Get excited, Riverdale fans, because the Archie Comics Universe is expanding yet again. Of course, there’s already the hit show featuring the (often wild) goings-on of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the gang, not to mention Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina which also takes place in the ACU. And now The CW is adding another show to the mix: Katy Keene, based on the popular comic.
Here’s everything we know so far:
1. The creators. The creative team behind Riverdale, including writers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Michael Grassi, will also work on Katy Keene. Aguirre-Sacasa first announced the spinoff in January on Twitter with a photo of an old Katy comic book cover. “The #Riverdale universe expands!” he wrote. “Thrilled to be bringing the adventures of Katy Keene and her New York pals to life! Extra-thrilled to be doing this with my pal Michael Grassi @thatthingofwhen!”
2. The star. On March 11, it was confirmed that Lucy Hale will join the cast as the titular character, who is an aspiring fashion designer in New York City. Per Variety, “When she’s not working as a personal shopper at a luxury department store, she’s navigating friendships and dating.”
“Well I’m slightly freaking out!” Hale wrote on Instagram. “Thank you @archiecomics / @writerras / @thecw / @warnerbrostv / @thatthingofwhen for trusting me to be your KATY KEENE. my heart is bursting ❤️”
3. The setting. New York City. Hopefully, the Riverdale kids will make a trip to NYC for an epic crossover.
4. The tone. The show has been described as a “musical dramedy”, which means there’s a good chance Hale will have the chance to show off her singing skills. Katy’s friends will also be trying to make it on Broadway.
5. The co-stars. Ashleigh Murray, who plays Josie on Riverdale, will play one of Keene’s musical friends. Others joining the Katy Keene cast include Camille Hyde, Lucien Laviscount, Jonny Beauchamp, and Julia Chan.
6. The air date. No official date for the first episode has been set.
If you thought 2018 was the year of the rom-com, just wait. Netflix announced on Friday (January 11) that Noah Centineo is starring in his third romantic comedy for the streaming platform—alongside, wait for it, Riverdale star Camila Mendes.
The movie is called The Perfect Date and, according to IMDB, it centers on a high school senior (Centineo) who launches a dating app wherein he becomes a stand-in boyfriend for people upon request. Laura Marano, who you probably know from Austin & Ally, also stars with Mendes and Centineo.
“Very Important Announcement Alert? @ncentineo will pretend to be your boyfriend this summer! Well, he will in the Netflix original movie The Perfect Date w/ @camimendes and @lauramarano,” Netflix posted to Instagram alongside two stills from the movie feature Mendes, Marano, and Centineo.
Summer isn’t that far away, right? Check out Netflix’s post for yourself, below:
Marano regrammed Netflix’s post, writing, “So excited to finally talk about this!!! See you guys in the summer.”
Netflix was largely responsible for bringing back the rom-com in 2018 with its slate of summer movies, which included The Kissing Booth,To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and Sierra Burgess Is a Loser. Centineo emerged as a breakout star from both Sierra Burgess and To All the Boys, and was quickly dubbed the Internet’s boyfriend by, well, the Internet. He’s also set to appear in the Charlie’s Angels reboot later this year, starring Kristen Stewart and directed by Elizabeth Banks.
Here’s hoping The Perfect Date is just one of many romantic comedies Netflix has in store for us this year.
This week’s episode of Riverdale went back in time and saw our favorite teens playing their parents. KJ Apa played young Fred Andrews, Lili Reinhart played young Alice Cooper, Camila Mendes played young Hermione Lodge, and so on and so forth. It was a fun episode—and as trippy as you’d expect. Apa even dyed his hair black for the occasion!
But the episode didn’t really move season three’s plot along. Instead, we learned how the Riverdale parents first came into contact with Gryphons & Gargoyles, the creepy game that’s slowly taking over the town and killing some of the students at Riverdale High. It turns out the parents were just as invested in G&G as their kids—and they may have even played a hand in one of the game’s first murders.
