Archie comes closer and closer to the small silver screen as the casting continues for the comic adapted TV show.
The network channel picked up the show a while ago and has been in the process of casting, but has finally found the main character. New Zealander actor KJ Apa has been cast to play the titular character of Archie Andrews for the modern adaptation of the classic comics. In the new TV adaptation the Riverdale crew are re-imagined as modern teens, which follows with the new revamp of the comics.
Apa is generally a new actor with only few stints in New Zealand soap operas, so he will be making his first steps in American TV with this role. The actor recently auditioned for the role despite the months long search. Apa will be joining the rest of the cast as shown below:
KJ Apa- Archie Andrews
Lili Reinhart- Betty Cooper
Cole Sprouse- Jughead Jones
Ashleigh Murray- Josie (from Josie and the Pussycats)
Madelaine Petsch- Cheryl Blossom
Luke Perry- Fred Andrews
Other major characters, like Veronica Lodge, have yet to be casted but the search is still on. The TV show, called Riverdale, will be showing Archie as a high school sophomore and struggling with the newfound attention from his classmates after going through puberty. Murray’s Josie is the lead musician in her own band and is described as snotty and unwilling to hear any of Archie’s music. The rest of the characters mimic the comics, and the show will most likely be seeing Petsch’s Cheryl as the villain in the school setting.
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who is also the chief executive creator of Archie comics, wrote the story and is one of the executive producers along with Arrow’s Greg Berlanti. The search continues but the show will be airing on CW, and hopefully can rile up the attention of avid comic fans.