Another Riverdale spin-off is coming and it's unlike anything fans are used to seeing in the Archie-verse. Katy Keene is the next comic that's currently in the works to make its TV debut. While many of the details are still not out yet, some hints have already been released on what to expect from the new show.
Here's everything you need to know about Katy Keene...
Will we be getting a full season of Katy Keene?
Katy Keene's midseason premiere is less than a month away, but until recently the fate of the show was up in the air. Now we know, though, that we will be getting a full first season of the Riverdale spin-off because The CW just announced that it is ordering 13 additional episodes of the show.
It's unclear what exactly this means, but either way, it guarantees that we are going to get more of Josie and Katy's NYC adventures than originally expected.
An early pickup like this is rare, but according to TV Line, the CW made the decision to order these extra episodes for Katy Keene to get ahead of schedule.
"These early orders for next season give our production teams a head start in plotting out story arcs and a jump on hiring staff, and this also provides us with a strong foundation of established, fan-favorite CW shows to build on for next season,” said the president of the network, Mark Pedowitz.
Of course, this also means there's more of an opportunity for Riverdale/Katy Keene crossovers, so I'm all for it!
Who will be coming to visit Josie in NYC?
News of a possible Riverdale/Katy Keene crossover have been swirling ever since the spin-off has been announced and now it looks like we'll definitely be seeing some familiar faces in NYC as Josie starts her new professional music career.
Katy Keene's boyfriend, K.O. is a boxer, and executive producer Michael Grassi revealed at Tribeca TV Festival that viewers, "will definitely see someone from Riverdale and K.O. face off in the ring,” according to Deadline. With Riverdale's big boxing storyline this past season, there's a good chance this means that we'll be seeing Archie back in the ring on Katy Keene.
Meanwhile, the Pussycats will likely be reuniting once again, and series creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said to expect some surprises when they come back.
"We definitely will be seeing the Pussycats, but probably not in the way you expect," he said.
Of course, just because Josie might be in the big city, doesn't mean she can escape her mom.
"We love Robin Givens [who plays Sierra McCoy]," said Grassi. "She will come visit for sure."
Is there a trailer?
The first trailer Katy Keene is finally here and it features Katy as she figures out what she wants in her life along with her friends Pepper and Jorge. Josie is also prominently featured as she moves to NYC and basically shows the whole city what she's made of as soon as she gets there. That gets her a record deal and a hot new beau that we'll definitely be seeing throughout the season.
Check out the trailer below:
Will there be a Katy Keene and Riverdale crossover?
Even though Katy Keene didn't have it's own panel at San Diego Comic-Con, some huge news about the show came out during Riverdale's big panel at Hall H. While fans have been holding out hope for a Chilling Adventures of Sabrina/Riverdale crossover, it looks like Katy Keene will be the first to do cross paths with the original Archie comics TV adaptation.
"I will say that most likely, we will be doing a crossover - even though it breaks the space-time continuum, we probably will be doing a Katy Keene/Riverdale crossover," series creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa revealed.
It's already been confirmed that Katy Keene will take place several years after Riverdale, so it will be interesting to see which characters we'll see in the future and which couples are probably still together long after graduation.
How will Katy Keene be different than Riverdale?
Not only is Katy Keene set in a totally new place, but it's gonna be very different from anything you're used to seeing in Riverdale.
"You know, we have the same creators as Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but they have much different worlds. Katy Keene is much brighter. It’s about four friends optimistically trying to make their dreams come true in New York City. The way we shot the pilot, it looks like old-school New York. It’s beautiful," Lucy Hale told W Magazine. "You feel really optimistic and inspired, so tonally it’s a lot different from Riverdale. But I think lovers of shows like those will still gravitate to our show, because it leaves you feeling good and ready to go out and chase whatever it is you’re chasing. I’ve never quite done a show like this. There’s a musical element to it, and lots of amazing clothes."
When will Katy Keene air?
