Katy Keene (TV series)


Katy Keene is an American musical comedy-drama television series developed by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Michael Grassi. It is based on the Archie Comics character of the same name. It chronicles the origins and struggles of four aspiring artists trying to attain successful careers on Broadway, on the runway, and in the recording studio. Katy Keene is a spin-off of 'Riverdale', and takes place five years after the events of the first four seasons. The series is produced by Berlanti Productions, in association with Archie Comics, CBS Television Studios, and Warner Bros. Television.
Lucy Hale stars as Katy Keene, an aspiring fashion designer trying to navigate her way in New York City. Ashleigh Murray, Camille Hyde, Jonny Beauchamp, Julia Chan, Lucien Laviscount, Zane Holtz, and Katherine LaNasa also star, with Murray reprising her role as Josie McCoy from Riverdale. In January 2019, the series received a pilot order from The CW, to be considered for a series order in the 2019–20 television season. The series is filmed in New York City. The show was picked up to series in May 2019. The series premiered on The CW on February 6, 2020, and concluded on May 14, 2020. In July 2020, the series was canceled after one season.

Premise

The series follows the professional and romantic lives of four Archie Comics characters, including fashion legend-to-be Katy Keene and singer-songwriter Josie McCoy, five years after the events of Riverdale, as they chase their dreams in New York City. The series infuses music into the plotlines and follow the origins, trials, and tribulations of four struggling artists who are desperate to make it in the spotlight.

Cast and characters

Main

Production

Development

In August 2018, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa revealed that another spin-off was in the works at The CW. He said that the potential spin-off would be "very different from Riverdale" and that it would be produced "in development cycle." On January 23, 2019, The CW issued an official pilot order for the series that will " the lives and loves of four iconic Archie Comics characters — including fashion legend-to-be Katy Keene — as they chase their twenty-something dreams in New York City. This musical dramedy chronicles the origins and struggles of four aspiring artists trying to make it on Broadway, on the runway and in the recording studio." On May 7, 2019, The CW ordered the show to series. On January 7, 2020, The CW ordered thirteen more scripts for the series. On July 2, 2020, The CW canceled the series after one season. However, the series is being shopped to other outlets.

Casting

On February 4, 2019, it was announced that Ashleigh Murray, who stars in Riverdale, had been cast in a lead role in the spinoff, exiting Riverdale. On February 21, 2019, Jonny Beauchamp and Julia Chan joined the cast of the series as Jorge Lopez and Pepper Smith, respectively. A few days later, on February 26, 2019, Camille Hyde and Lucien Laviscount joined the cast as brother and sister duo, Alexandra and Alexander Cabot. Finally, on March 11, 2019, Lucy Hale was cast in the series' lead and titular role.

Filming

The series is filmed in New York City.

Connection to ''Riverdale''

On August 4, 2019, Michael Grassi announced that there was going to be a crossover between Riverdale and Katy Keene in the future. The crossover episode aired on February 5, 2020, as a part of Riverdale, and introduced Katy for the first time.
Katy Keene crosses over with Riverdale in the sixth episode when Robin Givens reprises her role as Sierra McCoy from Riverdale. Four episodes later, Casey Cott reprises his role as Kevin Keller in episode ten. In the last episode of the first season, Mark Consuelos reprises his role as Hiram Lodge.

Music

Musical performances are featured throughout the series, a blend of cover versions and originals. Songs performed in episodes are released as digital singles after broadcast by WaterTower Music.
Following the end of the season, the label will released a digital compilation for season 1 songs. Simliar to Riverdale, the series includes musical episodes with its own soundtrack also released through WaterTower. The first of these,, was released on March 20, 2020.

Release

Marketing

On May 16, 2019, The CW released the first official trailer for the series. The series' extended trailer was released in August 2019.

International broadcast

The series was acquired for the UK by the BBC in July 2020 for its on-demand service BBC iPlayer

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 90% based on 22 reviews, with an average rating of 6.67/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Katy Keene definitely has style to spare, but its greatest strength is its warm, joyous tone that sparkles in a sea of gritty YA TV." On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 71 out of 100 based on 8 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Ratings