The CW has cast the first two members of Archie’s gang in its “Riverdale” pilot. Lili Reinhart is set to play Betty Cooper and Cole Sprouse will play Jughead Jones, TheWrap has learned.
“Riverdale” is set in the present day and is based on the iconic Archie Comics characters. It is described as a surprising and subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica and their friends, exploring the surrealism of small town life — the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome façade.
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa will write and executive produce along with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater.
Reinhart’s Betty is described as sweet, studious and eager-to-please. The wholesome Betty has a huge crush on her longtime best friend, Archie. Tired of being the perfect daughter, student, sister, etc., she turns to her new friend, Veronica, for life advice — much to the consternation of her emotionally brittle mother.
Sprouse’s Jughead is an emo heartthrob with a philosophical bent, and is the former best friend of Archie Andrews; he is still smarting from the rift that took place between the two.
Sprouse is best known for his Disney Channel role on “Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and the spinoff “Suite Life on Deck.” He is represented by WME and Principato-Young.
Reinhart starred on Fox sitcom “Surviving Jack” opposite Christopher Meloni. She is repped by ICM Partners, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and attorney Michael H. Mahan.