The horror adaptation from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Greg Berlanti will bring a zombie apocalypse to Riverdale in Halloween 2027.
Disney+ is bringing the undead to Riverdale with a television adaptation of Afterlife with Archie. The streaming service has officially greenlit a series based on the bestselling Archie Comics title created by writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Francesco Francavilla. The horror series will debut on Disney+ in time for Halloween 2027.
Warner Bros. Television will produce the project, with Aguirre-Sacasa and Greg Berlanti serving among its executive producers. The adaptation reunites several of the creative forces behind The CW’s Riverdale, which concluded its seven-season run in 2023. The new show will transform the usually cheerful town of Riverdale into the center of a terrifying zombie apocalypse.
What Is Afterlife With Archie About?
Afterlife with Archie follows Archie Andrews and his friends as they attempt to survive after a supernatural spell goes horribly wrong. When a spell cast by a certain teenage witch backfires, an army of possessed corpses is unleashed across Riverdale. Archie, Betty, Veronica, and the rest of the gang must fight to stay alive while their friendships, romances, and loyalties are pushed to their limits.
The series will combine horror, humor, and emotional drama as the characters confront the undead and the challenges of surviving their teenage years. “‘Afterlife with Archie’ has always been about more than just zombies — it’s about the friendships, loyalty, and humanity that make Riverdale worth fighting for,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said in a statement. “Roberto, Greg, Sarah, and Jon have such a deep appreciation for these characters, and they’ve built something that’s equal parts thrilling and heartfelt. Fans are going to fall hard for this new version of the gang … and maybe scream a little too.”
Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and Warner Bros. Discovery U.S. Networks, also celebrated the upcoming adaptation. “The world of ‘Archie’ and Riverdale is the gift that keeps on giving,” Dungey said. “To bring Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s incredible story to life with our partners at Berlanti Productions, Archie Comics, and Disney+ is a thrill for all of us at WBTVG.”
Afterlife With Archie Inspired Riverdale and Sabrina
Aguirre-Sacasa described the series as a full-circle project because the original comic helped lay the foundation for the modern television versions of Archie Comics characters.
The Afterlife with Archie comic debuted in 2013. Its darker interpretation of Riverdale preceded both Riverdale and Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which Aguirre-Sacasa also developed for television. “This was the comic book that started it all,” Aguirre-Sacasa said. “Before there was a ‘Riverdale,’ before there was a ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,’ there was ‘Afterlife with Archie,’ which I collaborated on with the best horror artist in the business, Francesco Francavilla.”
Aguirre-Sacasa continued, “Getting to turn ‘Afterlife’ into a TV series for the amazing team at Disney+ with our incredible partners at Berlanti Productions, WB, and, of course, Jon Goldwater and his ‘Archie’ family is truly a full-circle moment — and the ultimate dream project for me. Time to say a prayer for Archie, Betty, Veronica, and the whole gang, ’cause THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING!!!”
Berlanti and Sarah Schechter said the project gives their team an opportunity to return to characters and a fictional world they already know well. “We are so happy to reunite with Roberto on this exciting series that takes us back into the Riverdale world that we so love, and we are thankful to Disney+ and WBTV for giving us the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite characters in a unique and thrilling way,” they said.
The producers also thanked Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater for allowing them to continue telling stories within the Archie universe.
Who Is Producing the Disney+ Series?
Afterlife with Archie will be executive produced by Aguirre-Sacasa and Jimmy Gibbons through Muckle Man Productions, which has an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.
Berlanti, Schechter, and Leigh London Redman will executive-produce through Berlanti Productions and its overall deal with the studio. Goldwater will executive produce through Archie Comics Studios.
Goldwater said he has wanted to see the comic adapted into live-action since its original release. “I am absolutely thrilled to see the iconic ‘Afterlife with Archie’ come to life; this is a series that has meant so much to me since the first comic issue came out years ago,” Goldwater said. “This was a series always destined for live-action, and finally getting the chance to make that happen is like a dream come true.”
He also described reuniting with Aguirre-Sacasa, Berlanti, and Schechter as a homecoming. “I’m so grateful to everyone at Disney+ for giving this series a chance and cannot wait for the zombie invasion to take over TV screens worldwide,” Goldwater added.
Casting information, an episode count, and an exact premiere date have not been announced.
Afterlife with Archie will premiere on Disney+ in time for Halloween 2027.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
