After filming its pilot in Vancouver from March 14th to March 31st of this year, new CW TV series Riverdale season 1 based on the Archie comics starts production today.
The series is the latest CW show from Executive Producer Greg Berlanti to join his ‘Berlanti Universe’ here in Vancouver (Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl). Set in the titular town of Riverdale from the Archie comic book series, the show revolves around Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and their friends. Amidst the usual high school drama, they begin to uncover the strange, mysterious layer underneath the wholesome town.
Although the characters may be familiar and based on the Archie Comics, the TV adaptation will be a fresh new take which is said to be darker. Much of the darkness and mystery will stem from Cheryl Blossom, who is described as the ‘villain’ of Riverdale season 1.
Riverdale Season 1 has a very well-rounded ensemble cast set to play many of the favourite characters from the Archie Comics. Here’s a roundup:
| Actor | Role | You may know them from |
|---|---|---|
| K.J. Apa | Archie Andrews | Shortland Street |
| Lili Reinhart | Betty Cooper | The Kings of Summer, Surviving Jack |
| Camila Mendes | Veronica | Randy Doe |
| Cole Sprouse | Jughead Jones | The Suite Life of Zack and Cody |
| Luke Perry | Fred Andrews | Beverly Hills 90210, Ties That Bind |
| Madelaine Petsch | Cheryl Blossom | Instant Mom, The Curse of Sleeping Beauty |
| Mädchen Amick | Alice Cooper | Twin Peaks, Witches of the East End, American Horror Story |
| Marisol Nichols | Hermione Lodge | Teen Wolf, GCB |
| Ross Butler | Reggie Mantle | K.C. Undercover, Hacker’s Game, Perfect High |
| Asha Bromfield | Melody | Max and Shred, Dead on Campus |
| Ashleigh Murray | Josie McCoy | Younger |
| Casey Cott | Kevin Keller | |
| Lochlyn Munro | Hal Cooper | Unforgiven, Freddy vs. Jason, Scary Movie |
| Cody Kearsley | Moose Mason | |
| Caitlin Mitchell-Markovitch | Ginger Lopez | |
| Olivia Ryan Stern | Tina Patel | Liar Liar Vampire, Mostly Ghostly 3: One Night in Doom House |
| Sarah Habel | Geraldine Grundy | Whip It, Rush, Underemployed |
| Shannon Purser | Ethel Muggs | Stranger Things |
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, series writer and Chief Creative Officer of Archie Comics, shared a “Class Photo” of some of the Riverdale cast during pre-production last week:
School is in session! Table read of 102 & 103 today! Deans list for all! @ArchieComics @CW_Riverdale #riverdale #S1 pic.twitter.com/y32nOKgEO4
— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) September 3, 2016
He also shared a great look at the Pop’s Chock’lit Shop set built at their studio lot in Langley:
Slowly but surely… #riverdale #season1 @ArchieComics @CW_Riverdale pic.twitter.com/24jKSzww8V
— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) August 29, 2016
Riverdale Season 1 Filming Locations
The location used for Pop’s Chock’lit Shop during the pilot episode was Rocko’s Family Diner in Mission, BC. Check out our Current Filming Locations page where we post daily locations as they’re found/reported for filming in Vancouver and area. You can find a list of previous Riverdale filming locations in our Filming Location Archive.
RELATED: TV Pilot Season in Vancouver 2016 Roundup
Riverdale Season 1 Official Trailer
Riverdale season 1 is scheduled to continue filming in Vancouver and British Columbia until February 9th and it’s expected to premiere in early 2017 on The CW in the US.
