[Photo via Archie Comics]

‘Riverdale’ spin-off ‘Katy Keene’ casts lead role for pilot

March 11, 2019

[Photo via Archie Comics]

Back in January, we learned of the upcoming Riverdale spinoff Katy Keene. While many people had their fingers crossed for Keene look-a-like Katy Perry to hit the small screen, the show has officially cast their titular character.

The show will be a musical dramedy centered around Archie Comics character Katy Keene as she embarks on a journey in New York City to become the next big thing. Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars, Truth Or Dare) will be taking on the lead role in the comic book adaptation, joining several other previously announced actors.

More on Katy Keene

Hale joins Riverdale favorite Josie McCoy who has been with the series since its 2017 debut. Ashleigh Murray will be playing a slightly older version of McCoy in the spinoff series. The Pussycat will continue to pursue a career in music, trying to get her big break and forging new friendships along the way. If the pilot episode is a success and the network decides to continue the show, Murray will be leaving the small town of Riverdale and the show of the same name, according to TV Guide.

Jonny Beauchamp and Julia Chan also joined the spinoff. Beauchamp will be Jorge/Ginger Lopez, a drag performer who wants to be on Broadway. Chan will be Pepper Smith, a New York City trendy girl.

Even though Katy Keene is in the Riverdale universe, don’t expect any high school-era crossovers between the two shows. In an interview with Deadline, Mark Pedowitz says the series will be taking place a few years into the future.

“Katy Keene takes places years after Riverdale High School,” Pedowitz says. “There are no plans to do anything [regarding a crossover]. Any of the Riverdale characters who come to Katy Keene will be older. Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] is getting the pilot right.”

Katy Keene will follow the storyline of the Archie Comics character with the same name. According to TV Line, the Riverdale spinoff will be a musical dramedy portraying Keene on her quest to become a triple threat on Broadway, in fashion and in music in New York City.

Keene first appeared in Archie Comics in 1945 as a supporting character in Wilbur Comics.She received her own title series in 1949, and it ran for 12 years. The character was later revived in the 1980s in another series, Katy Keene Fashion Book Magazine, and made appearances in supporting roles in other comics. Now she’s headed to the small screen.

How excited are you for the Riverdale spinoff? Sound off in the comments!