<P> Riverdale is an American teen drama television series based on the characters of Archie Comics . The series was adapted for The CW by Archie Comics' chief creative officer Roberto Aguirre - Sacasa, and is produced by Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, in association with Berlanti Productions and Archie Comics . Originally conceived as a feature film adaptation for Warner Bros. Pictures, the idea was re-imagined as a television series for Fox . In 2015, development on the project moved to The CW, where the series was ordered for a pilot . Filming takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia . </P> <P> The series features an ensemble cast based on the characters of Archie Comics, with KJ Apa in the role of Archie Andrews; Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, and Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, the series' narrator . The cast also features Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy and Casey Cott as Kevin Keller . Other characters in the series include the parents of the main characters: Luke Perry as Fred Andrews, Mädchen Amick as Alice Cooper, Marisol Nichols and Mark Consuelos as Hermione and Hiram Lodge, and Skeet Ulrich as FP Jones . </P> <P> The series debuted on January 26, 2017 to positive reviews . A 22 - episode second season premiered on October 11, 2017, and concluded on May 16, 2018 . On April 2, 2018, The CW renewed the series for a third season, which is set to premiere October 10, 2018 . </P> <P> The series follows Archie Andrews' life in the small town of Riverdale and explores the darkness hidden behind its seemingly perfect image . </P>

When did the first episode of riverdale air