Anyone who says that there can’t be cultural moments surrounding scripted television anymore is full of hooey. Just take a look at Netflix’s Stranger Things to know that cultural permeation can absolutely happen in a binge-watching way. And within those cultural moments, there are standout characters like Barb, the (SPOILERS) not-in-it-very-much best friend of our lead teenage girl. People love Barb, and The CW is banking people love her all the way to ratings glory by casting the actress who played Barb in their Archie Comics series, Riverdale.
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that actress Shannon Purser has been cast as the brilliantly named Ethel Muggs, a student at Riverdale High and a character who, in the comics, has a massive crush on Archie’s best friend Jughead (played in the new series by Cole Sprouse). However, the show’s Ethel will “find herself in a romantic relationship with someone very different.” Not sure what that could mean, but we’re open to theories, anyone!
Ms. Muggs will also evidently forge a friendship with Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Betty (Lili Reinhart) following a revenge plot against Archie’s rival and Riverdale’s resident douchebag Reggie. So it sounds like Ethel Muggs will end up being a pretty important character on the show, and the creators are casting an actress who is great and already beloved, but got the short end of the narrative stick in Stranger Things. (Every story needs at least one sacrificial lamb…poor Barb.)
What do you think about Shannon Purser being part of the Riverdale gang? Isn’t Ethel Muggs the greatest name in the history of names? Will you watch the show in Barb solidarity? Let us know all in the comments below!
Have a look at some sweet Stranger Things concept art!
Image: Netflix/Archie Comics
