Disney+ is officially bringing Archie Andrews back to life: the streamer has given a series order to “Afterlife with Archie,” a live-action show based on Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla’s comic book series of the same name, TVLine has learned. “Afterlife with Archie” will premiere around Halloween 2027.
According to Disney+, this new series “turns the all-American town of Riverdale into an apocalyptic, zombie-overrun nightmare — where the only thing scarier than the undead is trying to survive your teenage years. When a supernatural spell from a certain teen-witch backfires, unleashing an army of the possessed dead upon Riverdale, Archie and his friends must fight to stay alive, testing the friendships, romances, and loyalties that have always held them together.”
Aguirre-Sacasa, who served as showrunner of “Riverdale” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” will executive-produce “Afterlife with Archie” alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman (Berlanti Productions); Jon Goldwater (Archie Comics Studios); and Jimmy Gibbons (Muckle Man Productions).
“This was the comic book that started it all,” Aguirre-Sacasa says in a statement. “Before there was a ‘Riverdale,’ before there was a ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,’ there was ‘Afterlife with Archie,’ which I collaborated on with the best horror artist in the business, Francesco Francavilla. Getting to turn ‘Afterlife’ into a TV series for the amazing team at Disney+ … is truly a full-circle moment — and the ultimate dream project for me. Time to say a prayer for Archie, Betty, Veronica and the whole gang, ’cause THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING!!!!”
Who will star in Afterlife With Archie?
Casting for “Afterlife with Archie” was not announced as part of the series order, but given that Archie and his friends are still supposed to be teenagers in this version of Riverdale, it’s safe to assume that no one from The CW’s “Riverdale” or Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” will be returning as their previous characters. (That said, we’re crossing our fingers and toes for cameos from those same actors in new roles. Anything is possible, right?)
“‘Afterlife with Archie’ has always been about more than just zombies — it’s about the friendships, loyalty and humanity that make Riverdale worth fighting for,” says Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis. “Fans are going to fall hard for this new version of the gang … and maybe scream a little too.”
Adds executive producer Jon Goldwater, “This was a series always destined for live-action and finally getting the chance to make that happen is like a dream come true. … I’m so grateful to everyone at Disney+ for giving this series a chance and cannot wait for the zombie invasion to take over TV screens worldwide.”
What are your early feelings on “Afterlife with Archie”? Are you excited to reunite (and hopefully survive) with these old friends? And if not the original actors, do you have any dream casting for this “new version” of the Riverdale gang? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.