Fans that are super excited to see Katy Keene and her group of friends take NYC by storm will have to wait a little while longer than usual. While Riverdale will be returning for its fourth season in fall, Katy Keene won't air until Winter/Spring 2020 during the midseason. Chances are that Katy Keene will take over Riverdale's time slot (Wednesdays at 8/7c) when it goes on hiatus or will take over Nancy Drew's spot (Wednesdays at 9/8c) if its season ends earlier than Riverdale. Either way, it'll definitely be worth the wait!
Is it going to series?
While Katy Keene was announced months ago, we had to wait to find out if the show was actually going to be picked up to series by The CW, AKA would we actually ever see the show on our TV? Well, get excited, because it has officially been announced that Katy Keene was picked up to series and we will be enjoying the adventures of Katy, Josie, and all of their friends very very soon.
"One door closes, another opens," the show's creator, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa wrote on Instagram. "So thrilled that Katy Keene is coming to the @thecw with this beautiful cast! So grateful to @thatthingofwhen and @maggiekiley.director for all the love they poured into this show! NYC, here we come!!!"
Stars Lucy Hale and Ashleigh Murray also voiced their excitement about the news. "KATY KEENE is officially picked up to series and I’m actually In tears," Lucy wrote. "So excited about this next chapter. This show is all about hope and pursuing dreams and the friendships and relationships that bond it all. Actually can’t wait for you all to see this. Thank you."
"To all the dreams I loved before and can finally post about...✍️," Ashleigh said. "#KatyKeene is going to series. Breathless and thankful ❤️❤️"
Of course, this means we will officially have to say goodbye to Josie on Riverdale, but something tells me she's just glad that she got out of that town alive.
How will Josie transition from Riverdale to NYC?
On this week’s episode of Riverdale, we said goodbye to Josie, once and for all, but we won’t have to wait too long to see her again. If Katy Keene gets picked up, she’ll be back on our television screens very soon, this time in NYC.
To set up her departure from the show, Josie got a visit from her dad. The two had lunch and Josie informed him that she would like to join him on tour. While Josie’s dad was hesitant at first, after seeing her perform a gorgeous rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” he decided to let her join the tour right away.
Of course, Josie has to tell Archie about her new plans, and end things with him before she goes. She explains why they have to break up saying, “your life is here in Riverdale and mine is somewhere out there, who knows where? Maybe New York.” Yup, Josie’s future is most definitely in New York, because that’s where Katy Keene is set! So, there you have it, Josie is ready to say goodbye to Riverdale and move on to a new adventure show.
Are there any details on what is going to happen?
Shooting has officially started for the Riverdale spin-off and there's already a huge spoiler that is floating around thanks to new photos from the set.
It looks like Lucy Hale's character is going to get proposed to by her boyfriend Ko Kelly, played by Zane Holtz. While details on whether she accepts or not are still completely under wraps, there are some photos from the big engagement scene that was shot in New York City.
Who will be starring in Katy Keene?
In addition to Ashleigh Murray, who will be making the big move to NYC as Josie for Katy Keene, there's another familiar face that will be joining her.
Lucy Hale, who played Aria on Pretty Little Liars, is joining as Katy Keene. According to The CW, "bold, big hearted and independent, Katy Keene is a twenty-something New Yorker who aspires to be a fashion designer. When she’s not working as a personal shopper at a luxury department store, she’s navigating friendship and dating in the big city."
"Well I’m slightly freaking out ! Thank you @archiecomics / @writerras / @thecw / @warnerbrostv / @thatthingofwhen for trusting me to be your KATY KEENE. my heart is bursting," she wrote on Instagram.
Some new faces are also joining the cast including Camille Hyde who will play Alexandra Cabot, "a powerful, savvy and chic New York socialite" working at her father's company, according to Deadline. Alexandra is "both respected and feared" as well as high competitive with her twin brother, Alexander.
Alexander Cabot will be played by Lucien Laviscount. Alexander is very different from his sister and the rest of his wealthy family. "He'd rather take the subway and listen to vinyl," as well as DJ at the local dive bar. Alexander hopes to reboot his father's dormant record label, which is how he meets Josie. Will Alexander be the new love in Josie's life? It sure seems like it, but as we know, nothing comes between Josie and her music.
Camille and Lucien join the constantly growing cast of Katy Keene, which also includes Julie Chan and Johnny Beuchamp. Julia is joining the show as Pepper, "a New York City 'It Girl' who is at the epicenter of all things trendy. As the funny, magnetic life of the party, she dreams of opening her very own version of Andy Warhol’s Factory. But behind all the outrageous noise, no one quite knows where she gets all her money — or if she even has any," according to Variety.
Jonny Beauchamp is also joining as Jorge/Ginger Lopez. "By day, Jorge works at his family’s bodega. By night, his drag alter ego Ginger bartends and performs at a local club. Jorge always has aspired to be a Broadway performer, but he’s now looking to take his drag career to the next level."
Is there any way I can be on Katy Keene?
Good news, now's your chance to actually be a part of the big Riverdale spin-off if you live in NYC. They are currently casting some extras to be a part of Katy Keene and they're looking for all kinds of people to fill the streets of NYC. While you might not actually star in the show, it would still be pretty cool to be behind the scenes and possibly meet your favorite stars.
What is Katy Keene about?
Katy Keene follows Katy and her friends living it up in NYC as they try to make their dreams comes true. Katy and her four friends will try to become the next broadway, runway, and music stars in this musical spin-off.
Unfortunately, that's all we know so far, even Ashleigh Murray, who will star as Josie in the new show, is in the dark. "I know as much as anyone else," she told Seventeen. "People send me articles and I'm like, 'Really?!' I just know that Josie will be in her 20s and it's going to shoot in New York, which is really exciting."
Honestly, Josie belongs in New York so we can't wait to see her take on the big city!
Will anyone from Riverdale be moving to Katy Keene?
You're going to see at least one familiar face on Katy Keene because Deadline just announced that Ashleigh Murray will be leaving the small town of Riverdale and heading to New York City to star in the spin off.
Yup, it's time for Josie to have some new adventures. "The truth is, Josie’s been destined for New York from #Riverdale’s pilot episode," wrote Riverdale's creator Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa on Instagram. "So honored and happy we get to pursue Josie’s musical dreams with this lovely lady..."
Katy Keene will follow Katy and her friends' journeys as they try to accomplish their goals in NYC so it makes sense that Josie would join in as she tries to break into the music scene. According to Deadline, the show will be a musical dramedy, meaning Ashleigh will have plenty more opportunities to show off her vocal skills.
Unfortunately, Ashleigh will probably be the only Riverdale High grad in the new show. "Katy Keene takes places years after Riverdale High School," said Mark Pedowitz, the president of The CW. "There are no plans to do anything [regarding a crossover]. Any of the Riverdale characters who come to Katy Keene will be older."
As with Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Roberto will be returning as creator and writer. Riverdale writer Michael Grassi will be moving to Katy Keene as a producer.
When will Katy Keene come out?
The show is currently planned to air on The CW between Fall 2019 and Summer 2020. Since it hasn't officially been picked up yet for a full season, only time will tell if fans will actually watch the show.
Tamara Fuentes is the Entertainment Editor at Seventeen. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram!
Tamara Fuentes
Entertainment Editor
Tamara Fuentes is the current Entertainment Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers TV, movies, books, celebrities, and more. She can often be found in front of a screen fangirling about something new. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she was the entertainment editor over at Seventeen. She is also a member of the Television Critics Association and the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Carolyn Twersky
Associate Editor
Carolyn Twersky is an associate editor for Seventeen covering celebrities, entertainment, politics, trends, and health. On her off time, she's probably watching Ru Paul's Drag Race, traversing NYC for the best donuts, or, most likely, enjoying time in her favorite place in the world: her bed.