The CW casts Lucy Hale in the lead role of Katy Keene. The upcoming Riverdale spinoff is based on the famous Archie Comics’ character, known as “America’s Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions.” In pop culture, Katy Keene first emerged in 1945, just months before the end of World War II.
At 29-years-old, Hale has appeared in many feature films and popular television shows over the past 10 years. In 2008, the American actress landed her first big screen role in the sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, joining original cast members Blake Lively, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn. Hale later appeared on television series like The O.C., How I Met Your Mother, and Selena Gomez’s Disney series The Wizards of Waverly Place. She also had main roles in NBC’s Bionic Woman and The CW’s Privileged, but transformed into a notable pop culture figure for her portrayal of Aria Montgomery on ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars. In 2018, Hale starred in The CW’s short-lived comedy-drama Life Sentence, which was officially cancelled last May. Now, Hale returns to The CW for a new drama.
Per Deadline, The CW has cast Hale in the titular role of Katy Keene. Set in New York, the series will follow four Archie Comics characters as they pursue goals in various entertainment industries. Katy Keene will be produced by Riverdale creator Robert Aguirre-Sacasa, in collaboration with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. TV. As a character, Hale’s Keene is being described as “bold, big-hearted and independent.” In addition, she’s reportedly a personal shopper who aspires to be a fashion designer.
As Hale’s television legacy continues to grow, she’s simultaneously established a promising career in feature films. In 2018, Hale starred in Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare, a supernatural horror film that was produced for only $3.5 million, but made over $95 million at the box office. Hale also co-starred in The Unicorn, a 2018 comedy directed by Robert Schwartzman - the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola. In 2020, Hale will co-star in Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island, alongside Michael Peña and Maggie Q. The film reunites the actress with Truth or Dare director Jeff Wadlow, and the supernatural horror film will reportedly be a re-imagining of the original ABC series, which aired from 1977 to 1984.
Though Lucy Hale isn’t necessarily an A-List star, she has the talent - and a large enough following - to carry both a TV series and Blumhouse film at the same time. By the end of 2020, Hale may indeed reach the next level of stardom, especially if Katy Keene becomes a hit show.
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Source: Deadline
