As “Riverdale” wraps up its seven-season run, cast members Lili Reinhart and Camila Mendes are opening up about their experiences on the show and addressing the mixed reactions it garnered from fans on social media. In a candid interview, the actresses discuss the ups and downs of portraying characters in a series that evolved from its initial teen drama roots to embrace increasingly outlandish and surreal storylines.
Reinhart, who played Betty Cooper, shared her thoughts on the show’s online reception. “It’s really not been easy to feel that you’re the butt of a joke,” she admitted. While acknowledging the show’s undeniable absurdity, she emphasized the passion and dedication the cast brought to their roles. The disconnect between the initial tone of the show and its later developments led to misconceptions among viewers, which Reinhart acknowledged as challenging for the cast to navigate.
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The actress also highlighted the show’s self-awareness, noting that creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa found humor in the campiness and absurdity. Despite the criticism and memes, Reinhart and her co-stars took pride in their performances and embraced the unique direction the show took over its run.
Camila Mendes, who portrayed Veronica Lodge, chimed in by comparing “Riverdale” to the wild and fantastical nature of superhero movies. She emphasized that the show’s comic book origins inherently involve elements of fun, fiction, and the bizarre. Mendes pointed out the widespread acceptance of outlandish plots in the superhero genre and noted that “Riverdale” should be approached with a similar mindset.
Cole Sprouse, who played Jughead Jones, weighed in by suggesting that those seeking a more typical teen drama should check out “Euphoria,” indicating that “Riverdale” chose a path of narrative exploration beyond the norm.
As the show concludes its run, Reinhart expressed gratitude for the consistent work the cast enjoyed over the years but acknowledged the rarity of taking on another project as extensive as a 100-plus episode series.
With “Riverdale” set to air its final episode on August 23rd, fans will bid farewell to the town of dark secrets, complex relationships, and over-the-top mysteries that captured their attention for seven seasons. The show’s legacy, a mix of dedicated fandom and internet humor, reflects the complexities of modern television storytelling and the evolving expectations of audiences in the streaming era.