During our roundtable interview at the 2017 WonderCon, The CW’s Riverdale executive producers revealed there will be one more death this season. Robert Aguirre-Sacasa teased, “There may be one more trip to Dr. Curdle, the morgue doctor from episode two.” And executive producer Sarah Schechter took it one step further, adding, “No one is safe in Riverdale.”
Both Aguirre-Sacasa and Schechter also confirmed fans of the dramatic series based on the Archie Comics will learn the identity of Jason Blossom’s murderer before the end of the first season. “We promised that at Comic Con before the show had even launched. We really meant it. I think we want to reward fans. I’m a huge Twin Peaks fan and I think there are lessons to be learned there. Obviously, that’s a different show but I remember getting to the end of that season on Twin Peaks and being like, ‘But who killed her?!’ And so, we wanted to give that closure so now we can start a new chapter with the characters that now everyone loves as much as we do,” said Schechter.
Asked if there’s a particular character fans have latched onto who, because of fan interest, might get a little more air time in season two, Aguirre-Sacasa replied, “I think everyone has different favorites. I think everyone responded to Jughead in a huge, huge way. And it’s weird because in the pilot Jughead has the smallest role – he only has one scene – and it was Greg Berlanti’s instinct to in the second episode really integrate Jughead quickly. Greg said he’s going to be a fan favorite, and he was right. I think people really, really like that actor, Cole [Sprouse], in the role. They like that Jughead is somewhat of an outsider and he narrates the show and is our way into the show. To me, that’s been the biggest thing. I think also everyone loves Betty [Lili Reinhart] and Veronica [Camila Mendes] and the fact that they’re friends and that that’s a real friendship.”
Schechter added, “I think what’s great about a strong ensemble is that there are so many points of entry. There’s someone for everyone to relate to, whether you’re a parent or a child, a teenager. Everyone’s been a teenager so you can relate to the kids and can also relate to the struggles of the parents who are still behaving like teenagers in many ways.”
Aguirre-Sacasa believes Jughead will continue the role of the narrator in season two. “I think so. I love it. I think people really, really love it,” said Aguirre-Sacasa. “I think Jughead will always be our chronicler of the tales of Riverdale.”
Given that season one involved a season-long mystery, can fans expect season two to follow that same structure? “We’re kind of talking about that right now and deciding that right now. We had a mini room with the writers and then we start back up in April. This season it really paid off and ties everyone into one big story. We’re doing the same thing. We’re going to have a genre element – a mystery/crime element, perhaps,” offered Aguirre-Sacasa. “It probably won’t be exactly like the Jason Blossom so it doesn’t feel like we’re repeating ourselves. But there will be a central big story.”
Sarah Schechter said there are lots of different dynamics still to explore. “I think that’s what’s fun about it. That’s what’s fun about having a deep bench of talent. I think there’s more to do between Skeet [Ulrich] and Luke [Perry]. I want to see more of Kevin’s world.”
“Like Josie [Ashleigh Murray], great character, want to see more of her,” added Aguirre-Sacasa.
“You get the sense that Josie and Cheryl [Madelaine Petsch] are good friends, but it’s like, ‘What’s going on there?’ I think that’s the fun. It’s like an endless sort of mix and match,” explained Schechter.
Aguirre-Sacasa also promised more music in the upcoming season one episodes. “Everyone loves it, right? I love the music stuff and that’s been such a huge part of Archie from the beginning. Yeah, I love it. I think we’re going to definitely continue doing it and feature the Pussycats and Archie singing. And in the rest of season one there are still two or three great performances to come.”
