Netflix’s Riverdale has another bisexual character, reveals Madelaine Petsch
(YouTube/Madelaine Petsch)
Riverdale now has two bisexual characters.
The dark CW and Netflix show about Archie Comics characters already delighted fans earlier this season when Vanessa Morgan’s Toni Topaz came out as bi.
With the understated line “I’m more into girls anyway,” she joined other Netflix characters to reveal their bisexuality in the past year, including Darryl Whitefeather on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Adam on Jane The Virgin.
(Netflix)
And now, actress Madelaine Petsch has confirmed the popular fan theory that her character, the flawless, enigmatic Cheryl Blossom, is also bi.
In a Q & A on her YouTube channel, Petsch opened up about her character’s feelings for Josie McCoy, who Cheryl appeared to be stalking and manipulating earlier this season.
“Cheryl just wants to have friends,” she said, “and wants to be loved and wants to be surrounded by people, and Josie is the only person who has shown interest in her, as a friend even.
(Netflix)
“She doesn’t understand feelings very well, and I think she’s mucking up a friendship with romantic feelings, because she’s never really felt love before.
She added: “Josie has extended a hand to Cheryl, of friendship, and Cheryl is either misreading it, or doesn’t know how to communicate those feelings back, so she’s become obsessed with the idea of having somebody in her life, because she’s been alone her entire life.”
Petsch then read out another fan’s question which asked directly: “What is Cheryl’s sexuality please settle the debate”.
(Getty)
After taking a cheeky prolonged drink of water, the actress answered the question directly, saying: “She’s still figuring out what her sexuality is.
“Cheryl is definitely interested in both women and men, so I would say she is bisexual. I think you’re going to see a lot more of her figuring out who she is.”
The news may heal wounds felt by those who accused the show of queerbaiting after main characters Betty and Veronica kissed each other but ended up in straight relationships.
(Netflix)
Other fans have also complained about the fact that Jughead – who has been rechristened as a lesbian style icon since the show started – has been depicted as straight, rather than asexual.
Whether showrunners will end up confirming another fan theory about Cheryl, namely that she will end up with Toni, remains to be seen.
(Netflix)
For now, we can only hope.
Watch Madelaine talk about Cheryl’s sexuality here:
