The CW's Riverdale Casts Casey Cott As Popular Gay Character Kevin Keller

Newcomer Casey Cott — the younger brother of Corey Cott, who starred on Broadway in Disney's Newsies — has landed the role of Kevin Keller in The CW's Riverdale.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Chief Creative Officer of Archie Comics Publications, made the official announcement. He tweeted, "And last but certainly not least--KEVIN KELLER (@CaseyCott) joins the ever-expanding Riverdale universe!!"

Keller is the first openly gay character in the history of Archie Comics. He made his first appearance in Veronica #202 (September 2010). His debut was so popular that the comic sold out and Archie Comics did something it had never done before: issued a reprint. In February 2012, Keller received his own ongoing title, but it came to an end in 2014.

Keller was also the target of an assassination attempt in Life with Archie: The Married Life, but Archie took the bullet for him and died. In that series, Keller was married to Clay Walker and was elected to the United States Senate.

Yesterday was a day of firsts for me. First table read, first hair coloring, first chest wax. #Riverdale

— Casey Cott (@CaseyCott) March 12, 2016

The live-action series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale's wholesome facade. The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge, and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie's rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones.

Riverdale is expected to debut on The CW next fall.