With casting now official, Netflix confirmed The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will start streaming in 2018. The CW has recently found great success in adapting some beloved Archie Comics. While the network thrived with DC Comic properties, Riverdale launched last year and quickly gained the support of viewers. Currently in its second season, The CW began looking for a way to add to this universe. What they eventually landed on was a companion series that would center around Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

The younger-skewed network began developing the series, with Riverdale's creator teasing an early look at the script. Progress continued with a character breakdown surfacing, but then something unexpected happened. Sabrina moved to Netflix as part of a two-season order. The move signaled a shift for the series that still did not have a star or release date set.

Related: Why the Riverdale Spinoff Sabrina Series Went to Netflix

Archie Comics just named Mad Men's Kiernan Shipka as the lead, and confirmed the release year in the process. Archie Comics' official Twitter account shared the news with an image that confirms The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will start streaming in 2018. No firm date was announced at this time, so expect that announcement to come once production wraps.

BREAKING NEWS: @netflix has cast @kiernanshipka as Sabrina Spellman in the upcoming TV series based on THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA comics!

READ MORE: https://t.co/0Y3cNvD9Us pic.twitter.com/3GXVrBcMaj— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) January 5, 2018

A 2018 release for Sabrina isn't shocking, but will be good to know as production begins and as Riverdale season 2 winds down. Assuming Riverdale is renewed for a third season and debuts in a similar late fall slot, the premiere of Sabrina could arrive shortly after. It may be too soon to think Sabrina will be ready to go by October, but it could be in a situation where it can debut at the end of 2018 while Riverdale is on its winter break. Since this is a spinoff from Riverdale, seeing how closely the two series are intertwined will be something to keep an eye on as both progress.

Now that Sabrina has a star and a rough release schedule, it should be full steam ahead as they close out pre-production. Outside of the titular witch, the only other characters known to be included are her relatives based on previous descriptions. There is currently no firm start of production date either, but it is anticipated for Sabrina to begin filming in the spring. Once the cast starts to round out around Shipka, they will get closer to being able to begin. Regardless, they still have a ways to go to get the show ready to release this year.

MORE: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Concept Art Revealed

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will debut on Netflix in 2018.

Source: Archie Comics