A moody Twin Peaks-inspired re-imagining of the characters found in Archie Comics, Riverdale didn't seem like a sure bet when it premiered on The CW in 2017. But, surprisingly enough, the teen drama has become one of the most popular shows on television, elevating the profiles of all of its major stars, including KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, and Cole Sprouse. In a cast filled with up-and-coming young stars and established talents alike, you might be wondering why you recognize the Riverdale cast, and what they've got lined up in the future. If that's the case, particularly with Riverdale's fifth season premiering on January 20th, we're here to help. Here's where you've seen the cast of Riverdale before.
KJ Apa (Archie Andrews)
As Archie Andrews, a high school football player who explores the darkness lurking in his idyllic small-town, KJ Apa found his star-making role in The CW's hit series, Riverdale. Prior to this leading role, Apa was a main cast member in the primetime soap, Shortland Street. He was also seen in episodes of The Cul de Sac. Additionally, the same year Riverdale premiered, the actor starred in A Dog's Purpose. Following the show's enormous popularity, Apa played a prominent supporting role in The Hate U Give, and he starred in The Last Summer, I Still Believe, Dead Reckoning, and, most recently, last month's pandemic-themed thriller, Songbird.
Lili Reinhart (Betty Cooper)
In the role of Betty Cooper, a smart student with a long-standing crush on Archie, Lili Reinhart also became a star on Riverdale. Outside of this series, the actress is also well-known for her supporting turn in Hustlers, and her starring part in Amazon Prime's Chemical Hearts, which she also produced. Additionally, she appeared on Fox's Surviving Jack, as well as episodes of Law & Order: SVU and Scientastic! She can also be heard in The Simpsons. Reinhart's other film credits include The Kings of Summer, Miss Stevens, Forever's End, Galveston, The Good Neighbor, Not Waving But Drowning, Lilith, and a cameo in 2019's Charlie's Angels reboot.
Outside of acting, Lili Reinhart released her first book, Swimming Lessons: Poems, in September 2020.
Camila Mendes (Veronica Lodge)
Playing the part of Veronica Lodge, a wealthy New York City socialite who moves to Riverdale, Camila Mendes also found fame thanks to Riverdale. Outside of this performance, Mendes starred in Netflix's Dangerous Lies. She also played a prominent supporting part in Hulu's Palm Springs, and can be seen in The New Romantic, Coyote Lake, and The Perfect Date. Meanwhile, Mendes also did voice work for The Simpsons and Day by Day, and she can be seen in Dear Class of 2020, and Celebrity Subsitute.
Outside of these acting roles, Camila Mendes can also be seen in the music videos for Maggie Rogers' "Give a Little" and The Chainsmokers' "Side Effects." Next, Mendes will star in Netflix's Strangers —which is expected to be a loose remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train — opposite Maya Hawke.
Cole Sprouse (Jughead Jones)
As Jughead Jones, Archie's best friend despite being a social outcast, Cole Sprouse regained his fame through his notable work on Riverdale. Prior to this part, Sprouse was most notably one of the stars behind Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, along with its spin-off series, The Suite Life on Deck, and The Suite Life Movie, alongside his twin brother, Dylan. Cole and Dylan Sprouse also shared a lead role in Big Daddy. Additionally, the former child actor can be seen in The Master of Disguise, The Astronaut's Wife, Just 4 Kicks, The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things, The Prince and the Pauper, and Adventures in Appletown, as well as heard in Eight Crazy Nights and Kung Fu Magoo.
Additionally, on television, Cole Sprouse had a main part in Grace Under Fire, along with a recurring role in Friends. More recently, Sprouse starred in Five Feet Apart. He can also be heard in the podcast series, Borrasca. Next, he's expected to star in Undercover.
Marisol Nichols (Hermione Lodge)
In the role of Hermoine Lodge, Veronica's mother, Marisol Nichols plays a maternal part in The CW's teen drama. Before Riverdale, Nichols notably appeared in 24. The actress can also be seen in episodes of Teen Wolf, GCB, Cold Case, Blind Justice, Resurrection Blvd., Boy Meets World, Law & Order: SVU, The Gates, Friends, Charmed, and NCIS: Los Angeles. Additionally, on the big screen, Nichols appeared in Vegas Vacation, Scream 2, Can't Hardly Wait, Big Momma's House 2, Delta Farce, Felon, Bowfinger, and The Princess and the Marine.
Most recently, Marisol Nichols was seen in the TV movie, Holly & Ivy, and heard in episodes of The Loud House. Next, she'll star in Spiral.
Madelaine Petsch (Cheryl Blossom)
Playing the part of Cheryl Blossom, Archie's wealthy and manipulative classmate, Madealine Petsch has a prominent role on Riverdale. The same year she joined this popular show, Petsch also starred in F the Prom. Her other film credits include The Hive, The Curse of Sleeping Beauty, Polaroid, and Sightless, where she also served as a co-producer. She can also be seen in an episode of Instant Mom and heard in episodes of The Simpsons and Day by Day, as well as the podcast series, The Shadow Diaries. Outside of acting, Petsch has an active YouTube presence. Next, she's expected to star in The Express, and the short film, Nightwalkers.
Ashleigh Murray (Josie McCoy)
As Josie McCoy, Archie's classmate and the lead singer of Josie and the Pussycats, Ashleigh Murray appears in the first four seasons of Riverdale. Last year, she joined the main cast of The CW's short-lived Katy Keene, where she reprised her role as Josie. Outside of these two shows, Murray can be seen in episodes of Younger, Alex Inc., and The Following. Additionally, her film credits include Deidra & Laney Rob a Train, and last year's Valley Girl.