That’s certainly intriguing, but the best part of the episode has nothing to do with Gryphons & Gargoyles: It’s all the Breakfast Club references made throughout. Everything from the costumes to the dialogue and even some of the plot points feels like it came straight out of the John Hughes classic. Watching this episode must’ve been wild for Molly Ringwald, Luke Perry, Skeet Ulrich, and all the other Riverdale parents who were once huge teen stars. This flashback chapter was their lives at one point—literally, for Molly Ringwald.
Below, here are all the major references to The Breakfast Club tonight’s Riverdale episode made:
1. The title. It’s called “The Midnight Club.” Subtle.
2. Alice’s leather jacket and plaid shirt wrapped around her waist. It’s very reminiscent of Judd Nelson’s look in The Breakfast Club.
PHOTO: The CW
3. Their nicknames. The Bad Girl (Alice), the Rebelling Catholic (Hermione), the Teacher’s Pet (Penelope), the Artist-Athlete (Fred), the Political Animal (Sierra), and the Ladies’ Man (F.P.)
4. The rude principal administering the detention. What’s his damage? He won’t even let these kids go to the bathroom!
5. The story kicks off in Saturday detention. All the kids have landed themselves there for various reasons. Sound familiar?
PHOTO: The CW
6. “Secrets and Sins.” It’s a game the kids play during detention where they confess their deepest, darkest secrets. They do this while sitting cross-legged on the floor—just like the scene in The Breakfast Club.
7. F.P.’s letterman jacket. Is that Emilio Estevez I see?
PHOTO: The CW
8. The contentious, abusive relationship between F.P. and his father. It mirrors the abuse John Bender (Judd Nelson) details at the hand of his dad in TBC.
9. The eighties-tinged music. It’s the perfect soundtrack. Listen closely for the “Take on Me” instrumental.
10. The lunch unpacking scene. At their second detention, the kids unpack their food for lunch time. Penelope has a prim-and-proper canteen. F.P.’s just eating a sandwich. Molly Ringwald easily could be in this scene eating sushi.
PHOTO: The CW
11. The secret romances. Well, quasi-romances. F.P. and Hermione share a sweet moment while playing G&G at school, and so do Alice and Fred. It’s exactly like when John and Claire (Ringwald) kiss in The Breakfast Club.
Kiernan Shipka has every reason to be half asleep. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina actor has been doing non-stop press since arriving in New York City a few days earlier. And as soon as our interview ends, she’s on a red-eye back to the Netflix series’ set in Vancouver. “If I’m not filming the show, I’m talking about the show,” she jokes. (But also, it’s totally true.)
But the (almost) 19-year-old is happy to live and breathe the life of 16-year-old half-witch, half-human Sabrina Spellman. After all, it’s this close to becoming a hit. The series, from Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and the Archie Comics team, has yet to premiere—that comes October 26—but it’s already halfway through filming season two. “We’re almost done with episode five,” she says. “It’s crazy!”
Shipka wasn’t even born when the ABC sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch first premiered in 1996, but she was familiar with the character long before this new incarnation came her way. “I was a Betty and Veronica [comic] reader growing up, so I knew of the [Archie] universe. I knew of Sabrina,” she says. “I know this show means a lot to people right off the bat.”
She was so ready to dive into the role of Sabrina, in fact, that she changed her look to prove to producers she was the one. “I had long, dark brown hair during my first audition and was really just living my best life,” she says. “I’ve always been blonde, so it was like, ‘I’m free from the blonde hair!’ I figured if I got the role, I’d probably have to dye it, which was fine, but after my audition they were like, ‘We gotta have you audition again, and we think you need blonde hair for it.'” So, Shipka dyed her hair. She thought, “You know, if I don’t get it, I’ll have blonde hair for a bit and that’s fine.”
PHOTO: Diyah Pera/Netflix
Of course, she got the role. The transformation wasn’t done, though: She also had to cut her long hair into a bob. “This is one of those industries where you never have full control of your hair,” she says. “But the bob is 100% my jam. I love it. It’s so low-maintenance. It takes two seconds to do my hair.”
