Casting continues to come together for The CW‘s Riverdale, a subversive take on the classic Archie Comics characters, and the network has now confirmed they’ve found their Archie Andrews!
KJ Apa (“Shortland Street”) will play Archie in the series with this version of the character described as “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.”
Rounding out the Andrews household is none other than Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210) as Archie’s father Fred Andrews, the “easygoing” owner of the family construction company who hopes Archie will take over the family business.
In addition, Ashleigh Murray has been cast as Josie McCoy, leader of the titular Josie and the Pussycats group, described as “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.”
Finally, Madelaine Petsch has been cast as redhead Cheryl Blossom, described for the series as “rich, entitled and never accountable. A manipulative mean girl who kills with kindness, she recently lost her twin brother in a mysterious accident.”
They join Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper and Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones in the adaptation. The one-hour drama will be written by Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Warner Brothers Studios and Berlanti Productions. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, Jon Goldwater, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa serve as executive producers.
The live-action series offers a subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge, and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie’s rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones.
(Photo credit: Nicky Nelson/WENN.com)
