Minor SPOILERS for Riverdale premiere!
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One of the most anticipated characters in tonight’s premiere of Riverdale has been Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). Since Forsynthe Pendleton “Jughead” Jones III first debuted in Archie Comics‘ inagural issue, the snarky, laid-back character has become a fan-favorite.
With the recent Jughead solo series bringing him back into the zeitgeist, many have wondered how his character will translate into the show – and which elements of his comic book history he will bring with him.
As the pilot revealed, Jughead’s wise-cracking nature is carried over to Riverdale, and is put to a unique use in the form of the series’ narrator. Sprouse studied the film noir genre and Twilight Zone episodes for the task, despite feeling unqalified for what he calls a “Morgan Freeman narration.”
But as Sprouse pointed out, this device places Jughead in a unique place in the show’s murder mystery. As to whether or not Jughead is a reliable narrator, Sprouse believes that “Jughead is not a reliable anything.”
Perhaps one of the most prominent fixtures in the Riverdale world often associated with Jughead is Pop’s Diner, which Sprouse says is his favorite set for the show. According to Sprouse, the diner helps inject some of the lightness associated with Jughead’s comic book persona into Riverdale.
“Pop’s is not just Jughead’s haunt. Pop’s has really kinda become the main set. It’s a comfortable place and it’s well lit, and in contrast with some of the darker tones and the darker sets we have on this, to have this well-lit, familiar diner location is a nice way to bring the audience back.”
Another element of the comics that fans are curiuous to see on the show is the dynamic between Jughead and Ethel Muggs (Stranger Things‘ Shannon Purser). In the comics, ‘Big’ Ethel frequently pursues Jughead’s affection, and he ultimately forms a friendship with her over his love of food.
While Cole already shared his thoughts on Jughead’s sexuality, he teased some developments of the Jughead/Ethel dynamic on the show.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with her on set. They’re definitely going to be exploring that angle between Jughead and Ethel. But no, I actually haven’t gotten to work with [Shannon] yet.”
And while there are no current plans to reveal the origins of Jughead’s crown hat – something that has been explored in the comics – Sprouse assures that there are other parts of Jughead’s life that fans will get to see on the show.
With regards to Jughead’s family, and a certain furry friend, Sprouse says fans might not have to wait too long for their debut on the show. “Oh yeah, definitely. In terms of Hot Dog, I’m not going to say too much. But yeah, definitely.”
Riverdale airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
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