K.J. Apa
Actor
So, how exactly do you make a splash when launching a live-action teen drama on TV, especially one inspired by the classic, family-friendly Archie comics? Well, one bold move is to unleash a steamy, shirtless teaser featuring the show’s breakout star—and that’s precisely what happened with KJ Apa. Back in November 2015, a sizzling promotional clip dropped online, spotlighting then-19-year-old KJ Apa, whose rugged, chiseled look was a far cry from the cheerful, slightly awkward Archie readers had grown up with. It was clear from the get-go: this wasn’t your parents’ Archie. The series, "Riverdale," which premiered on The CW in 2017, promised a grittier, more intense take on the beloved characters, throwing a murder mystery into the mix and turning the quiet town of Riverdale upside down.
Of course, KJ Apa wasn’t starting from zero. By the time he landed the role, he was already something of a known name back home in New Zealand. Born Keneti James Apa in Auckland, he comes from a rich cultural background blending New Zealand and Māori heritage. His acting journey began early—he joined the cast of "Shortland Street," the country’s longest-running and most-watched prime-time soap, during his teenage years. That experience helped lay the foundation for what was to come.
In the summer of 2015, things really started heating up—his agent brought him out to Hollywood, where auditions led to that life-changing call: he’d been cast as Archie Andrews. But KJ Apa isn’t just an actor; he’s also a talented musician. Believe it or not, he recorded a solo guitar album when he was just 14 years old, showing off a creative side that goes beyond the screen.
Before "Riverdale" took off, KJ spent the summer of 2016 filming the indie drama "Alter Rock" (2017) in Boston, working under director Andrzej Bartkowiak. The film, loosely inspired by the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombings, tells the story of a young woman who finds love with a Muslim immigrant during a trip to Nantucket—timely, emotional, and powerful stuff. Around the same time, he also appeared in the heartwarming blockbuster "A Dog's Purpose" (2017), based on W. Bruce Cameron’s novel and starring Dennis Quaid and Britt Robertson.
But perhaps one of his most impactful roles came in 2018, when KJ Apa co-starred alongside Amandla Stenberg in "The Hate U Give," a critically acclaimed film tackling race relations through the eyes of a teenage girl caught between two worlds. It was another sign that KJ Apa wasn’t just a pretty face—he was choosing projects with depth, substance, and social relevance. All the while, fans kept coming back to one thing: KJ Apa had redefined Archie, and in doing so, had made a lasting mark on pop culture.