finally settled on 18-year-old New Zealand-born actor KJ Apa (of “Shortland Street” fame) to take on the role of Archie Andrews.
According to Deadline, JK Apa’s Archie Andrews is an intense, conflicted teen, a boyish high school sophomore who got pumped up over the summer working construction and is now juggling the interest of several girls, as well as trying to balance his passion for writing and performing music – against the wishes of his father and his football coach.
Lili Reinhart (of “Surviving Jack” fame) is set to play Betty Cooper while Madelaine Petsch will take on the villainous role of ginger bombshell Cheryl Blossom. Ashleigh Murray will play Josie, the lead singer for popular band Josie and the Pussycats.
Also cast in the CW pilot are Luke Perry (of “Beverly Hills, 90210” fame) who will play Archie’s dad Fred Andrews, and former Disney Channel star Cole Sprouse (of “The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody”) as Jughead Jones.
Since the CW’s “Riverdale” will offer a subversive take on the characters, how will the characters compare to those in the Archie Comics? Here’s what we know so far:
1. Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper
Betty Cooper is sweet, studious, eager-to-please and wholesome with a huge crush on her longtime best friend, Archie. Tired of being the perfect daughter, student, sister, etc., she turns to her new friend, Veronica, for life advice – much to the consternation of her emotionally brittle mother.
2. Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom
Cheryl Blossom is rich, entitled and never accountable. A manipulative mean girl who kills with kindness, she recently lost her twin brother in a mysterious accident.
3. Ashleigh Murray as Josie
Josie is a gorgeous, snooty and ambitious girl who is the lead singer for popular band Josie and the Pussycats. She has zero interest in recording any songs written by fellow teen Archie.
4. Luke Perry as Fred Andrews
Fred Andrews is usually easygoing and is the owner of a construction firm who is hoping his son, who worked for him all summer, will someday take over the family business.
6. Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones
Jughead Jones is a heartthrob with a philosophical bent and former best friend of Archie Andrews. He is still smarting from the rift that took place between the two.
The plot is as follows:
“Set in present time, Riverdale is a subversive take on Archie (played by KJ Apa), Betty (played by Lili Reinhart), Veronica and their friends, exploring the surrealism of small-town life — the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome façade.”
Now, the next question is, who will play the poor little rich, sometimes vain and conceited girl, Veronica Lodge? It won’t be long before we find out 🙂
Archie Comics chief creative officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa wrote “Riverdale” and is executive producing with Berlanti Productions’ Greg Berlanti (of “Arrow” and “The Flash” fame) and Sarah Schechter as well as Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater.
UPDATE (10th March, 3:13pm):
They’ve found their Veronica! Newcomer Camila Mendes will take on the role and compete with Betty for Archie’s affection.
7. Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge
Veronica described as an intelligent, confident, silver-tongued high school sophomore. Veronica returns to Riverdale from New York, eager to reinvent herself after a scandal involving her father.
Joining her are a slew of other newly cast actors such as Ross Butler, Daniel Yang, and Cody Kearsley. Butler will play the role of Reggie Mantle, Yang will be Dilton Doiley, and Kearsley has landed the role of Moose Mason.
Sources: Deadline (1), TVLine, Deadline (2), The Wrap, Deadline (3) / Featured image from Archie Comics.
