The world of Archie is returning to TV, but not quite as you remember it. Originally in development at Fox before jumping to the CW, Riverdale will blow the cover off Archie’s wholesome facade, and examine the dark seething underbelly of small-town life. I’m not sure the Riverdale of old actually had anything seething under the facade, it might have been all facade, but okay, sure. The CW recently announced the actors playing their Betty (Lili Reinhart) and teen heartthrob Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and now they’ve revealed their picks for Cheryl Blossom, Josie and Archie Andrews himself.
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The all-American Archie will be played by frequently-shirtless New Zealand dreamboat KJ Apa. The new version of Archie is described thusly…
“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.”
Intense and conflicted! I guess that’s what the comics were trying to portray when sweat beads used to fly out of Archie’s head when he saw both Betty and Veronica in bikinis at the same time? Oh, and don’t worry, the makers of Riverdale are promising KJ Apa will have red hair for the show. Some things are just sacred.
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Speaking of redheads, the unpredictable Cheryl will be played by Madelaine Petsch (The Curse of Sleeping Beauty). Here’s the 411 on the new edgy version of Cheryl.
“Cheryl is rich, entitled and never accountable. A manipulative mean girl who kills with kindness, she recently lost her twin brother in a mysterious accident.”
Or WAS it an accident? Dun dun dunnnn.
Finally, Josie will be played by Ashleigh Murray. Here’s what you can expect from the new Josie and the Pussycats bandleader.
“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.”
Yet-to-be-cast are Reggie, Kevin Keller and, of course, Veronica. Archie Comics has released a piece of Riverdale promotional art by Veronica Fish that hints at the directions they may be going with the remaining characters.
Wait, where’s Moose in that picture? And Midge? And Dilton? Archie fans demand to know who’s going to be playing Mr. Weatherbee!
(Via Archie Comics)
