In recent years, The CW has launched a successful shared superhero universe that spans multiple Earths across four separate series -- Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow. Although the Arrowverse draws inspiration from DC Comics characters, The CW's lineup includes more series based on comic book properties. At the midseason, The CW will debut the third season of iZombie, based on the Vertigo comic of the same name, as well as the series premiere of the Archie Comics-inspired Riverdale.
Fans of the original Archie Comics can expect all the classic characters to make the jump from page to live-action. However, Riverdale will put a modern, somewhat darker spin on favorites like Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa), who, according to an early character description, will be "harboring more than one dark, terrible secret." Now, a new promo for Riverdale introduces Archie's classic love interests: girl-next-door Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) and wealthy socialite Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes).
The CW released the new promo [above], which features Apa, Reinhart, and Mendes talking about the classic Team Betty and Team Veronica love triangle that has persisted throughout Archie Comics' long legacy. Speaking to Archie's thought process when he first meets Veronica, Apa said, "When he sees Veronica, it’s just endgame." Meanwhile, Reinhart teases some unexpected twists from this particular dynamic: "It’s going to be really, really exciting to see what actually is going to happen."
Of course, the classic love triangle dynamic may be a little more complex in this series since the Riverdale season 1 synopsis revealed Archie will be having a secret relationship with one of his teachers when the show kicks off. Not to mention, Riverdale itself will be a somewhat atypical teen drama -- one that has been compared to David Lynch's Twin Peaks -- since it will additionally be set against the backdrop of the mysterious death of a local teenager. Aside from Archie's relationships and the secrets of small town life, Riverdale will feature plenty of high school goings following fellow classmates Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse), Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), and Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch).
That said, although this promo tries to highlight the classic love triangle dynamic between Archie, Betty, and Veronica, it remains to be seen how Riverdale actually develops their relationships. Betty and Veronica have been best friends, and sometimes rivals, throughout Archie Comics history; as part of the publisher's recent revamp, the duo received a new featured comic run that launched earlier this year. Betty & Veronica saw the friends square off over the debate of whether a massive company should take over a local establishment.
Whether or not Riverdale pursues the relationships between Archie, Betty, and Veronica as a typical love triangle remains to be seen. But, if The CW's upcoming series takes their dynamic in a new direction, it won't be the only way the show will diverge from the classic Archie Comics. Still, Riverdale was developed by Archie Comics’ chief creative officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, so it's possible the series will honor its source material. In any case, Archie fans and casual TV viewers will find out whether Riverdale proves to be a success when the show debuts next month.
Next: Riverdale Poster Brings Together Archie and His Friends
Riverdale premieres Thursday January 26th, 2017 @9pm on The CW.
Source: The CW