We've got everything you need to know about Riverdale, the Archie TV series set to air on the CW!
Riverdale, from Arrow and Flash mastermind Greg Berlanti, is not a sitcom, but a one-hour drama inspired by Twin Peaks. The series will also mark the first appearance of Kevin Keller outside the pages of the comics. Riverdale will star KJ Apa, Cole Sprouse, and Camila Mendes as America's favorite teens.
What do you do if you've become a household name for portraying a beloved non-conformist on a Netflix series that has catapulted you to stardom? Well, if you are Shannon Purser -- A.K.A. Barb on Stranger Things -- you head to Riverdale.
Ms. Purser will play Ethel Muggs on the CW's forthcoming "Archie meets Twin Peaks" series, and we couldn't be more excited. As Archie comics fans will be quick to point out, Big Ethel has been a gangly staple of Riverdale life for decades, originally portrayed as just a Jughead-loving punchline until writers like Al Hartley (in his Christian-themed Archie books) and Paul Kupperberg (in the future-set Life with Archie series) gave her some serious character development that established her as much more than just an ugly duckling who is attracted to hamburger-loving gluttons.
It sounds like Ethel on Riverdale will be equally multi-faceted based on this synopsis for her debut in episode 3, "Body Double."
After new information surrounding Jason’s death comes to light, Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) finds herself under a cloud of suspicion and forced to come clean about the last time she saw her brother. Meanwhile, Archie (KJ Apa) makes a tough decision that puts a major strain on his relationship with Miss Grundy (guest star Sarah Habel). Elsewhere, Betty (Lili Reinhart) decides to revive the school newspaper and asks for Jughead’s (Cole Sprouse) help in investigating Jason’s death, while Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Ethel (guest star Shannon Purser) work on exposing some of Riverdale High’s football players after rumors of a “shame book” begin to circulate. Finally, after getting grounded by his dad Fred (Luke Perry), Archie must figure out a way to make it to the Taste of Riverdale event where Josie (Ashleigh Murray) and the Pussycats will be performing a song he helped write.
We couldn't be more on board for this. You see, in her brief role as Barb, Purser displayed a mature, world-wearly nature that is ideal for another outsider character like Ethel is. (We like to think that Barb and Ethel would be BFFs in real life, in fact it's all we've thought about since we heard this news. We have issues).
Oh, and let's hear it for everyone at The CW and Archie for some zeitgeist-capturing casting. This should not only be an inspired creative choice, but it shows yet again how Archie has their finger on the pop culture pulse. Here's a pic of Shannon Purser with the Riverdale writing staff that Archie Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa posted to Twitter:
Riverdale Premiere Date
Riverdale premieres on January 26th with its first episode, "The River's Edge." Episode 3 (Ms. Purser's debut) will air on February 9. You can read our spoiler-free review of the first few episodes right here.
Here's the official synopsis for Riverdale episode 1, known as "Chapter One: The River's Edge"
As a new school year begins, the town of Riverdale is reeling from the tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom. Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) is still the all-American teen, but the summer’s events made him realize that he wants to pursue a career in music — not follow in his dad Fred’s (Luke Perry) footsteps — despite his forbidden relationship with Riverdale’s young music teacher, Ms. Grundy (guest star Sarah Habel).
With the weight of the world on his shoulders, Archie must look for a new music mentor and turns to Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray) but she is focused solely on her band, Josie and the Pussycats.
Weighing heavily on his mind is also his fractured friendship with budding writer Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). Meanwhile, girl-next-door Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) is anxious to see her crush Archie after being away all summer, but she’s not quite ready to reveal her true feelings to him. And Betty’s nerves, which are hardly soothed by her overbearing mother Alice (Mädchen Amick), aren’t the only thing holding her back.
When a new student, Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), arrives in town from New York with her mother Hermione (Marisol Nichols), there’s an undeniable spark between her and Archie, but Veronica doesn’t want to risk her new friendship with Betty. And then there’s Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch), Riverdale’s Queen Bee, who is happy to stir up trouble amongst the others even though she’s keeping a few secrets of her own.
Riverdale Trailer
Check out all the trailers and promos for Riverdale so far!
Though this next one might not give us many story details, the promo does give us glimpses at some iconic characters — including Archie, Betty, and Veronica — as well as previewing the aesthetic of the show. It also namedrops both The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl, which gives you some idea of the vibe it's going for. Check it out...