KJ Apa Lands Archie Andrews Role in US

Eighteen-year-old New Zealand-born KJ Apa, best known for his Shortland Street role as Kane Jenkins, has been cast as Archie Andrews in US television network series Riverdale.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Riverdale had difficulty casting its lead, and it took a massive four-month talent search to finally find the right leading man. Also set for the cast is Luke Perry as Archie’s dad, Fred Andrews, and Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones.

The pilot follows the main crew of Archie, Betty, Veronica and their friends as they explore the surrealistic twists of small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. Set in the fictional town of Riverdale, New York, the drama will focus on the love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper and rich socialite Veronica Lodge.

Archie is described as an intense, conflicted high-school sophomore. After getting pumped up over the summer working construction, he is now juggling the interest of several girls and trying to balance his passion for writing and performing music against the wishes of his father and his football coach. Josie, for her part, is a snooty and ambitious girl who is the lead singer for popular band Josie and the Pussycats. She has zero interest in recording any songs written by Archie.

A former King’s College pupil, Apa also stars in Lasse Hallström’s A Dog’s Purpose, based on the bestselling book of the same name, alongside Dennis Quaid. The film is set for release in January 2017.

Original article by Bryn Elise Sandberg, The Hollywood Reporter, February 24, 2016.