The story of RIVERDALE begins the morning of July 4 as twins Cheryl and Jason Blossom drive out to Sweetwater River for an early morning boat ride. “Are you scared, Jason?” Cheryl asks (in a move likely to hint at more secrets to be revealed at a later date). Jason shakes his head and the pair head out. The the time we see the Blossoms, Cheryl is found soaking wet on the riverbank and Jason’s body is not found when they drag the river. Jason’s death is ruled an accident, but it’s later revealed there was nothing accidental about it.
Before we get to that, however, it’s clear that a lot of people in town don’t view Jason’s death as a tragedy. Some people, in fact, are very happy that he’s gone. We get to know a lot of the characters of RIVERDALE in the pilot as this murder mystery continues to serve as a through-line for the show. Some of the characters are less connected to Jason than others, but most of them are drawn in to the story, all while hiding their own secrets.
Related: Watch an extended preview for RIVERDALE
RIVERDALE won’t be your typical team drama. Star Camila Mendes said that “It feels like a comic book, but it’s still real life, and I think we’ve done a great of balancing that, like balancing the darkness with the lightness. And also the idea that it really isn’t just teen drama, it’s not trivial drama that we’re dealing with. We’re dealing with really high stakes stuff, with our relationships with our parents, and balancing that with our relationships with each other. They’re going pretty deep.”
To get to know the characters of RIVERDALE, click the arrows below.
RIVERDALE premieres on on Thursday, January 26 at 9/8c on The CW.