The Post-Riverdale Revolution: Where The Cast Is Now And Their Shocking New Projects In 2024

The CW's seven-season run of Riverdale may have officially ended in 2023, but the careers of its core cast members are just heating up. As of December 2025, the actors who brought Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, and Jughead Jones to life have successfully navigated the transition from teen drama stars to serious, sought-after Hollywood talent. The post-show era has already delivered critical acclaim, major film roles, and exciting personal milestones for the cast, proving that the residents of Riverdale are far from finished with the spotlight.

The transition from a long-running, polarizing series like Riverdale to new, diverse projects is a crucial test for any young actor. This article dives deep into the latest, most current updates, highlighting the major film and television roles the cast has secured, the critical praise they've earned, and the personal news that has kept them in the headlines throughout 2024 and heading into 2025. The "Core Four" and their closest supporting cast members are now defining their legacies beyond the neon glow of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe.

The Core Four's Complete Biography and Latest Career Profiles

The main quartet of Riverdale—KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, and Cole Sprouse—have been the subject of intense media scrutiny for years. Now, with the Archie Comics adaptation behind them, their individual professional paths are diverging dramatically. Here is a complete profile of the leading stars, including their latest 2024/2025 career moves.

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• KJ Apa (Archie Andrews)
  • Born: June 17, 1997, in Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Breakout Role: Kane Jenkins on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, followed by Archie Andrews on Riverdale.
  • 2024/2025 Update: Apa is actively moving past his high-school heartthrob image. His new movie, One Fast Move, focuses on the world of motorcycle racing, a significant departure from the musical-infused drama of Riverdale. He has publicly stated that he is "100%" down to play Archie again if the opportunity arises, showing a strong connection to the character.
• Lili Reinhart (Betty Cooper)
  • Born: September 13, 1996, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
  • Breakout Role: Betty Cooper on Riverdale. Her prior notable roles include Hustlers and Chemical Hearts.
  • 2024/2025 Update: Lili Reinhart's first major post-Riverdale project is the series Hal & Harper. She has been vocal about how her experience on the CW show, despite its challenges, prepared her for the rigors of the rest of her acting career.
• Camila Mendes (Veronica Lodge)
  • Born: June 29, 1994, in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
  • Breakout Role: Veronica Lodge on Riverdale. The series marked her first major acting role.
  • 2024/2025 Update: Camila Mendes has been one of the busiest cast members. Her romantic comedy film, Upgraded, was released in February 2024 to positive reception. Furthermore, she has been cast in the highly anticipated live-action film adaptation of Masters of the Universe.
• Cole Sprouse (Jughead Jones)
  • Born: August 4, 1992, in Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy.
  • Breakout Role: Cody Martin on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (alongside twin brother Dylan Sprouse), followed by Jughead Jones on Riverdale.
  • 2024/2025 Update: Sprouse has successfully transitioned into feature films with two major 2024 releases: he starred as 'The Creature' in the horror-comedy Lisa Frankenstein and also appeared in the film adaptation of the young adult novel I Wish You All the Best as the character Thomas.

The Breakout Star: Charles Melton's Critical Acclaim and New Projects

While the "Core Four" were the anchors of Riverdale, Charles Melton, who played Reggie Mantle, has emerged as the most critically acclaimed actor from the cast in the post-show landscape. His performance in a major feature film has completely redefined his career trajectory, elevating him from a teen drama star to a serious dramatic actor.

Melton’s performance in the 2023 Todd Haynes film May December has been universally praised by critics. His portrayal of Joe Yoo, a complex character caught in a scandalous relationship, was described as "critic-wowing" and earned him significant awards buzz, including a Golden Globe nomination. This role has cemented his status as a major breakout star from the Riverdale ensemble.

Following this success, Melton is continuing his momentum with a new romance film project where he is set to star alongside Elizabeth Olsen. This strategic move demonstrates his ability to leverage his newfound critical success into diverse and high-profile roles, proving he is a major force in Hollywood outside of the Archie Comics universe.

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Life After Riverdale: Personal Milestones and Supporting Cast Updates

The supporting cast members, who played fan-favorite characters like Cheryl Blossom, Toni Topaz, and Kevin Keller, have also been making headlines with exciting new career moves and significant personal milestones throughout 2024 and 2025. These actors are crucial entities in the show's topical authority, and their current projects are just as compelling as those of the main cast.

Madelaine Petsch and The Horror Trilogy

Madelaine Petsch, known for her iconic portrayal of the fiery Cheryl Blossom, has quickly transitioned into the horror genre. She is starring in the new trilogy of films for The Strangers, which began its release in 2024. This move allows Petsch to showcase a different side of her acting range, moving from the high-camp drama of a character like Cheryl to the intense suspense of a horror franchise. Her co-star, Froy Gutierrez, has also been featured prominently in the promotional material for this series.

Casey Cott and The New Family Member

One of the freshest and most heartwarming updates from the Riverdale family is the news surrounding Casey Cott, who played Kevin Keller. Cott and his wife, Nichola Basara, became first-time parents in late 2023/early 2024, welcoming a son. This personal milestone has been celebrated by the Riverdale community, with Cott being the latest member of the cast to join the list of parents.

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Vanessa Morgan and Post-Show Bond

Vanessa Morgan, who played Toni Topaz (part of the beloved "Choni" pairing with Cheryl Blossom), is continuing her acting career while also focusing on motherhood. Morgan, who welcomed her son River in 2021, maintains a close bond with her former co-stars, particularly Madelaine Petsch. Their continued friendship highlights the strong, real-life connections that were formed on the set of the long-running series, a fact that resonates deeply with the show's dedicated fanbase.

The Legacy of Luke Perry

While not a recent update, no discussion of the Riverdale cast is complete without acknowledging the late Luke Perry, who played Archie’s father, Fred Andrews. His passing during the show's run was a significant moment for the cast and crew, and his character’s legacy remained a central emotional anchor for the series until its final season. His presence is a permanent entity within the Riverdale universe.

The Future of the Riverdale Universe: Sequel Talk

Despite the series finale wrapping up the main storyline, the possibility of the Riverdale universe continuing remains a hot topic, providing a key LSI keyword for fans. There has been ongoing speculation about a potential sequel or spin-off, specifically a series based on the comic Afterlife With Archie. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the question of whether the original cast members—including the Core Four—would return for a follow-up series is a constant point of discussion among fans and industry insiders. The fact that KJ Apa is "100%" open to reprising his role as Archie Andrews suggests that the door to Riverdale may not be closed forever.

In conclusion, the Riverdale cast has successfully leveraged their long tenure on the CW series into diverse, high-profile projects. From Charles Melton's critical success and Cole Sprouse's horror roles to Camila Mendes' rom-com hits and the happy personal news from Casey Cott, the actors are proving their versatility and staying power in Hollywood. Fans can rest assured that they will continue to see the faces of Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead on screens for years to come, long after the final credits of their iconic show rolled.