Archie, Veronica, Jughead and the gang are back — but things are going from swell to subversive.
That’s the rap on “Riverdale,” Fox’s proposed one-hour drama following the wholesome heroes of Archie Comics as they navigate a Riverdale much different than the 1950s one represented in the comics. From a press release:
“Riverdale” offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring the surrealistic twists of small-town life plus the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. Set in the present in the small fictional town of Riverdale, New York. 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.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that “Riverdale” sounds surprisingly promising. Producer Greg Berlanti has experience producing TV shows about superheroes (“Arrow,” “The Flash) and teen dramas (“Dawson’s Creek”). If this somehow turns into two parts “Glee,” a dash of “Veronica Mars” and a heaping spoonful of “Glee,” this just might work. Or maybe it’ll be terrible and we’ll all be laughing at gifs of Jughead blowing lines at a trendy Williamsburg warehouse party.
[h/t Deadline]
