Meredith has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Meredith may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

The actress touched on Archie's future at the EW and PEOPLE Upfronts Party on Monday

Riverdale season 2 will go 'darker and deeper,' teases Camila Mendes

Riverdale type TV Show network The CW

Milkshakes aside, Riverdale is a pretty bleak town, and season 2 is going to take things to an even darker place.

EW caught up with star Camila Mendes — who plays Veronica Lodge on the CW show — at the Entertainment Weekly & PEOPLE Upfronts Party on Monday to ask about that shocking season finale and the impact it will have on the characters, particularly Archie (K.J. Apa).

“It’s going to unpack so many things in terms of the relationships for season 2 because Archie’s going to be going through this really traumatic experience and Veronica’s going to have to be there to help with that burden,” Mendes shared.

Though Archie’s had an easier time of it in season 1 compared to best friend Jughead (Cole Sprouse), facing the possibility of losing a parent is going to take the character to murkier places. “I like that there’ll be a new darkness to Archie,” says Mendes. “I think it’s going to add a lot of edge to his character and some depth.”

But will Riverdale fans be ready for this edgier Archie?

“With things like Twitter, we can touch base and see what they like and what they don’t like,” says Mendes. “So I think going into season 2 we really know what people are interested in. Now that we’ve put it out there in the world, we can expand on it and go darker and deeper.”

Season 1 of Riverdale will be available on Netflix this week.