Blonde, brunette, bob, no bob—Shipka is just thrilled to work on a series with a built-in audience eager to follow the adventures of a spirited, smart young woman. “It gives me actual chills, and I’m so proud to be part of a show that feels so inclusive,” she says. “I’m such a firm believer that everyone should see themselves in a character and everyone should feel represented. I couldn’t have dreamt this up.”
And after years of supporting roles, Shipka is more than ready to step into this new light. Here, she tells Glamour.com all about it.
Glamour: You’ve mentioned in interviews that your body has never been under more stress than it is now. How so?
Kiernan Shipka: Yeah, it’s a crazy undertaking. The workload is really crazy. I will keep repeating that it’s so gratifying and the thing I want most—I would not want to be exhausted by anything else but this show—but with the amount of hours, physically, it can get stressful. Sabrina is running away from demons and all these things; plus, it’s emotional. I’m scared, I’m screaming, I’m crying [as Sabrina]. I put myself in that emotional state to an extent. There’s one scene at the end of the season that was so emotional that after, half of my face was in hives. I’m actually tired on the weekends, so it’s amazing to stay in and not go out. [Laughs]
Did you talk to any of the Riverdale cast about keeping this kind of schedule?
KS: I didn’t ask. I just went into this like, I’m going to do it. If I have to fake it until I make it, I will. To be quite honest, my body has adjusted well to the schedule. There are a lot of night shoots, too, so you’re wrapping your week around Saturday at 6 A.M. But we do bond over [our schedules]. One day I was 17 hours into my day, and I was in a bathtub in the woods, [and we joke], “You’ve been there before, right?!” It’s funny to sort of bond over similarly weird jobs that we have, but it’s nice to have a sister show that’s [nearby]. They are all so nice and fun.
How do you most relate to Sabrina?
KS: I really love playing a character that’s a little younger than me, to be honest. Because even if it’s just three years, I can bring perspective into it. I think Sabrina’s intuition is really strong. I bring up the age thing because over time I’ve strengthened my intuition and knowing myself and what feels inherently right. I feel like Sabrina really has that, even more so than when I was 16. She questions what she doesn’t think is right, and she doesn’t do anything that doesn’t feel right. That’s a big thing in my life: going with your gut. If something isn’t lighting the fire and making you excited, or if something feels wrong or doesn’t agree with you, it should be questioned. It should be talked about. I really admire that Sabrina does that even in circumstances that are pushing her one way. She’s all about the resistance.
Sabrina has to choose between two worlds, but you’ve known what you wanted to do your entire life. Has there ever been a time where you questioned whether this was the right path for you?
KS: I feel really lucky that I’ve always been in this position where I feel like I could take a break or stop acting if I wanted to. I’ve never had anyone in my life that was pushing me to do it. I remember hearing that so much growing up: “If you don’t want to do this, it’s totally your choice.” There are definitely times growing up where I was more into it or less into it, but for the most part I was pretty excited by it. As you get older you naturally question things, like, “Oh, is this what I want to do forever?” The thought was scary for a little bit, but if I don’t want to do it forever then I don’t feel like I have to. Right now, I don’t see myself doing anything else. It brings me a lot of joy. I love it. I certainly see myself expanding into writing and directing hopefully.
PHOTO: Netflix
A lot has happened in Hollywood since you got this role. In the year since, does it feel like there’s been a shift in the industry because of Time’s Up and #MeToo?
KS: I’ve definitely noticed a shift as far as conversations go. I personally feel so lucky to never have had those truly horrible, traumatic experiences. But I think what’s so great about the movement is that it’s given me a lot of confidence and strength. It’s made me feel protected in a certain way by all these strong women sticking together and fighting for something to make sure things change. I’ve definitely felt it. Especially at events and on social media, I just feel like it’s truly made such a splash. That’s such an amazing thing.
