With season 7 beginning on March 29th, 2023, the Riverdale cast has welcomed back some familiar faces while also introducing several new characters. Based on the Archie Comics, Riverdale began in 2017 as a simple crime drama and followed the lives of Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones and Veronica Lodge as they investigated the death of their classmate, Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines). While the murder mystery formula in season 1 was a success, the show has since garnered interest for exploring other genres (such as the supernatural or horror) and coming up with the wildest and most fanciful subplots.
Season 7 seems to be continuing the trend as "The Core Four", along with their friends and loved ones, have all been transported back to 1955 after Tabitha saved them all from being hit by Bailey's Comet (season 6, episode 22 "Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen: The Night of the Comet"). With them all playing juniors at Riverdale High, viewers will not only be introduced to several new characters in this timeline, but some familiar faces are also set to return as well.
K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews
For season 7, K.J. Apa continues to play Archie Andrews - Riverdale's selfless and altruistic hero. Before ing the Riverdale cast in 2017, Apa starred in several New Zealand-based shows, playing Kane Jenkins in Shortland Street and Jack in The Cul Del Sac. While Riverdale was certainly his breakout role, he has since received recognition for playing Young Ethan Montgomery in 2017's A Dog Purpose, Chris in 2018's The Hate You Give, and Jeremy Camp in the 2020 biographical film, I Still Believe.
Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper
Playing the intelligent and comionate Betty Cooper is Lili Reinhart. Like many of the Riverdale cast , Reinhart has an impressive filmography and has featured in several well-known projects. After making a minor appearance as an older Tiffany in 2018's Galveston, Reinhart went on to star and receive critical acclaim for her role as the naive Annabelle in the 2019 crime drama, Hustlers. As well as playing the lead roles, she has also begun producing several movies too, including the 2020 Chemical Hearts 2022's Look Both Ways.
Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge
After ing the Riverdale cast in 2017, Camila Mendes continues to play the business-savvy Veronica Lodge (aka the She-Wolf of Wall Street) in season 7. While she hasn't featured in as many projects as the other cast , Mendes has appeared in several popular Netflix movies, playing Shelby Pave in 2019's The Perfect Date, Katie Franklin in 2020's Dangerous Lies, and Drea Torres in 2022's teen comedy Do Revenge. She also appeared in Hulu's Palm Springs as the extremely likable Tala Anne Walker.
Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones
Playing the intelligent and talented sleuth, Jughead Jones, is Cole Sprouse. Although Riverdale was the first major role for many of the cast , this wasn't the case for Sprouse as he already had an established career in TV and film as a child actor. While he did gain recognition for his role as Julian in 1999's Big Daddy and Ben Geller in popular sitcom Friends, he was soon propelled to fame when he played Cody Martin in Disney's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck. He also gained notoriety for portraying Will Newman in the 2020 romantic drama Five Feet Apart.
Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom
Played by Madelaine Petsch, Cheryl was initially introduced as the twin sister of Jason Blossom and the mean girl of Riverdale High. However, she soon became one of Riverdale's best characters after viewers witnessed her devotion and loyalty to her friends. Although Cheryl is considered to be her breakthrough role, Petsch has since gone on to feature in an array of comedies and thrillers, playing cheerleader Marissa in 2017's F*&% the Prom, Sarah in the 2019 horror, Polaroid, and Ellen in 2020's Sightless. In 2022, she also gained recognition for playing Georgia in the romantic 2022 Christmas film, Hotel for The Holidays.
Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz
Although she only made her debut in season 2, Vanessa Morgan's Toni Topaz quickly became an empowering role model for many individuals in Riverdale as she fought for equality and justice. Before ing the Riverdale cast in 2017, Morgan had already made a name for herself in several other teen drama movies and shows, playing Sarah in the My Babysitter's a Vampire franchise, Beatrix "Bird" Castro in Finding Carter, and Lyria in The Shannara Chronicles. She has also appeared as Lexi in the 2022's thriller Margaux.
Erinn Westbrook as Tabitha Tate
In 2020, it was announced that Erinn Westbrook would be ing the Riverdale cast as Tabitha Tate - the granddaughter of Pop Tate, who arrived in Riverdale to take over his Chock'lit Shoppe. Viewers may easily be able to recognize Westbrook due to the fact that she has appeared in several other teen dramas, playing the mean Cheerio Bree in Glee, Gabby Richards in Awkward, Magnolia Barnard in Netflix's Insatiable. She has also appeared in The Resident as Adaku Eze and voiced Michelle Cuttriss in the podcast series 10 Days.
Casey Cott as Kevin Keller
Casey Cott has also returned to play Kevin Keller in season 7. Although he was initially introduced as Betty Cooper's best friend in season 1, Kevin eventually grew into a well-developed and rounded character, helping protect his friends from the dangers lurking in town while also pursuing his ion projects (such as directing). While Kevin Keller is considered to be his breakout role, Cott has also starred in 2019's All the Little Things We Kill as Trevor Olsson and Mike in 2021's Asking For It.
