Riverdale Renewed For Season 2, And I Hate To Say I Told You So

The hit teen drama Riverdale renewed for season 2, validating my love for the gritty melodrama. This is the best news we’ve heard all day.

The midseason teen drama Riverdale renewed early by the folks at The CW, and it’s turning out to be the most promising series currently on the network. Although the show didn’t premiere until January, it’s getting consistent and steady ratings in its time slot for its target audience. In fact, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “A CW rep also cites above average streaming,” but is quick to qualify that by saying, “the network is typically mum on the kind of boosts shows get on the CW app and website.”

The pulpy, noir-inspired show also seems to be a critic darling (this critic included). I’ve not been shy about my love for the Greg Berlanti vehicle, and it’s gotten a lot of great buzz from a ton of other outlets, as well. I am completely enamored with its referential style and its willingness to deconstruct the very elements that it’s borrowing. It’s smart, sudsy, and it’s downright dazzling.

The CW had a slow fall season, with shows like Frequency and No Tomorrow not doing very well at all. These shows don’t enjoy nearly as much audience and critical attention as the murder/mystery Riverdale. Moreover, they are unlikely to be renewed by the network.

The CW has imagined the Archie comics in the Riverdale universe. Obviously, the result is as intriguing as it is lucrative. Berlanti invokes a David Lynch into the show. And he completely reimagined the characters as complex, well-rounded beings.

There’s little word as to how many episodes the second season will offer. Worse, we absolutely don’t know anything about premiere dates or guest stars. But this show deserves a sophomore season, and I’m glad the CW wants to invest in it.

You can catch up on episodes with the live stream, and you can read my weekly reviews here every Friday.

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