You’re now the lead on your own show. Does this feel like a new chapter for you?
KS: I kind of feel that way. I totally vibe with that. It definitely feels a bit full circle. I started on TV, and now I’m back. It feels like the right moment for it. It feels very right and also nostalgic in a certain way.
Speaking of nostalgia, if you could bring one character or actor from Mad Men to Sabrina, who would it be and why?
KS: Oh, Peggy, totally! She would totally join the coven! Yeah, stick it to the man, right? She’d be down!
What have you learned about yourself since taking on this role?
KS: That I’m allergic to cats. [Laughs] That has probably been the most important takeaway. I’ve also learned to not take Benadryl on the job! I took it because of Salem. That’s probably an even more important takeaway.
What happened?
KS: I just don’t remember the night. [Laughs] I really don’t. I just remember my leg was getting really weird and shaky and itchy. I felt like I was completely drugged, which I kind of was. I don’t recommend taking Benadryl if you have hours of work ahead of you. I still watch the first episode and see this one scene where I’m like, that’s my Benadryl acting!
Wait, what scene?
KS: I can’t tell anyone, but it’s there! There’s one scene, maybe two scenes, in the first episode that are sponsored by Benadryl. [Laughs] It’s funny now. Now we can laugh.
Last season, Riverdale ended with Archie Andrews wrongly accused of murdering Cassidy Brooke (remember him?) and faced with the harsh reality that he might end up in prison instead of high school. Meanwhile, Veronica basically emancipated herself from her father and came away with a new business endeavor in the process: Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe. Bughead seemed to be in fine form—for once—but Betty’s sister, Polly, was a different story. The elder Cooper sibling joined a cult, and it looked like Alice is her next target. Cheryl became an honorary serpent and coupled up with Toni, while legally emancipating herself from her mother and taking control of Thistlehouse. Oh, and Hal Cooper went to jail, as one would expect if you’re the Black Hood.
Got it? Good, because Riverdale returns for season three today (Wednesday, October 10) with a whole bunch of loose ends to tie up and a brand new mystery to reveal. Damn, can’t these people get any rest?
Actually, that’s exactly how Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa likes it. “Everyone is treating season three like it’s season one,” he tells Glamour.com. “We want this to be an edge-of-your-seat season, so we’re really excited. Unless you’re Archie, of course, who probably wouldn’t mind a little less drama.
“We’ll definitely know Archie’s fate by the end of the episode,” Aguirre-Sacasa promises. “One thing we’re doing a little bit different this year is jumping in time—three months to be exact—so when we meet [up with] Archie he’s mid-trial.” While Aguirre-Sacasa won’t reveal Archie’s odds of being set free, he will tell us plenty of other information, including some exciting news for Choni and Bughead fans. But with the news that Jughead’s mom and sister are coming on board (played by Gina Gershon and newcomer Trinity Likins), what does that mean for F.P. and Alice hopefuls? To our surprise, Aguirre-Sacasa is spilling the tea. Spoilers ahead!
PHOTO: Katie Yu/The CW
Fans have dissected the teaser trailer where the core four are at the lake, riding in the jalopy, etc. Is that all a dream sequence or, if it’s real, does that mean that Archie is exonerated?
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa: Those scenes really happen, and we wanted to capture this idea of stealing one last moment of youth and innocence and, honestly, summer vacation. It’s like trying to get that last day of summer vacation to be the best day of summer vacation, and that’s what went into that episode. Those scenes really happened. I wasn’t there personally, but [I heard] the water was cold. It was a really hot day the scene was filmed, so even though the water was cold, I think everyone was really down for it.
Varchie fans will get some wish fulfillment in those scenes, but going forward, which pairing will have the happier season three? Varchie or Bughead?
RAS: I think right now Bughead [is going] to have the happier season three. I will say though to Varchie fans that Veronica and Archie are proving to be very much…they’re trying to hang on to each other through the troubles in a really visceral way. Even though they could be heading towards rocks, they’re really clinging to each other because they feel so deeply for each other.
