Is Riverdale's Cheryl Blossom Bisexual?

CBR

By Kristy Puchko

Published Jul 23, 2017

Breakout Riverdale star Madelaine Petsch hints at an exploration of Cheryl Blossom's sexuality in the second season of the hit CW drama.

In season one of CW's steamy take on Archie comics, Riverdale, Cheryl Blossom went from bubbly redhead to twincesty gothic princesss, longing for her dead brother Jason, and attempting to shut down her rivals with a cutting glance, a withering one-liner, or a hip-shimmying dance battle. But in the series' hotly anticipated season two, actress Madelaine Petsch promises we'll see a slightly softer side to Cheryl Blossom. And, she hinted that the polarizing bad girl might come out as bisexual.

In a roundtable conversation held post-panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Petsch was eager to tease an exciting new chapter in Cheryl's life. After her icy suicide attempt in the season one finale, we saw that she set the Blossom family manor Thornhill on fire. From there, Cheryl has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of the gothic home full of dark secrets.

"I think she had like a crazy shift in the way she was thinking," Petsch reflected. "She's no longer at rock bottom. She skyrocketed the moment she burnt the house down. That's the way she took control back. She's like, 'I'm done. I don't care. I'm not going to put up with this anymore. She burnt the house down to say to her mom, 'You're in trouble. You better watch out. Dad's not here to protect you anymore. You can't abuse me anymore.'"

Then flashing a broad smile, Petsch turned to happier thoughts for Cheryl, saying, "She also has a love interest this season. Just saying." Considering the show's been devoted to inclusive casting and broader representation, CBR followed-up asking if it's a boy love interest. Petsch grinned, "Not necessarily. We will see." With that the interview ended.

Now, some might suggest Petsch was simply being cheeky. However, the show's Comic-Con panel revealed bisexual character Toni Topaz. So, bisexual respresentation is not something the show's creators are shying away from. But what do we know of Cheryl's sexuality? Season one hinted she was maybe a bit too close to her twin brother, Jason. And she made out with a random male football player during Archie's ill-fated house party. So viewers could assume Cheryl is straight. But with a 22-episode season coming up, Riverdale could potentially expand on Cheryl's sexual awakening, possibly through a relationship with a girl, possibly even another River Vixen. For now, we're left to speculate and ship. (#CherVal)

Returning October 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW, Riverdale stars K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy and Casey Cott as Kevin Keller.