UPDATED: Luke Perry Joins Riverdale Pilot as Archie’s Father; Archie and Josie Casting Also Revealed!
Man, do I feel old writing this story. Former “Beverly Hills, 90210” heartthrob Luke Perry is joining The CW’s “Riverdale” pilot, and he’s playing a popular character’s father. How the times have changed!
In addition, we have the lowdown on who’ll be portraying said character plus casting news for everyone’s favorite Pussycat.
From the Press Release:
After casting Cole Sprouse (“The Sweet Life of Zack and Cody”) as Jughead Jones and Lili Reinhart (“Surviving Jack”) as Betty Cooper in The CW’s pilot episode of the live-action “Riverdale” TV series, comes the news that the next member of the iconic Archie series is here! Luke Perry (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) has been cast as the father of Archie Andrews.
Perry’s Fred Andrews is described as “easygoing” and the owner of a construction firm who is hoping his son, who worked for him all summer, will someday take over the family business.
Perry, whose series credits also include “Oz,” “John from Cincinnati,” and “Body of Proof,” is repped by TalentWorks and Himber Entertainment.
Rex/Shutterstock/Archie Comics
KJ Apa will play America’s favorite teen, Archie Andrews, joining Ashleigh Murray as talented musician Josie McCoy.
Apa’s Archie 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.”
Murray’s 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.”
Expect additional “Riverdale” casting news in the coming weeks.
The one-hour drama will be written by Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Warner Brothers Studios and Berlanti Productions and has been described as a subversive take on the classic Archie mythos. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, Jon Goldwater, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa serve as executive producers.
The live-action series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie’s rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones.
Popular gay character Kevin Keller will also play a pivotal role. In addition to the core cast, “Riverdale” will introduce other characters from Archie Comics’ expansive library, including Josie and the Pussycats.
For more information about “Riverdale,” visit the official Archie Comics website.
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