Riverdale broke through in 2017 by featuring a cast of talented newcomers and hours of moody bingeworthiness. Creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa tells TV WEEK Close Up that in season three the show will continue to update the Archie Comics world for a modern audience.
“We’re going to infuse this season with a lot more high school stuff, but still with all the crime, drama and mystery,” he says.
The story picks up with Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) arrested for a murder seemingly orchestrated by crime boss Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos).
“We meet them in the premiere,” Roberto says. “The Serpents, now led by Jughead [Cole Sprouse] and FP Jones [Skeet Ulrich], as well as Betty [Lili Reinhart] and Cheryl [Madelaine Petsch], are trying to maintain the peace – which quickly gets disturbed.”
Here, the cast share their insights on Riverdale 3.0…
KJ APA AS ARCHIE
KJ APA AS ARCHIE
“Archie is trying to redeem himself.”
New Zealand-born actor KJ – who played Kane Jenkins for two years in NZ soap Shortland Street – reveals that Archie is in a fix.
“He’s on trial for the murder of Cassidy Bullock,” KJ, 21, says. “Even though we know he didn’t do it, Archie’s really trying to redeem himself.”
KJ adds that he’s welcoming the new dynamic for Archie.
“I’m excited to shoot all the prison stuff,” he says. “I’m stoked that the storylines are pretty dark, because it’s more challenging. It’s always good to be uncomfortable as an actor.”
CAMILA MENDES AS VERONICA
CAMILA MENDES AS VERONICA
“She’s not just a spoiled rich girl.”
We’re going to see a new, entrepreneurial side to Veronica, Camila says.
“On top of being a high school student, she’ll be running a speakeasy in Pop’s,” she reveals. “Now that she’s been cut off financially from her father, she needs to make her own money. She’s hustling. She’s not just a spoiled rich girl.”
Camila, 24, adds that Riverdale 3.0 ventures into new territory.
“It’s an eerie mystery,” she says. “Something’s happening in town – but no-one really knows why.”
LILI REINHART AS BETTY
LILI REINHART AS BETTY
“She’s the Serpent Queen now.”
Fans have a name for Lili’s on-and-off-screen romance with Cole Sprouse’s character: “Bughead”. And their ongoing relationship is front and centre this season too.
“They’re back to their earlier ways where they’re an investigative team,” Lili, 21, says. “They tackle this season’s mystery head-on. It’s fun. Betty’s also the Serpent Queen now too and you see her own that title.”
Off-screen, Lili and Cole prefer to keep their relationship on the down-low, but the cast are tight. “We’re each other’s best friends,” she says.
COLE SPROUSE AS JUGHEAD
COLE SPROUSE AS JUGHEAD
“Jughead is going to be tested.”
Unlike much of the cast, Cole Sprouse had already experienced fame thanks to his role – alongside twin brother Dylan – in the Disney Channel hit The Suite Life Of Zach & Cody. Then Cole stepped away to study archeology at college before returning to the screen as Riverdale‘s edgy Jughead. T
his season, he says, Jughead is “consolidating”. “The Serpents are broken, so Jughead’s going to be tested as their leader,” Cole, 26, says. “It’s going to be super-interesting.”
MADELAINE PETSCH AS CHERYL
MADELAINE PETSCH AS CHERYL
“She finally got to come out.”
“Cheryl is living her truth now, that’s why she’s changed so much,” Madelaine Petsch, who’s played Riverdale High’s queen bee since the beginning, says.
“She’s got a girlfriend, she’s emancipated from her mother and she’s still the head cheerleader. She’s going to start making power grabs – which maybe won’t be so great.”
Madelaine, 24, was bullied as a child, but is having the last laugh now, having bagged a swag of awards for her portrayal of Cheryl Blossom.
LUKE PERRY AS FRED
LUKE PERRY AS FRED
From ’90s teen star in Beverly Hills 90210 to Archie’s single dad in Riverdale – Luke, 51, has experienced the changing nature of fame.
“I encourage them [the Riverdale cast] to keep their private stuff private [on social media] and keep the show visible,” he says. “That’s the key.”
MARISOL NICHOLS AS HERMIONE
MARISOL NICHOLS AS HERMIONE
Veronica’s mother Hermione is steelier than her pampered and glamorous background would suggest. She’s now mayor of Riverdale and is looking forward to wielding power.
“I think she’s going to use that power to change her marriage and rekindle the relationship with Veronica too,” Marisol 44, says.
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