More Riverdale Casting: Archie’s… Not A Ginger?!?!

An 18-year-old New Zealander has landed the coveted role of Archie Andrews in The CW’s Riverdale pilot.

Deadline reports that the non-ginger KJ Apa (Shortland Street) has landed the part of the well-loved comic book character Archie. They describe him as “an intense, conflicted teen, a boyish high school sophomore who got pumped up over the summer working construction and is now juggling the interest of several girls, as well as trying to balance his passion for writing and performing music — against the wishes of his father and his football coach.”

Ashleigh Murray has also been cast, as Josie of The Pussycats fame. Deadline describes Josie as “a gorgeous, snooty and ambitious girl who is the lead singer for popular band Josie and the Pussycats. She has zero interest in recording any songs written by fellow teen Archie.”

As mentioned earlier, Riverdale based on Archie Comics is aiming for a spot on The CW’s 2016-2017 schedule.

UPDATE: More casting news from Deadline: Madelaine Petsch has been cast as Cheryl Blossom, who “is rich, entitled and never accountable. A manipulative mean girl who kills with kindness, she recently lost her twin brother in a mysterious accident.”

Something happens to Jason Blossom… uh-oh! Don’t worry, he’ll probably be back for an “Afterlife With Archie” episode.

And look! Cheryl Blossom IS a ginger!