'Riverdale' Creator Apologizes to Vanessa Morgan for Failing Black Characters

Amy Mackelden
·2 min read
Photo credit: Rachel Murray - Getty Images
Photo credit: Rachel Murray - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

  • Actress Vanessa Morgan, who plays Toni Topaz on Riverdale, called out the show for not giving Black characters as much screen time as "the white leads."

  • Riverdale's creator, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, has issued an apology to Morgan.

  • He wrote on Twitter, "We will do better to honor her and the character she plays. As well as all of our actors and characters of color."

Earlier this week, Riverdale's Vanessa Morgan called out the hit CW show for sidelining Black characters.

She wrote on Twitter, "Tired of how Black people are portrayed in Media, tired of us being portrayed as thugs, dangerous or angry scary people. Tired of us also being used as side kick non dimensional characters to our white leads. Or only used in the ads for diversity but not actually in the show."

In response to Morgan, the creator of Riverdale, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, wrote, "We hear Vanessa. We love Vanessa. She's right. We're sorry and we make the same promise that we did to her. We will do better to honor her and the character she plays. As well as all of our actors and characters of color."

He continued, "CHANGE is happening and will continue to happen. Riverdale will get bigger, not smaller. Riverdale will be part of the movement, not outside it."

Finally, Aguirre-Sacasa revealed, "All of the Riverdale writers made a donation to @BLMLA, but we know where the work must happen for us. In the writers' room."

Prior to the creator's post, Morgan told fans, "My role on Riverdale has nothing to do with my fellow castmates/friends. They don't write the show. So no need to attack them, they don't call the shots & I know they have my back."

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