The "Riverdale" cast is one of the best arguments that may lead to the return of teen programming to network television. (Photo : Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown)
The "Riverdale" cast is riding high after the success of its first few episodes. Starring K.J. Apa as the titular character, it has become the first big success for the CW in a television season where "Frequency" and "No Tomorrow" failed to catch on. The show, which is an adaptation of the popular "Archie" comics described as a cross between "Twin Peaks" and "Pretty Little Liars," is taking advantage of the impending end of the last teenage-focused dramas of the late '00s, "The Vampire Diaries" and "Pretty Little Liars." But does this mean that the network will be returning to more teen-oriented programming?
While it does not look that way for now, a lot of viewers do remember that there was a time when The CW was known mainly for its teen dramas. This was partly due to the success of "7th Heaven," "90210," "Gilmore Girls," "Gossip Girl," "One Tree Hill" and "Veronica Mars." For now, however, there is a reluctance among the "Riverdale" cast members to label it as such. In an interview with Collider, Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead, says it is "inappropriate" to call it that way as there are a lot of adult narratives present in the story.
In the meantime, The CW will be getting at least one more TV series based in the "Archie" universe. This was after one of the network's mother companies, Warner Bros. TV, bought the exclusive development rights for all the properties in the stable of Archie Comics.This deal goes beyond the stories that are concerned with Archie, Vronica, Betty, Jughead and Kevin as it includes Katy Keene (known as "America's Queen of Pin-ups and Fashions" and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (which fuels rumors of a reboot).
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the agreement between Archie Comics and Warner Brothers Televisions is just like the studio's deal with DC Comics, which has now resulted in four hit shows for The CW in the form of "The Flash," "Arrow," "Supergirl" and "Legends of Tomorrow."
"Riverdale" airs every Thursday, 9 pm on the CW. Watch the teaser to "Riverdale" season 1 episode 4 in the video below.
Will "Riverdale" lead to an increase in teen-focused programming in the CW and other networks? Will the success of the show make K.J. Apa, Cole Sprouse, Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart household names like previous teen stars? Yibada will be posting more about it in the next few weeks.
