While we wait for Stranger Things season 2 and* Iron Fist* to come out on Netflix this year, another TV sensation has come around. A mix between Pretty Little Liars and Scream TV, Riverdale is the new show EVERYONE is talking about.
So, what the heck is it and what do you need to know? Allow us to explain...
When is Riverdale on Netflix?
Now! A new episode is available weekly every Friday on Netflix, which unfortunately means you can’t binge a whole season in a day but you’ll still have something to look forward to every Friday.
What is it about?
Originally a story from Archie Comics which started in 1941, Riverdale centres around a group of high school students who are shocked by the death of classmate, Jason Blossom. Together they unravel the secrets of Riverdale and who really killed Jason. With teacher-student affairs, hook-ups and hot tub antics, Riverdale could be our new Gossip Girl.
Who is in it?
There's a load of new faces staring in Riverdale, as well as one or two you may already recognise...
K.J. Apa is Archie Andrews
K. J. Apa is an Australian actor playing lead character Archie, a football player who longs to write his own music. It’s not all smiles for this hunk though after he gets involved with his music teacher and witnesses a gunshot at Jason’s crime scene. If you weren’t interested in the story that much it’s still worth it just to see him fighting off the attention of practically every girl at school.
Lili Reinhart is Betty Cooper
Betty is the resident perfect princess who is in love with her best friend, Archie. Betty’s sister, Polly dated Jason before he died which puts Betty right into the middle of the drama and right into the middle of Archie and Veronica.
Camila Mendes is Veronica Lodge
Veronica is Riverdale’s Serena Van Der Woodsen, she joins Riverdale High School as the new girl whose rich dad went bankrupt leaving her dethroned in her previous life and eager to start afresh here. Catty and smart, Veronica takes Betty under her wing and the two become best friends. Total girl power!
Cole Sprouse is Jughead Jones
You might recognise Cole as one half of the Sprouse twins. Carl played Cody on Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and now he’s back and a total babe. He plays grungy Jughead, the shows narrator and school reporter who almost acts like the shows ‘Gossip Girl’ documenting the characters’ lives and filling in the blanks for us.
Madeline Petsch is Cheryl Blossom
If there was ever a Regina George at Riverdale, Cheryl would be it. Jason’s sister and Queen B, Cheryl immediately draws suspicion with her peppy attitude so soon after her brother’s death. Also, her stories seem to change with each episode leading lots of viewers to believe she is the murderer. With her bitchy attitude and popularity, it’s not hard to see why.
Other characters in Riverdale
Madchen Amick is Alice Cooper, Betty’s mother who is an absolute witch, with no tolerance for the Blossom’s she puts her dreams and expectations onto Betty who is more than a little angry at her mother’s persistence.
Sarah Habel is Geraldine Grundy, Archie’s music teacher who starts an affair with him after a lot of ‘no, we can’t’ statements. Ms. Grundy is surprisingly attractive for a teacher with a cat’s name as well.
Why are people talking about Riverdale?
Not only does Riverdale serve us a stylish show that blends Twin Peaks with The O.C but it also deals with issues such as feminism, sisterhood and right vs. wrong. That and it’s totally gripping and each episode brings us closer to finding out who Jason’s murderer really is, the show has something for everyone.
How many episodes are there?
The series is split across thirteen episodes, each making up a chapter in the story.
What are the episode titles?
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Chapter One: The River’s Edge
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Chapter Two: A Touch of Evil
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Chapter Three: Body Double
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Chapter Four: The Last Picture Show
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Chapter Five: Heart of Darkness
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Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!
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Chapter Seven: In a Lonely Place
The rest are as of yet, untitled.
Who wrote and produced Riverdale?
It’s actually written by Archie Comic’s Chief Creative Officer, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Greg Berlanti, the guy who helped produce The Flash and Dawson’s Creek.
So why wait any longer, get your detective hat on and see if you can unravel the mysteries of Riverdale.