Most Surprising ‘Riverdale’ Guest Stars Over the Years: From Andy Cohen to Kelly Ripa

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock; Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Most Surprising 'Riverdale' Guest Stars Over the Years: From Andy Cohen to Kelly Ripa

Just passing through town. Riverdale has made a name for itself with plenty of wild story lines, chaotic plot twists and surprising A-list guest stars. The CW series, which debuted in 2017, introduced a group of friends who came together to uncover the dark secrets that exist within their town. Based on the iconic Archie Comics, Riverdale took their audience for many unexpected rides over the years. In season 2, the show spiced up the story of Hermione Lodge (Marisol Nichols) running for mayor when Andy Cohen appeared in Riverdale to show his support. "I'm a huge Riverdale fan, and I was on Radio Andy one day having just watched the season one finale, and it hit me, I was like, I need to come to Riverdale. I want this to happen," the Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen host shared with E! News in 2018. "So, I said it on the air, and [executive producer] Greg Berlanti listens to Radio Andy on his way to work. And he emailed me that day, he said it's done. It was pretty easy." At the time, Camila Mendes teased the backstory between her mother and Cohen. "Andy and Hermione have a history," the Do Revenge star, who plays Veronica, added. "They have a friendship. The story is that Andy once reached out to Hermione to be on his show Real Housewives of New York City, and she turned him down. But out of that they became friends, and when he found out she was running for mayor of Riverdale, he was like, 'All right, I'm gonna go support her.'" Later that year, KJ Apa admitted that he didn't initially recognize Cohen when they crossed paths on set. "The first time I met you was at craft [services]. In New Zealand, they don't play [WWHL] so I wasn't familiar with who you were," the actor, who portrays Archie, said on WWHL in 2018. "And I just remember, you were just sticking around at crafty, just eating for a long time." As Riverdale continued to find onscreen success, Mark Consuelos got the opportunity to work with wife Kelly Ripa. During season 3, the soap actress played the role of Hiram Lodge's surprise mistress. “[Riverdale creator] Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] called me and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got a question to ask you. Do you think she’d want to do it?’ And I said, ‘You know, yeah. Give her a call!’ They spoke and they figured it out,” Consuelos exclusively told Us Weekly in 2019 about how the collaboration was brought to life. “Roberto’s awesome, man. No one knows this world better than him. He just made it happen. I definitely did not ask for him to do that. I think he thought it would be so much fun.” Scroll down for more memorable guest stars over the years:

Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock; Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Most Surprising 'Riverdale' Guest Stars Over the Years: From Andy Cohen to Kelly Ripa

Just passing through town. Riverdale has made a name for itself with plenty of wild story lines, chaotic plot twists and surprising A-list guest stars. The CW series, which debuted in 2017, introduced a group of friends who came together to uncover the dark secrets that exist within their town. Based on the iconic Archie Comics, Riverdale took their audience for many unexpected rides over the years. In season 2, the show spiced up the story of Hermione Lodge (Marisol Nichols) running for mayor when Andy Cohen appeared in Riverdale to show his support. "I'm a huge Riverdale fan, and I was on Radio Andy one day having just watched the season one finale, and it hit me, I was like, I need to come to Riverdale. I want this to happen," the Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen host shared with E! News in 2018. "So, I said it on the air, and [executive producer] Greg Berlanti listens to Radio Andy on his way to work. And he emailed me that day, he said it's done. It was pretty easy." At the time, Camila Mendes teased the backstory between her mother and Cohen. "Andy and Hermione have a history," the Do Revenge star, who plays Veronica, added. "They have a friendship. The story is that Andy once reached out to Hermione to be on his show Real Housewives of New York City, and she turned him down. But out of that they became friends, and when he found out she was running for mayor of Riverdale, he was like, 'All right, I'm gonna go support her.'" Later that year, KJ Apa admitted that he didn't initially recognize Cohen when they crossed paths on set. "The first time I met you was at craft [services]. In New Zealand, they don't play [WWHL] so I wasn't familiar with who you were," the actor, who portrays Archie, said on WWHL in 2018. "And I just remember, you were just sticking around at crafty, just eating for a long time." As Riverdale continued to find onscreen success, Mark Consuelos got the opportunity to work with wife Kelly Ripa. During season 3, the soap actress played the role of Hiram Lodge's surprise mistress. “[Riverdale creator] Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] called me and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got a question to ask you. Do you think she’d want to do it?’ And I said, ‘You know, yeah. Give her a call!’ They spoke and they figured it out,” Consuelos exclusively told Us Weekly in 2019 about how the collaboration was brought to life. “Roberto’s awesome, man. No one knows this world better than him. He just made it happen. I definitely did not ask for him to do that. I think he thought it would be so much fun.” Scroll down for more memorable guest stars over the years:

Credit: Katie Yu/The CW

Andy Cohen

The Bravo executive producer had a cameo in season 2 when he arrived in Riverdale to endorse long-time friend Hermione for mayor. Veronica's mother later went on to become a fictional cast member on The Real Housewives of New York City.

Credit: Jack Rowand/The CW

Kelly Ripa

Fans were in for a surprise when the talk show host took on the role of Hiram's alleged mistress Mrs. Mulwray. Off screen, Ripa and Consuelos have been married since 1996 and share three children together.  

Credit: Jack Rowand/The CW

Tony Todd

The horror icon had a spooky appearance in a season 2 episode of the hit CW show. During his cameo, Todd played a character named Farmer McGinty who gave Jughead (Cole Sprouse) a ride to Greendale. Things took a turn, however, when he accused the high school student of being a sinner and left him and Archie at a cafe.

Credit: Shane Harvey/The CW

Chad Michael Murray

The One Tree Hill alum left a lasting impression with his performance as cult leader Edgar Evernever in season 3.

Credit: Katie Yu/The CW

Anthony Michael Hall

The Massachusetts native, who rose to stardom for his role as Brian in John Hughes' The Breakfast Club, made a cameo as a teacher in a season 3 episode inspired by the film.

Credit: Robert Falconer/The CW

Shannen Doherty

Following Luke Perry's passing in 2019, Doherty honored her friend and former Beverly Hills, 90210 costar with a tribute on his show. In the season 4 premiere, the Charmed alum played the woman who was there when Fred Andrews died. Her character was stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire when Fred pulled over to help her. Archie's father ultimately passed away when he jumped in front of a speeding car to save her.

Credit: The CW

Michael Consuelos

Viewers had to do a double take when Mark's real-life son played the younger version of Hiram in a season 3 flashback episode. Michael went on to share the screen with his father in a season 5 origin episode where he portrayed young Hiram and Mark took on the role of Hiram's father, Javier Luna.