Archie is the flame-haired all-American boy at the center of Riverdale. But he has far bigger issues than the traditional comic book dilemma of choosing between Betty and Veronica. Riverdale’s Archie is literally fighting for his life, as he falls prey to problems like the dangerous seduction of the mob and having to box a bear.

New Zealand actor Apa’s first major American role was in Riverdale. He has since gone on to star in rom-com The Last Summer and films like The Hate U Give and Songbird. 

In the comic books, Betty is the sweet girl next door to Veronica’s sultry socialite. Riverdale’s Betty doesn’t fit into such a simple box. Yes, she’s blonde and can rock a pink prom dress. But she can also catch a serial killer armed with nothing but her wits and a bobby pin. 

Reinhart’s first major acting role was in a 2011 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. From there, she appeared in The Kings of Summer, Miss Stevens (where she struck up a longtime friendship with Timothée Chalamet), and Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez. In 2022, she led the rom-com Look Both Ways. 

Like Betty, Veronica was initially conceptualized as just a love interest for old Archiekins. But in Riverdale, she proves to be so much more. Depending on the season, Veronica excels as a cheerleader, businesswoman, diamond dealer, crime boss, and celebrity daughter. 

She also pursues a memorable relationship outside of Archie, dating Reggie (May December star Charles Melton) on and off for multiple seasons. 

Mendes has proven herself to be a teen camp queen. In 2022, she stole hearts as the heroine of Do Revenge. She also led the 2020 thriller Dangerous Lies. 

Comic book character Jughead has few interests beyond wearing his crown hat and eating hamburgers. Riverdale’s Jughead, though? He’s a weirdo. And he would proudly tell you as much at a house party. 

Jughead is one of Riverdale’s very best teen investigators, and is only made better by Betty, who may just be more than a friend. 

Sprouse entered Riverdale as the most famous member of the young cast. He and his twin brother, Dylan Sprouse, led the fan-favorite Disney Channel show The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. He also starred in Friends as Ben, the young son of Ross. Since Riverdale’s premiere, Sprouse has popped up in teen dramas Five Feet Apart and Moonshot, along with one very memorable Call Her Daddy podcast episode. 

At the start of Riverdale, Cheryl happily fills the role of complicated mean girl. She’s the queen of the Riverdale Vixens, and wouldn’t have it any other way. But over the course of the series, she becomes an unforgettable romantic lead and gothic heroine of the highest order. 

As is the case for many of her co-stars, Riverdale is Petsch’s first major gig. She’s since starred in horror movie Sightless and holiday rom-com Hotel for the Holidays. 

Toni enters the Riverdale fray in Season 2 as a new friend of Jughead’s. But she eventually grows to become one half of the series’ fan-favorite relationships. We won’t spoil the surprise if you haven’t already watched all of Riverdale. 

Morgan came to the YA noir series from the fantasy epic The Shannara Chronicles and the drama Finding Carter. 

In Riverdale Season 1, macho jock Reggie is played by 13 Reasons Why star Ross Butler. In Season 2, newcomer Charles Melton is recast in the role, with Melton following the character down shocking new roads. The athlete dives headfirst into criminal schemes and even a partnership with a malevolent wizard. 

Melton co-stars in the film May December, the upcoming relationship drama from director Todd Haynes. 

Kevin is marked by tragedy from the very beginning. In the midst of a series premiere tryst with football player Moose (Cody Kearsley), Kevin stumbles upon the corpse of Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines). Things rarely look up for Kevin from there. At least he’ll aways have the Riverdale High musical.

Cott took his talents as Kevin over to Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene for an episode. He also appeared in Sabrina Carpenter’s music video “Why.” 

Meet another Season 2 addition. Fangs joins the cast as a member of the teen Southside Serpents gang. But — like anyone in Riverdale — soon finds himself mixed up in all kinds of romantic hijinks. 

Tanner has been working on-screen since 2011. He’s appeared in other CW series including iZombie, Arrow, and Supernatural. He co-starred in the 2020 dance rom-com Work It. 

Archie’s dad is often seen as the heart of Riverdale, the town. Fred is a wholesome and hardworking man who loves his community and family — including his estranged wife, Mary, played by John Hughes leading lady Molly Ringwald. 

Perry stole hearts in the ’90s as Beverly Hills, 90210 heartthrob Dylan McKay. His tragic death in 2019 changes Riverdale forever. 

Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has often admitted the series is inspired by spooky mind-melter Twin Peaks. Amick makes the connection undeniable. The actor starred in the David Lynch drama as waitress Shelly Johnson. 

In Riverdale, Amick portrays Alice Cooper, Betty’s smiling suburban mom with secrets in spades. Alice is married to Hal Cooper (Lochlyn Munro), a Riverdale father who is more dangerous than he looks. 

The villainy of Veronica’s father, Hiram Lodge, is spoken about long before we meet him in Riverdale Season 2. Consuelos plays the “entrepreneur” and Hermione Lodge’s (Marisol Nichols) husband. 

Consuelos first garnered fame for portraying Mateo Santos on All My Children, where he co-starred with wife Kelly Ripa (who gets her own Riverdale cameo in Season 5). Consuelos has since appeared in Queen of the South and A Walk Among the Tombstones.  

FP is the last of the River-parents on this list. He’s Jughead’s seemingly hardened father, who’s hiding a softer side. 

Like many of his parental figure co-stars, Ulrich came to Riverdale with platinum YA pedigree. He starred in seminal ’90s horror movies Scream as Billy Loomis and The Craft as Chris Hooker.