Drew Ray Tanner as Fangs Fogarty
Drew Ray Tanner is also back reprising his role as Fangs Fogarty in season 7. Although he was only meant to appear in two episodes (via Decider), Tanner soon managed to turn this into a long-term position after Fangs' romance with Kevin and devotion to the Serpents began to get attention. While they aren't as big as his role in Riverdale, Tanner has appeared in several other CW shows too, making brief cameos in Arrow and Supergirl, and playing Cliff and Dion in Supernatural and Legends of Tomorrow. He has also gained notoriety for playing Charlie in 2020's Work It.
Mädchen Amick as Alice Smith
Although fans know Mädchen Amick best as Betty Cooper's mother, Alice Smith, she is actually one of the cast's most experienced actors. Before ing the Riverdale cast, Amick already had an established career in TV, achieving critical acclaim for playing the likable Shelly Johnson in the Twin Peaks franchise. While Amick does seem to have found her niche in the thriller and horror genre, going on to play Lena Mathers in 1993's Dream Lover, Mrs. Ellison in American Horror Story: Hotel, and Wendy Beauchamp in the TV series Witches of East End, she has also had brief stints on ER and Gossip Girl, portraying Wendall Meade and Duchess Catherine Beaton.
Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle
Playing entrepreneur and former Riverdogs' captain, Reggie Mantle, is Charles Melton. While he initially took over the role from Ross Butler in season 2, the actor managed to make the character his own by showing he isn't the stereotypical jock everyone believed him to be. While Reggie was certainly his breakout role, Melton has gone on to star in several successful movies, playing Daniel Jae Ho Bae in 2019's The Sun Is Also A Star and Rafe in 2020's Bad Boys For Life. He has also starred in History of the World: Part II as Joshy Mudman.
Riverdale Season 7 ing Cast & Characters
Lochlyn Munro as Hal Cooper: Reing the Riverdale cast for a brief stint is Lochlyn Munro, who is known for playing Betty's father and the Black Hood killer. Like many of his colleagues, Munro has got an extensive filmography, having appeared in 1992's Unforgiven as Texas Slim, the Detective Knight franchise as Eric Fitzgerald, and DC's Peacemaker as Detective Larry Fitzgibbon.
Nicholas Barash as Julian Blossom: Playing Cheryl's 1950s twin brother, Julian Blossom, is Nicholas Barash. He is best known for voicing Austin in The Backyardigans and Arpad Laszlo in the 2016 comedy She Loves Me.
Karl Walcott as Clay Walker: Making his debut in season 7 is Karl Walcott, who has been cast in the role of Riverdale High student Clay Walker. Before ing the show, Walcott received critical acclaim for playing Charles in the French television series, Le Chalet and Nesley Bonnet in District 31.
Alvin Sanders as Pop Tate: Tabitha's grandfather and Riverdale's favorite town resident, Pop Tate, is played by Alvin Sanders. While he has featured in several TV shows, such as Resident Alien, Devil in Ohio, and The Dead Zone, Sanders has mainly been recognized for voicing several characters in the animated series, Dragon Ball Z, G.I. Joe, and the Transformers franchise.
Molly Ringwald as Mary Andrews: The Breakfast Club's Molly Ringwald continues to reprise her role as Archie's mother, Mary Andrews. Before ing the Riverdale cast, Ringwald was already well-recognized in Hollywood after featuring in several popular '80s movies, including 1984's Sixteen Candles and 1986's Pretty in Pink. She also has experience in teen drama shows too, playing Anne Juergens in The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
William McDonald as Felix Featherhead: Although he initially played Warden Norton, William McDonald reed the Riverdale cast in season 7 to play Felix Featherhead (principal of Riverdale High in 1955). Along with having a successful career in theater, McDonald has also appeared in several TV shows and movies, playing Henry in The Night Agent, Gary Holden in Travelers, and George Nichol in The Terror.
Malcolm Stewart as Dr. Werthers: Malcolm Stewart has also ed the Riverdale cast again, this time playing Dr. Werthers - a child psychologist and school counselor who is determined to exert control over the students of Riverdale High. While Stewart has received critical acclaim for his time on Broadway, he has also appeared in TV shows, playing Mr. Ramona in Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events and Dr. Sacks in The X-Files.
Nathalie Boltt as Penelope Blossom: Playing Cheryl's mother and serial killer, Penelope Blossom, is Nathalie Boltt. She is known for playing Sarah Livingstone in the 2009 sci-fi District 9, Dr. Helen in the 2017 movie, 24 Hours to Live, and Lind Bellows in the TV series, The Astronauts.
Abby Ross as Midge Klump: Replacing original Midge actor, Emilija Baranac, is Abby Ross. Before ing the Riverdale cast, she starred as Anastasia Colborne in the TV comedy, Seed, Young Emma in Once Upon a Time, and Daisy Faulkner in The Secret Lives of College Freshman.
Shannon Purser as Ethel Muggs: Playing the complex and misunderstood Ethel Muggs is Shannon Purser; she is mainly recognized for playing Barbara "Barb" Holland in Stranger Things, Sierra in Sierra Burgess Is A Loser and Annabelle in Rise.
Daniel Yang as Dilton Doiley: Another actor reing the Riverdale cast is Daniel Yang, who is taking back the role of boy scout, Dilton Doiley from Major Curda. He is known for playing Brian in the TV series, Crawford, and Daniel Stoppard in The Magicians