At the CW Upfronts, it was revealed that new show, Riverdale will be premiering at midseason along with other popular series like The Originals, Reign, iZombie and The 100, much to chagrin of fans who have waited with bated breath for this show.
Based on the famous Archie Comics, which were created in 1941 by John L. Goldwater and Bob Montana, Riverdale follows teenaged Archie Andrews and his friends around the fictional town of Riverdale where a sinister undertone lies. Critics have called it a mix between Gossip Girl and Twin Peaks.
The official synopsis reads: “As a new school year begins, the town of Riverdale is reeling from the recent, tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom, and nothing feels the same.”
But how do the glamorous CW-esque characters weigh up to the iconic comic counterparts? Let’s take a look at the Riverdale characters vs. their Archie versions:
1. Archie Andrews
Archie Comics: Archie is a clumsy, lovable 16-year-old high school student who is constantly torn between his affections for Betty and Veronica. He is the only son of Fred and Mary Andrews, a mediocre student, lead singer of The Archies, football player and constantly fighting with Reggie Mantle.
Riverdale: The all-American teen, Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) is present at a boating accident that ends in the death of Jason Blossom during the summer. The events make him realize he wants to pursue a career in music instead of following his father into construction. He was having an illicit relationship with his music teacher, Ms. Grundy, he has fractured his friendship with Jughead, being crushed on by Betty Cooper, and creating sparks with new girl, Veronica Lodge.
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2. Betty Cooper
Archie Comics: Created as one of Archie’s love interests, Betty is the daughter of Hal and Alice Cooper. She is a smart, tomboyish girl who has a crush on Archie Andrews , willing to do anything to get his attention, but she constantly lives in the shadow of her richer and flashier friend Veronica.
Riverdale: Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) is a sweet, wholesome girl who has a crush on her childhood best friend Archie but has not told him how she feels about him. She is under a lot of pressure from her mother, Alice, and strikes up a friendship with the new girl, Veronica.
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3. Veronica Lodge
Archie Comics: The heiress of Lodge Industries, Veronica is the only daughter of Hiram and Hermione Lodge. She’s rich, fashionable, popular, manipulative but seems to have a genuine friendship with Betty Cooper, even though they are both in love with Archie.
Riverdale: Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes) is new to Riverdale, after moving back there from New York with her mother after a scandal involving her father. She is intelligent, confident and seems to have a spark with Archie, even though she doesn’t want to risk her friendship with Betty.
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4. Cheryl Blossom
Archie Comics: A force to be reckoned with, Cheryl Blossom is a wealthy teenager from the neighboring suburb of Pembrooke, who is also a love interest of Archie’s.
Riverdale: Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) is Riverdale’s Queen Bee, and always keen to stir up trouble between Archie, Betty and Veronica. She is also hiding a significant secret about the death of her brother, Jason.
5. Jughead Jones
Archie Comics: Jughead is the witty, easy-going best friend of Archie Andrews. He is obsessed with food and is generally disdainful toward romance.
Riverdale: Jughead (Cole Sprouse), a writer, and ‘philosophically bent heartthrob’ whose friendship with Archie is strained because of an incident that took place.
6. Josie McCoy
Archie Comics: Josie is the leader and co-founder of the band, Pussycats, she’s sweet, stable and level-headed.
Riverdale: Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray) is a snooty and ambitious lead singer of the popular band, Josie and the Pussycats.
7. Fred Andrews
Archie Comics: Fred, with his wife Mary, are the parents of Archie. He works as a businessman, although not much is known about the industry that he works in, other than it involves an aspect of industrial automotive sales.
Riverdale: Strapping and attractive, Fred (Luke Perry) is Archie’s father who owns a construction company that he hopes Archie will take over one day.
8. Hermione Lodge
Archie Comics: Veronica’s mother, Hermione, is the richest woman in Riverdale, she’s also active in philanthropic organizations.
Riverdale: Hermione (Marisol Nichols) moves back to Riverdale with her daughter Veronica after a scandal, involving her husband, takes place.
9. Alice Cooper
Archie Comics: Alice is the warm-hearted mother of Betty, who has a close relationship with her daughter.
Riverdale: Betty’s mother Alice (Madchen Amick) is the editor of the local newspaper and puts extremely high expectations on her daughter to do well.
10. Reggie Mantle
Archie Comics: Reggie comes from a fairly wealthy family, his father owns a newspaper publishing company, he is the antagonist of the comics. He often butts heads with Archie and has known to romance both Betty and Veronica. He is vain, enjoys practical jokes and is a talented athlete.
Riverdale: Reggie (Ross Butler) is Archie’s long-time nemesis and the town prankster.
11. Moose Mason
Archie Comics: Moose is an extremely talented athlete who struggles with dyslexia. He also has an anger problem, and gets very jealous when his girlfriend Midge is with other men.
Riverdale: Riverdale’s Moose (Cody Kearsley) has only been described as ‘Archie’s jock friend’.
12. Dilton Doiley
Archie Comics: Dilton is the smart one of the gang who is always creating new inventions and getting the top marks in class.
Riverdale: In Riverdale, Dilton (Daniel Yang) has been described as ‘Archie’s nerdy friend’.
13. Valerie Brown
Archie Comics: A member of the Pussycats, Valerie sings backing vocals and plays the bass guitar. She is a good at science and a skilled auto mechanic. She has an on-again, off-again relationship with Archie when her touring schedule brings her to Riverdale.
Riverdale: Played by Irie Hayleau, Valerie is the songwriter, back up vocalist and bassist of the Pussycats.
14. Melody Valentine
Archie Comics: Drummer and backup vocalist for the Pussycats, Melody is bubbly, absent-minded and constantly has men falling at her feet.
Riverdale: Played by Ashanti Bromfield, Melody is the drummer of the popular band, the Pussycats.
15. Kevin Keller
Archie Comics: Archie Comics’ first openly gay character, Kevin Keller is close friends with Betty and like Jughead has a fondness for food.
Riverdale: Played by Casey Cott, Kevin is a popular student at Riverdale High who is openly gay.
16. Ms. Grundy
Archie Comics: The English, Math and Homeroom teacher at Riverdale High, Miss Grundy is a no-nonsense educator who is constantly pushing her students to do better.
Riverdale: Played by the much younger Sarah Habel, Ms. Grundy is Riverdale High’s music teacher who is having a forbidden relationship with Archie.
Riverdale will premiere on the CW in 2017.
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