Right. And Veronica has now severed ties with her father, owns Pop’s, and went through a major transition since we last saw her.
RAS: Veronica is not to be trifled with, and Hiram is the architect behind her unhappiness and Archie’s troubles. She’s not down with rolling over and just letting him steamroll over her happiness.
PHOTO: Katie Yu/The CW
Over the summer, Lochlyn Munro (Hal Cooper) told me he’ll be back this season. When can viewers expect to see Hal again?
RAS: Not in the first few episodes, but sooner than you might expect.
Should we expect him to be behind bars all season?
RAS: When we reconnect with him, he’s definitely behind bars, behind glass, behind barbed wire. He’s in maximum security, that’s for sure.
And what about Chic? His fate was left open-ended toward the end of season two.
RAS: That is buried a bit, I would say. But we haven’t seen the body. Even when you’ve seen the body, I say never say never.
PHOTO: THE CW
That’s why I have a theory that Cheryl’s uncle Claudius is really her father. I think he’s been impersonating his brother, and it was the uncle who we saw die at the end of season one.
RAS: [Laughs] That’s a theory that has been floated by a few people. It’s definitely something that’s within the realm of possibility on our show, that’s for sure.
Let’s talk about F.P. and Alice. We know from last season that Polly was trying to help Alice by drawing her into this cult, so how will that impact—if at all—Alice’s potential relationship with F.P.?
RAS: In a weird way, the farm could open the door for Falice because the farm says to be alive in the moment. Do whatever you think, burn the past, there is no future, there’s only now. So in a weird way, the farm could be seen as giving permission to Alice to pursue F.P. The bigger threat to them will be the fact that Alice is married to Hal and F.P. is married to Gladys.
Speaking of, what’s the state of the marriage between F.P. and Gladys?
RAS: They’re strained and estranged from each other. [Laughs]
Gina Gershon doesn’t appear as Gladys until December 12, which means there are two months of episodes from now until then. What will Falice’s relationship status be by then? One would assume they’d be in a relationship just to make things more complicated when Gladys enters the picture.
RAS: Yeah, I think if this wasn’t Riverdale and it was just Falice exploring their relationship, they would be in pretty deep by the time Gladys gets there. We do see them quite together and quite intimate, but Falice is also dealing with their part in a crime that happened 25 years earlier, which is sort of rearing its ugly head this season as well. So Falice doesn’t exist on a blissed-out island apart from the day-to-day trials and tribulations of Riverdale. They’re very much caught up in the season mystery as well.
Let’s move on to Cheryl and Toni. They were together by the end of the season, and Cheryl has emancipated herself from her mother and has Thistlehouse all to herself. So will Choni be moving in together?
RAS: We’re really enjoying them being the reigning queens of Riverdale High, which we’re going to play them as. They’re still in the honeymoon phase. They are kind of getting in and out of trouble with the Serpents, without the Serpents. They too will be drawn into the season-long mysteries, and, yes, there will be a discussion about Choni living together.
According to a joint report published by Lyst and Pinterest, Riverdale, broadly, is ranked #2 on a list of the 10 most popular Halloween costumes for 2018, based on data from both platforms. This isn’t a particularly surprising revelation—the show’s audience is massive (and devoted.) But also, and perhaps even more importantly, the look is so easy to recreate. Each character has a clear sartorial signifier: Betty Cooper with her sweaters and Peter Pan collars, Archie Andrews with his letterman jacket, Jughead Jones with his beanie, Veronica Lodge with her pearls… What’s more, the modern-day interpretation of the gang (and their wardrobe) includes plenty of familiar trends and silhouettes, from chokers to high-low skirts, so you likely have pieces similar to what modern-day Riverdale High students might wear—which makes these costumes feel less… well, costume-y.
Ahead, we demonstrate how to shop your way to an A+ Riverdale Halloween costume, for you and the whole gang—from Betty and Veronica to Cheryl and Toni.
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