Riverdale has been transformed since the first episode, and the central characters have changed with it. The great life struggle of choosing between music and football is long over. Whether through Hiram Lodge’s vengeful actions in town or Percival Pickens as Riverdale’s new villain, different antagonists have brought out different things in the show’s main characters. For most of the main characters, their actions or reactions were mostly a direct result of what was happening in the city during the season’s Big Bad. But not everyone got the same chance to shine, and unfortunately some old characters have been pushed to the sidelines or completely ignored as the series continued and headed for the seven-year time jump.
Being left behind isn’t the show’s only problem with its central characters, though. Many of them also deal with repetitive storylines or disappear from the main plot altogether. Occasionally, Riverdale it seemed more like multiple shows than one cohesive one, given how separate the main characters tended to be at any given time. With one season left to wrap things up, it’s uncertain how long it will take to reach the final steps of character and story development, given the plot twist that takes everyone back to the 1950s.
10/10 canines
As a member of the Southside Serpents, Fangs was a side character early on in his introduction. In season three, he got a little more involved when he started his romance with Kevin while they were both brainwashed by the ranch. As the show progressed, Fangs’ involvement mostly kept him connected to Kevin or the Serpents, getting a little more involved given his relationship with Toni and their son, Anthony. But Fangs doesn’t really have its own storyline. Instead, he tends to pop up where extras are needed, but lacks a sense of urgency in the plot.
9/10 Reggie
When Reggie started dating Veronica, he got more time on the show, whether he was working at the speakeasy or getting more involved in Veronica’s wishes to take down Hiram. But when Veronica and Archie got back together, Reggie faded into the background. As a result, Reggie’s storylines about his relationship with his abusive father didn’t get the screen time to deserve the growth the show aims to suggest. Meanwhile, Reggie’s plots nearly come to a halt when they are unrelated to Veronica.
8/10 Kevin
Although Kevin was a central character in the first season, his importance to the series slowly waned as the show progressed. In the end Kevin was only helpful when he was brainwashed by some form of cult or another individual, such as the Farm of Percival Pickens. Kevin’s romantic storylines have faded into the background, as have his dreams for Broadway. At various times over several seasons, Kevin is barely in episodes with only a few lines or is missing altogether. He hardly ever plays a part in the show’s most essential mysteries or dangerous elements.
7/10 Tabitha
Although Tabitha was only introduced in season five, she has proven to be very helpful. Tabitha’s only plan was to get a part in Pop’s Diner. Still, she soon found herself helping Betty with the Lonely Highway and becoming an essential group member as she discovered her powers as a time-traveling guardian angel. Tabitha’s romance with Jughead isn’t all she has in store for her; it never has been. Tabitha was never one to be caught in the confines of a romantic relationship and always presented herself as a businesswoman and a close friend of the group.
6/10 tonic
It’s only after the time jump that Toni is involved in more of the central storylines. When Toni was introduced as Southside Serpent in season two, things seemed promising for her as the prominent Serpent who helped Jughead through Southside High School and his initiation into the Serpents. Her romance with Cheryl also became a fan favorite. But for a while, Toni was stuck as Cheryl’s girlfriend without a solid storyline of her own. Toni would come in and out of storylines, but was mainly featured as Cheryl’s girlfriend. Season five changed that, giving Toni more appeal in the Riverdale community with her job at Riverdale High School. Although Toni got together with Fangs and they raised their son Anthony together, Toni has shown she has a strong character with her own company and work ethic.
5/10 Archie
Archie may be the main character, but it took Archie a while to get involved in the show’s central mysteries. He tended to be in the suburbs for the most part, heavily engaged in his constant battle against Hiram Lodge. Archie became a vigilante for Riverdale, single-handedly trying to save the city from its downward spiral. But between its numerous romantic storylines and how often Archie seemed separated from the central mystery until the final episodes of each season, Archie wasn’t usually the most pivotal character. Riverdale Characteristics. While Archie wants the best for his loved ones and the city, Riverdale often Archie spreads too thin while making the mistake of turning him into a nearly unbeatable force.
4/10 jughead
As the show’s narrator, Jughead has a different perspective on the world than his friends. For the most part, Jughead is directly connected to the central mysteries, either through research with Betty or through his ability to create portals to other dimensions, such as Rivervale. Jughead has struggled with both his parents, the Serpents, and even with himself. Jughead’s dark and light sides have been explored through his various relationships and storylines. His willingness to die if it means defeating Percival Pickens shows his selflessness, especially for a character whose role is often not directly in the firing line.
3/10 Veronica
In some ways, Veronica struggles with immense storyline issues. Her character is far too closely associated with her male scene partners, be it romantic ties to Archie and Reggie or her familial conflict with Hiram. The time jump even teased Veronica’s significant change as a married. Before graduating from high school, Veronica started multiple businesses, including a speakeasy and rum company. Although her battle against Hiram took too long, Veronica proved to be constantly working hard in her pursuit of success.
2/10 Cheryl
Cheryl Blossom started Riverdale mourn Jason’s death. A loss she could never quite handle, Cheryl made up for it in ways that proved how crazy Riverdale was willing, like when Cheryl kept Jason’s corpse in her house. Cheryl has laid out some of the show’s most outlandish dialogue and plotlines as if it were just something on a to-do list. While Cheryl’s character may occasionally struggle with being so separated from the core four storylines, like making her a roommate in season five, season six solved the problem, giving her more urgency in the main plot.
1/10 Betty
Always in the midst of central mysteries, Betty Cooper is… Riverdale’s main character. Most of her time throughout the season is spent solving a puzzle or plan. She refuses to give up, even when the pursuit can become time-consuming or psychologically too much. Betty gets the chance to explore the reasons for her dark side and her fear of that potential in the wake of discovering that her father was the Black Hood. Knowing her connection to serial killers and how her father prepared Betty to become one also played a part in Betty’s fear of dealing with the Trash Bag Killer. Betty grew out of the friendly girl next door trope, shows her three-dimensional personality equally clever with complex layers.