After criticism over the show’s treatment of black characters, including by current cast member Vanessa Morgan, Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa promises the teen drama will improve and grow going forward. Morgan portrays Toni Topaz in Riverdale, joining the CW hit as part of its second season in a recurring capacity before being added as a regular for season 3. In the comics, on which Riverdale is based, Toni made her debut in 2012. Notable for being a bisexual black female, Toni’s inclusion was seen partly as a way to draw in a new generation of fans.
After the character made the jump to live-action, there were hopes that Toni’s backstory would be expanded upon. Those hopes haven’t quite panned out, as Toni has remained underdeveloped in the eyes of audiences and analysts. Morgan recently revealed that she feels the same way about how her character is depicted. In a series of social media posts, the actress said that she was tired of being considered only for diversity’s sake and primarily featured as a sidekick to white protagonists. Morgan also noted that she was the least paid series regular on Riverdale. Viewers backed her up, noting that Toni’s trajectory follows a pattern of sidelining black characters.
Now, Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has responded with promises that there will be improvements and growth in how the popular CW program treats its characters of color. Specifically mentioning his love for Morgan, and noting that she’s correct in her criticisms, Aguirre-Sacasa made assurances that the world of Riverdale will change going forward. His full post can be read below.
Riverdale isn’t the only show to be dealing with a bit of a reckoning. Wading into the controversy surrounding her Glee co-stars, Samantha Marie-Ware and Lea Michele, Amber Riley made comments comparable to Morgan’s on how black characters are frequently treated as less than their white equivalents.
The familiar complaint has even made it into a script for Supergirl. Back when the show was on CBS, during its first year, there was a funny scene which featured Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart) taking one unimpressed look at the young people gathered around her desk. Grant then proceeds to make an astute observation. “All four of you standing there, doing nothing,” Kara’s former boss begins. “You look like the attractive yet non-threatening racially diverse cast of a CW show.” The quip is memorable, helped by Flockhart’s impeccable delivery, albeit it points to a larger truth: shows, particularly teen dramas, may want diversity simply because it looks good. It looks inclusive, but a closer examination proves that’s not the case.
Teen dramas, such as Riverdale, could take a look at other series in other genres. True inclusion has never been an issue for How to Get Away with Murder. Network comedies, such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place have shown how to push for diversity without making it the central goal. Preferential treatment for white characters is a recurring issue, though it’s hardly insurmountable. Riverdale can, and hopefully will, do better.
