A blossoming television universe is in the works, and although it is based on a comic series, it is not of the superhero type. The Archieverse (ACU) or Riverdale universe, has a new spinoff, but this time the city where it takes place is actually on the map. Katy Keene, the series, takes place in New York City and follows Katy Keene, the character, as she welcomes her new roommate, Josie McCoy to the hustle and flow of the city that never sleeps. The series will take place approximately five years after the event of lighthouse series Riverdale. 

Ashleigh Murray will reprise her role as Josie, the aspiring musician on her way to stardom, while Lucy Hale will take on the titular role of Katy Keene. Hale is no stranger to young adult drama, having recently starred as Aria Montgomery for seven seasons on Pretty Little Liars, but this show is being described as a musical dramedy. The official logline reads:

Keene’s world is populated with kindred-spirit starving artists, including mysterious socialite Pepper Smith and Broadway-bound performer Jorge Lopez – and his drag queen alter ego, Ginger. While their climb to the top is rife with obstacles, this found family will stop at nothing to see their names in lights.

Other characters of note include Katy’s boyfriend, hopeful boxer KO Kelly and Alexander Cabot, a record label CEO who serendipitously meets Josie and just might give her the chance to make it big. The cast is packed with television veterans like Julia Chan (Saving Hope) as Pepper, Jonny Beauchamp (Penny Dreadful) as Jorge/Ginger, Zane Holtz (From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series) as KO, and Lucien Laviscount (Snatch) as Alexander. 

The pilot was filmed before the series was picked up, but considering Riverdale’s success on native television, the CW Network put in an official order for a full first season. While all three Archieverse shows are produced by Warner Bros. Studios, in the past some stories have had trouble finding a home on the network. The first Riverdale spinoff, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, signed on to Netflix when they were offered a two season commitment. Since then, Chilling Adventures has been renewed for an additional two seasons. 

No premiere date for the series has been set yet, but it is thought to be a midseason replacement for season four of Riverdale. Season four of Riverdale is set to premiere Wednesday October 9, 2019. Other shows on The CW’s midseason slate include In the Dark and the final season of The 100. 

Watch the first full-length trailer below.