Archie Comics is joining Marvel and DC Comics on America’s TV screens. The CW has picked up Archie Comics’ Riverdale . Teenagers Veronica, Betty, Jughead, and Archie’s enemy Reggie will star along with other characters from the expansive Archie Comics library. The TV show will focus on Archie Andrews navigating a love triangle between socialite Veronica Lodge and “girl next door” Betty Cooper.
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Carrie, Supergirl) wrote the pilot and will produce with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (both producers on The Arrow, The Flash, DC Legends of Tomorrow) and Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater.
“The live-action series offers a bold, 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 Archie Comics website states.
During a Television Critics Association's winter press tour, CW president Mark Pedowitz explained why the CW chose a darker twist. "The darker take was when you have Roberto and Greg and they want to take a run at something, you give them that leeway. They deserve it. They’ve earned it. That’s why we went with a darker take.”
Josie and the Pussycats will also appear in the storyline. Screen Rant predicts the modern take on the classic will feature a more diverse cast including characters like Chuck Clayton, one of Archie’s friends introduced in the 1970’s. The comic’s first gay character Kevin Keller is also rumored to play a major role.
The CW has not announced a specific release date for Riverdale, but will begin filming this Spring.