Madchen Amick (Alice Cooper)
In the role of Alice Cooper, Betty's newspaper editor mom, Madchen Amick can be seen regularly on Riverdale. Most notably, Amick is known for playing Shelly Johnson in Twin Peaks, as well as Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, and Twin Peaks: The Return. She was also a series regular on Central Park West, Witches of East End, and Freddie. Her other notable television credits include Gilmore Girls, ER, Fantasy Island, Mad Men, Longmire, American Horror Story: Hotel, Love, Damages, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Dawson's Creek, Joey, Drop Dead Diva, and Pysch.
Additionally, on the big screen, Madchen Amick can be seen in Sleepwalkers, Dream Lover, Trapped in Paradise, Scenes of the Crime, and Priest.
Mark Consuelos (Hiram Lodge)
Playing the part of Hiram Lodge, Veronica's father, Mark Consuelos has a dramatic supporting role in Riverdale. Before his time here, Consuelos was best known for his long-standing role on ABC's soap opera, All My Children. His other notable television credits include Pitch, Queen of the South, The Night Shift, Alpha House, American Horror Story: Asylum, Missing, Age of Love, Broad City, Ugly Betty, The New Normal, and I Hate My Teenage Daughter. He also played Hiram Lodge in an episode of Katy Keene in 2020. Additionally, Consuelos' film credits include Cop Out, A Walk Among the Tombstones, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, The Great Raid, Wedding Daze, All We Had, and, most recently, Nine Lives.
Casey Cott (Kevin Keller)
In the role of Kevin Keller, an openly gay high school student who's the son of the local sheriff, Casey Cott became a main cast member in Riverdale starting in Season 2. Outside of this part, Cott can be seen in episodes of Instinct and Law & Order: SVU. He also reprised his role as Kevin in an episode of Katy Keene. Additionally, Cott appeared in the music videos for Sabrina Carpenter's "Why" and Mina Tobias' "Shoes." He also had his first film role in 2019's All the Little Things We Kill.
Skeet Ulrich (F.P. Jones)
As F.P. Jones, Jughead's estranged father and the leader of the Southside Serpents, Skeet Ulrich plays a threatening part in The CW's Riverdale. That said, much like Marisol Nichols, Ulrich has opted to leave the show after his five season commitment. Prior to this role, Ulrich was best known for his performances in Scream and The Craft. He also played parts in Jericho, the Law & Order franchise, and the short-lived ABC drama, Miracles. His other notable film credits include As Good As It Gets, The Newton Boys, Chill Factor, Nobody's Baby, The Magic of Ordinary Days, Last Dance, Touch, Boys, Ride with the Devil, Austin Found, Armored, and For Sale By Owner.
Outside of these performances, Skeet Ulrich can be seen in CSI: NY, Unforgettable, I Am Elizabeth Smart, and Into the West. He can also be heard in several episodes of Robot Chicken. Next, Ulrich stars in Bios and Blood.
Charles Melton (Reggie Mantle)
In the role of Reggie Mantle, Archie's long-time friend and rival, Charles Melton filled in for 13 Reasons Why's Ross Butler and he has been one of the main cast members of Riverdale since Season 3. Outside of this performance, Melton starred in 2019's The Sun Is Also a Star. His other film credits include Bad Boys for Life and The Thinning: New World Order. Additionally, Melton can be seen in episodes of Glee and American Horror Story: Hotel. He also appeared in the music videos for JoJo's "Save My Soul" and Ariana Grande's "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored."
Next, Charles Melton will be appearing in the upcoming film, Swing. He also plays himself in Mainstream.
Vanessa Morgan (Toni Topaz)
Playing the part of Toni Topaz, Jughead's Southside Serpents friend and Cheryl's partner, Vanessa Morgan became a main cast member starting in Season 3. Outside of Riverdale, Morgan is also known for her roles in MTV's Finding Carter, Family Channel's The Latest Buzz, and the Disney Channel/Teletoon original movie, My Babysitter's a Vampire, as well as the TV series of the same name. Additionally, the actress was part of the main cast for The Shannara Chronicles Season 2. She can also be seen in A Diva's Christmas Carol, Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars, Frankie & Alice, Pimp, Geek Charming, and Guilty at 17, as well as episodes of A.N.T. Farm, Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Amazing Race Canada, Some Assembly Required, and Lip Sync Battle.
Erinn Westbrook (Tabitha Tate)
In the role of Tabitha Tate, Pop Tate's ambitious and entrepreneurial granddaughter, Erinn Westbrook joins the main cast of Riverdale starting in Season 5. Prior to her upcoming work in this series, Westbrook was known for Fox's Glee, MTV's Awkward., and Netflix's Insatiable. She can also be seen in episodes of The Resident, Jane the Virgin, Mr. Box Office, Movers & Changers, Dog with a Blog, Supernatural, Bones, NCIS, Constantine, Legacies, See Dad Run, and Switched at Birth. Meanwhile, on the big screen, Westbrook can be seen in In a World ... and 72 Hours: A Brooklyn Love Story? Next, Westbrook stars in 7th & Union.
Who's your favorite Riverdale cast member? Let us know in the comments! Also, you can stream the first four seasons of Riverdale on Netflix here.
