Newcomer KJ Apa will play Archie Andrews, 'Beverly Hills, 90210' alum Luke Perry is cast as Archie's father, and Ashleigh Murray lands the role of Josie.
- Feb 25, 2016
AceShowbiz - The CW's take on "Archie" comics, "Riverdale", has found its lead. KJ Apa, an 18-year-old New Zealand-born actor, is cast in the role of Archie Andrews. Also recently added to the cast for the pilot are former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Luke Perry as Archie's father Fred, and Ashleigh Murray as Josie of Josie and the Pussycats fame.
The casting of Perry as Archie's father suggests that the character will get a makeover for the TV series. Per Deadline, "usually easygoing, Fred Andrews is the owner of a construction firm who is hoping his son, who worked for him all summer, will someday take over the family business."
Archie himself is described as "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."
Meanwhile, Josie "is 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."
The three stars join Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart who were earlier tapped to play Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper respectively.
The show will explore the surrealistic twists of small-town life, in addition to the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale's wholesome facade. It would also be a "bold, subversive take" on the love triangle among Archie, Betty and Veronica.
Filming on "Riverdale" pilot is expected to take place in March in Vancouver. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa writes the pilot. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Jon Goldwater and Aguirre-Sacasa serve as executive producers.
