Oliver man lands role in TV series
Cody Kearsley playing role of Moose Mason on “Riverdale”
The town of Oliver has a connection with the most talked-about new show on television.
Cody Kearsley, a graduate of Southern Okanagan Secondary School, plays the small but pivotal role of Moose Mason on “Riverdale,” an updated television version based on the old “Archie” comics.
“It’s a darker tone and there’s a darker back story,” said Kearsley in a phone interview from Vancouver.
“In the first episode, Moose is exploring his own sexuality and hooks up with a guy after the prom. He’s dealing with the issue of being a jock but also being interested in a guy.”
The new Riverdale is far more complex than the Archie comics baby boomers grew up with. In the old days, Archie’s greatest dilemma was often having two dates for the same dance.
On “Riverdale,” Archie has sex with Miss Grundy; Betty and Veronica kiss in hopes of making the cheerleading squad; Hiram Lodge is arrested for embezzlement; and there’s a murder. Think of a cross between “Twin Peaks” and “Glee.”
“I grew up with Archie and it was nostalgic for all of us,” Kearsley said. “The same characters are all there but with some differences, The big one is Miss Grundy is in her 20s. It’s set in the modern day and because of its darker tone, younger people may appreciate it.”
They’re all here — Archie, Reggie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Mr. Weatherbee, and even Josie and the Pussycats, who perform a sexed-up version of “Sugar Sugar” on the show’s second episode.
In the comics, Moose was basically a dumb jock, the best athlete at Riverdale High but the weakest student academically.
Kearsley did some research for his role but didn’t become obsessed. Moose’s intellectual limitations have yet to be explored in the series.
“It was up to each actor to decide what they wanted to do,” he said. “I steered away from the original comics... there’s only so much research you can do. I explored Moose’s jealous side and I used that a bit. He uses bullying as a mask for his insecurity and for his homosexuality.”
“Riverdale,” which was shot in Vancouver and near Hope, committed to two seasons and a minimum of 20 episodes. Reviews have been favourable, presently scoring 87 per cent on the Rotten Tomatoes website.
While most of the cast includes relative newcomers, recognizable faces include KJ Apa (A Dog’s Purpose), Cole Sprouse (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody), and Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210). Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club) will show up later in a guest spot as Archie’s mom.
Kearsley grew up in the South Okanagan and trained in all disciplines of dance with Traci Stevenson Bourne and Cheryl Blumke at the Okanagan Dance Studio. In Grade 11, he transferred for one year to Princess Margaret Secondary School, where he played a lead in “Crazy for You” under the direction of Lori Grant. In his graduating year, he played Danny Zuko in SOSS’s production of “Grease,” directed by Alison Podmorow.
After high school, he moved to Hollywood where he pursued dance and acting. During his time in California he appeared in various stage productions including a version of “Hamlet,” where he played the title role.
“Riverdale” is the highest-profile work thus far in his career. He will have a small speaking role in the upcoming “Power Rangers” movie.
Like Moose, Kearsley also played sports in high school.
“I played volleyball up until Grade 10 and basketball and soccer until about Grade 8 because I was dancing all the time,” he recalls.
“I liked doing musicals in high school. But I was 18 when I really started having a passion for acting. I went to an acting school in L.A. and I used it as an opportunity to get a visa to the States. In the first semester, I fell in love with theatre, the whole acting process.”
Kearsley is optimistic that this is the start of a long career. His goals include returning to the stage and one day he’d like to own a theatre company. With “Riverdale” shooting only six months of the year, he’s pursuing other acting projects during the break in production.
“Riverdale” can be seen Thursdays at 9 p.m. on The CW network as well as Netflix.