What’s up?
It’s Sussan Mourad here with Clevver News and new rumors are swirling around that Vanessa
Morgan could be leaving Riverdale for a new role after calling out the show’s racial
issues.
In case you missed it, Vanessa called out the writers of Riverdale in a series of tweets
posted after the tragic death of George Floyd.
Vanessa said quote, “I’m not being quiet anymore.
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 sidekick non-dimensional characters to our white leads.
Or only in the ads for diversity but not actually in the show.
It starts with the media.
I’m not being quiet anymore.”
And when someone replied to her saying quote, “imagine they're getting so much more bang
for their buck bc ur part of an lgbt storyline too, double the diversity - DOUBLE UR PAYCHECK
IMO”
Vanessa replied saying quote, “Lmao too bad I’m the only black series regular but
also paid the least.
girl i could go on for days”
And then Vanessa also pledged to no longer play characters who don’t properly represent
the Black community.
She said quote, “To my black fans, I have now made it my purpose to fight for us.
To the six year old me who had no role model that looked like me on TV.
This is for you.
We aren’t your token black non dimensional characters.
This is being black in Hollywood.
I will fight for YOU.”
And all of this led to the Riverdale showrunner, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, issuing a public apology
to Vanessa.
He said quote, “We hear Vanessa.
We love Vanessa.
She’s right.
We’re sorry and we make the same promise to you 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.
Change is happening and will continue to happen.
Riverdale will get bigger, not smaller.
Riverdale will be part of the movement, not outside it.
All of the Riverdale writers made a donation to @BLMLA, but we know where the work must
happen for us.
In the writers’ room.”
And ever since Vanessa spoke out, many fans started to speculate that she was thinking
about leaving the show altogether.
One fan tweeted saying quote “Is @VanessaMorgan leaving Riverdale after all those tweets?
Girl I feel like she should if they don't pay her more, she deserves it.
Best character on the show.
#Riverdale”
Another fan chimed in and said quote, “For people saying Toni is a side character she
is not, her character is written as a regular but they keep using her as a sidekick to Cheryl
and not giving her enough lines but that wasn’t the point...they only use her for diversity
in posters instead of giving her a storyline!!!”
And others are just calling for Riverdale to be cancelled altogether saying things like
“Riverdale bye” and “Cancel the whole show.”
But now, there’s reason to believe Vanessa may actually be leaving the series.
The outlet The Cinema Spot revealed that they have exclusively learned that Vanessa Morgan
is being eyed to play Ryan Wilder on the Batwoman TV show.
The show is on the same network as Riverdale, the CW, and it was announced last month that
Batwoman lead actress Ruby Rose, who played Kate Kane, has decided to leave the show ahead
of its already-announced second season.
Then, a few weeks after the initial announcement, a casting call for a character with the name
“Ryan Wilder” was found on Reddit, which has since been confirmed by showrunner Caroline
Dries.
At the ATX Television Festival she said that they are creating a new character, Ryan Wilder,
instead of recasting Kate.
She said quote, “I’m inventing a whole new character.
In her past, she was inspired by Batwoman.
She is going to take on the mantle and is completely maybe not the right person at the
time to be doing it.
That’s what makes it fun.”
And The Cinema Spot reported that if Vanessa gets the role of Ryan Wilder, her Riverdale
character Toni Topaz will likely not be returning for the next season.
And if you’re a true Riverdale fan, you know that the show is expected to take a time
jump heading into season 5 and there have already been some cast members who’ve announced
they won’t be coming back.
So only time will tell if Vanessa will be back on Riverdale, but we would absolutely
love to see her as Batwoman!
And fans agree.
They are taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on this potential casting news.
One person tweeted saying quote, “HOLY SHIT she will finally get the screentime she deserves
omg”
Another fan said quote, “I'm on board for this if true.
@VanessaMorgan.”
And this person shared this GIF writing quote, “Me last week: They can’t replace Kate.
They just need to recast her.
*Vanessa Morgan enters the chat*”
And for more on what Vanessa said when she called out Riverdale, click right over here
for another Clevver News video.
And please share your thoughts on all this down in the comments below.
Would you like to see Vanessa as Batwoman?
And would you miss Toni Topaz if she left Riverdale?
I’m your host, Sussan Mourad, bye guys!