The Katy Keene cast leads The CW's latest Archie Comics series, which is serving as the network's big midseason entry to their already impressive slate of programming. The musical drama-comedy is developed by Michael Grassi and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the mind behind Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The brand-new show is headlined by network TV veteran, Lucy Hale.
Katy Keene is a direct spinoff of Riverdale and is set a few years after the events of the fellow CW series. It follows a group of young adults with wide eyes and even bigger dreams as they try to tackle emerging careers in New York City. At the center is Katy Keene, a hopeful fashion designer, and her pals Josie McCoy, Jorge Lopez, and Pepper Smith. Unlike the doom and gloom that often plagues the small town of Riverdale, Katy Keene plans to be more uplifting with the glitz and glam that comes with opportunity.
Riverdale is currently in the middle of season 4. It's unclear if any other characters will make an appearance with Josie being a prominent character on Katy Keene. The Katy Keene cast already has an ensemble in the making, so there's no need for Riverdale cameos to boost interest, but there could be crossovers down the line. Here's a breakdown of the Katy Keene cast and characters.
Lucy Hale As Katy Keene
Lucy Hale stars as Katy Keene, the titular character at the center of the latest series in the Archieverse. She's described as a young aspiring fashion designer trying to make it in New York City while currently working in a department store. Before headlining her own series, Hale's character was introduced in Riverdale as an old friend of Veronica Lodge and was worrying about the health of her mother. This will be Hale's third stint on a CW show after appearing in Privileged and Life Sentence, but her most well-known role is her portrayal of Aria Montgomery in Pretty Little Liars. The actress will also be starring four movies in 2020, beginning with Blumhouse's Fantasy Island.
Ashleigh Murray As Josie McCoy
Ashleigh Murray reprises her role as Josie McCoy, the former lead singer of Josie and the Pussycats and recurring character on Riverdale. Since Katy Keene is set five years after Riverdale, Josie is now living in New York City while pursuing a singer-songwriter career, which is how she meets Katy. Aside from appearing in Riverdale since 2017, Murray has also appeared in shows like The Following and Younger.
Jonny Beauchamp As Jorge / Ginger Lopez
Jonny Beauchamp plays Jorge Lopez, an aspiring Broadway performer who has his sights set on growing his drag career under the name Ginger. Jorge, the son of a former performer, is also the roommate of Katy and Josie in New York City. Beauchamp's past work includes How to Make It in America, Penny Dreadful, and Chicago PD.
Julia Chan As Pepper Smith
Julia Chan portrays another Archie Comics character, Pepper Smith, a friend of Katy who has aspirations in the fashion world. Pepper is said to be the "It" girl with all of the connections in the big city, but she also holds many secrets pertaining to her past. Chan, who previously went by Julia Taylor Ross, has worked on Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, Gotham, Schitt's Creek, BoJack Horseman, and The Great Canadian Baking Show as the co-host.
Katy Keene Supporting Cast
Lucien Laviscount as Alexander Cabot: The CEO of his father's company who wants to reopen a record label with the help of Josie. Laviscount previously worked on Supernatural, Episodes, Scream Queens, and Snatch.
Camille Hyde as Alexandra Cabot: The twin sister of Alexander and the SVP of the family business trying to work her way to the top. Hyde is best known for her work in Power Rangers Dino Charge, American Vandal, Versus, and Mr. Student Body President.
Zane Holtz as K.O. Kelly: Katy's boxer boyfriend that works as a bouncer and personal trainer while hoping to become the next welterweight champion in the ring. Holtz will be recognized from his time on Make It or Break It and From Dusk till Dawn: The Series as well as the movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Katherine LaNasa as Gloria Grandbilt: A personal shopper that works at the same department store as Katy who prevents her workers from designing clothes. LaNasa is best known for her work on Three Sisters, Judging Amy, Two and a Half Men, Big Love, and Longmire.
Bernadette Peters as Miss Freesia: Pepper's mother figure who lives in the Upper East Side and teaches the young girl everything about making it in NYC. Peters rose to fame as a Broadway performer and recently appeared in shows like The Good Fight, Mozart in the Jungle, Smash, and Ugly Betty.
Daphne Rubin-Vega as Luisa Lopez: Jorge's mother who was once a Rockette but now runs a bodega in the city. Rubin-Vega is another Broadway vet known for her time in Rent and acting work in titles like Wild Things and Smash.
James Maslow as Alan M. Mayberry: Josie's love interest in Katy Keene and a roadie. Mayberry previously worked on Big Time Rush and Sequestered in addition to being a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.