‘Riverdale’ Unveils First Official Trailer Featuring Familiar Archie Comics Characters in Dark Adaptation for The CW; K.J. Apa Shows Off Toned Abs as Sexy Archie

‘Riverdale’ recently unveiled its first official trailer featuring familiar Archie comic book characters in the upcoming dark television adaptation for The CW. K.J. Apa debuts his Archie Andrews as he runs around town shirtless.

According to Comingsoon.net, The CW recently released the first-ever official trailer for the upcoming teen drama television series based on the iconic characters from the original Archie comic books. The series is written by Archie Comics' chief creative officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and executive produced by Greg Berlanti, best known for his contributions to The CW’s “Arrowverse” series. It is also executive produced by Sarah Schecter and Jon Goldwater.

The new series will a darker and more subversive adaptation of the original wholesome Archie comic book series that gained popularity in the 1990s. The cast includes KJ Apa as Archie Andrews, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle, Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy, Casey Cott as Kevin Keller, Mädchen Amick as Alice Cooper, Marisol Nichols as Hermione Lodge, and Luke Perry as Fred Andrews.

In the new trailer, Apa shows off his lean physique as the sexier version of his comic book counterpart as he runs around town shirtless. Mendes, who plays the wealthy Veronica, parades around in a slinky black bathing suit. It also showed footage of schoolyard brawls, cash hidden in duffel bags, and teacher-student affairs.

According to i09.com, the series will revolve around a murder mystery involving the death of their popular classmate Jason Blossom in a town full of secrets.

An excerpt from the press release for ‘Riverdale’ reads, “The live-action series offers a bold, compelling take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge, and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie’s rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones.”

‘Riverdale’ is an upcoming teen drama television series scheduled to premiere on The CW on January 26, 2017. It is produced by Berlanti Productions, CBS Television Studios, and Warner Bros. Television.