According to a press release from Archie Comics, Riverdale, featuring darker versions of Archie, Betty, Jughead, Veronica and Reggie, is coming to the CW this fall.
The pilot is written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Chief Creative Officer of Archie Comics, which has scored big with both readers and critics with adult-oriented takes on the popular characters, including the horror-themed Afterlife with Archie also written bu Aguirre-Sacasa. The official network description for Riverdale calls it “a surprising and subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends.” The show exposes “the surrealism of small town life — the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome façade.”
Riverdale is produced by comics-to-screen mega-producer Greg Berlanti, who also produces Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and the just acquired Supergirl for the network. Add in iZombie, and that makes six different comics-based shows on the CW.
The show features K.J. Apa as Archie, Camila Mendes as Veronica, Cole Sprouse as Jughead, and Lili Reinhart as Betty.
Archie Comics Publisher and CEO Jon Goldwater said in a statement: “This is a historic moment for Archie Comics — and I couldn’t be more proud. It’s a culmination of my time here, and I’m eager to see Greg Berlanti, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, The CW, Warner Brothers Studios, and the cast bring Riverdale to viewers every week. My promise to fans? You ain’t seen nothing yet.”