Over the past few months, The CW has been putting together the main cast for its new series Riverdale, based on the iconic Archie Comics. Casting breakdowns that leaked in November teased that many of the main characters will be drastically altered. Although it was also confirmed that the new Archie will still be a redhead. Over the weekend, the Archie Comics Twitter page released the first photo of K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, showcasing his new redhead look.

Production is currently under way on the pilot episode in Vancouver, with K.J. Apa being joined by Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Cole Sprouse as Jughead and newcomer Camila Mendes as Veronica, in her first major role. Luke Perry also stars as Archie's dad, alongside Ashleigh Murray as Josie of Josie and the Pussycats, and Madelaine Petsch as the villainous Cheryl Blossom. The cast is rounded out by Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle, Casey Cott as Kevin Keller, Daniel Yang as Dilton Doiley, Cody Kearsley as Moose Mason, Marisol Nichols as Mrs. Lodge and Mädchen Amick as Alice Cooper.

All of the main characters are sophomores in high school, with the casting report from November revealing that Archie is "boyishly handsome," but he has bulked up over the summer after working construction with his father Fred. He will be dealing with a slew of new females who are interested in him, while discovering his passion for writing and music, both of which his father and football coach are not too fond of. Archie is also reportedly harboring multiple "dark secrets." Betty Cooper has had a longtime crush on Archie, but she's tired of trying to please everyone, leading her to seek out Veronica Lodge for advice.

Veronica is returning to Riverdale after spending some time in New York, in the aftermath of a scandal involving her father going to prison. She will also try to reinvent herself, along with Betty, with the character described as a "silver-tongued stunner" who is also intelligent, confident and popular. The last main character is Jughead, Archie's former best friend who refuses to bury the hatchet after Archie tried to make amends. Jughead is described as an "emo-heartthrob" who is "angry with a philosophical bent."

Lee Toland Krieger (The Age of Adaline) is directing the pilot episode, which was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Archie Comics' chief creative officer. Greg Berlanti is executive producing alongside Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has also written the screenplays for the Carrie and The Town That Dreaded Sundown remakes, and he also served as a staff writer on Glee. Check out our first look at the new Archie in The CW's Riverdale, and stay tuned for more photos from the set as production continues.