‘Riverdale’ Stars Hope to Return for Zombie Horror Series ‘Afterlife With Archie’

Could Archie Andrews return to Riverdale for a zombie apocalypse? Riverdale star KJ Apa is interested in making an appearance in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Afterlife with Archie, the horror series based on the darker side of Archie Comics.

Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla, Afterlife with Archie reimagines the familiar comic book characters in a terrifying supernatural story. Now, with Aguirre-Sacasa bringing the property to Disney+, Apa has expressed interest in joining the new series.

“It’d be cool if we could do some cameos or something,” Apa told Entertainment Weekly. The actor also revealed that he had already brought up the idea with Aguirre-Sacasa, saying, “I asked him!”

“I would think that would be really fun if I could come in for a scene … I don’t know who I’d play, but it’d be fun to do,” Apa added.

What Is Afterlife with Archie About?

First published in 2013, Afterlife with Archie takes the traditionally lighthearted world of Archie Comics in a much darker direction. The story begins when a supernatural spell cast by Sabrina Spellman goes horribly wrong, unleashing an army of the undead upon Riverdale.

Archie and his friends must fight to survive as the zombie outbreak threatens their relationships, friendships, and loyalties. The comic marked a significant departure for the franchise, becoming its first title specifically aimed at an older audience.

The upcoming Disney+ adaptation will bring this horror story to live action, following the success of Riverdale, which transformed the familiar characters into the center of a murder mystery with a distinctly dark, Twin Peaks-inspired atmosphere.

Could KJ Apa Return as Archie Andrews?

Apa played Archie Andrews throughout all seven seasons of Riverdale, which helped establish a darker television universe around the iconic comic book characters.

However, a return as Archie may present a challenge. Afterlife with Archie features the characters as high school students, while Apa is now 29. Depending on how the adaptation approaches its characters, the actor could potentially appear in another role or make a cameo that connects the two series.

The Riverdale universe has already demonstrated that crossovers are possible. Kiernan Shipka, who starred as Sabrina in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, reprised her role in several Riverdale appearances. Her character’s darker interpretation of the teenage witch also helped establish the franchise’s interest in supernatural horror.

Afterlife with Archie Is Moving Forward at Disney+

Although the series is not expected to debut until 2027, the project has already taken a significant step forward. According to Deadline, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, known for directing Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and episodes of Hunters, will direct the pilot.

The series was ordered before the pilot was filmed, and no actors have officially been announced for the project so far. Whether Apa ultimately makes an appearance remains to be seen, but his comments suggest he would welcome the opportunity to return to the world he helped bring to television.

With a zombie apocalypse, supernatural horror, and familiar Archie Comics characters at its center, Afterlife with Archie could deliver one of the franchise’s darkest adaptations yet.

Stay tuned to GoreCulture for more updates on Afterlife with Archie.

Are you looking forward to the Afterlife with Archie series? Would you like to see KJ Apa make a cameo? Let us know in the comments!