| “ | Okay, that high-toned bitch attitude may have worked on the betas you dated in New York, but you're in Bulldog territory. But please, fight back. You'll only make it harder on yourself. | „ |
| ~ Chuck Clayton to Veronica Lodge. |
| “ | But I am changing. I started going to church with my dad and I'm taking these art classes... I wanna draw comics or kids books... Josie, I really am trying to be better. | „ |
| ~ Chuck to Josie. |
Chuck Clayton is a major antagonist in the first season and a supporting character in the second season of Riverdale. He is a misogynistic football player and an enemy of Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge.
He was portrayed by Jordan Calloway, who also played Khalil Payne in Black Lightning.
Biography[]
When first appearing in a major role, he is a boy that Veronica goes out on a date with. Though initially appearing affable and considerate, it later comes to light that he practices "slut-shaming", and he and his fellows have now made Veronica the latest victim, spreading false rumors about her conduct with Chuck and humiliating her for their own sadistic pleasure. Enraged, Veronica confronts Chuck and demands that he recant his lies, but he arrogantly refuses and mocks her instead.
Veronica and Betty subsequently discover other victims of the slut-shaming ring, locate the "book of conquest" that Chuck and his fellows use to record their activities, and then Veronica and Betty dope up Chuck, chain him to a jacuzzi, and torture him into confessing to the truth of his date with Veronica (which is, of course, more harmless than the lies he had been spreading). After the truth comes out, a disgraced Chuck is suspended.
He later returns, again putting on a charming facade and pretending to be repentant regarding his earlier actions. In fact, he is now vengeful, working with Cheryl Blossom to crash Jughead's birthday party and needle Betty, Veronica, and Archie with various remarks that are personal to each of them (Betty's issues with her sister, Veronica's vindictive acts against him, Archie's affair with his teacher, etc.) Eventually, Jughead gets into a fist-fight with Chuck that his father breaks up before ordering Chuck to leave.
Chuck appears yet again in the second season, now legitimately repentant and eager to make up for his previous bad behavior. He attempts to woo Josie at Pop's Chocklit Shoppe, who initially rebuffs him out of disgust before being gradually won over by his newfound earnestness. Unfortunately for Chuck, he is later framed for harassing her and threatening her, and punished yet again, ironically this time being the one instance where he wasn't guilty.
He is next seen at the wrestling team tryouts, approaching Archie taunting him that he is lucky that he is not on the same weight class, and had that been the case, Chuck would have beat him successfully. The team gathered around Coach Cleats as he blew the whistle asking them to give a round applause to Hiram Lodge because he was not only supporting the team and also wrestled with the coach during his first year of coaching. He informs the team that not everyone would make the team and there'd be cuts every day. So Coach Kleats advised them to make each match count. They then paired off for "up and downs".
On the second day of tryouts, the team focused on the basics of wrestling which involved the fireman's carry. Since it was his signature move back in the day, Coach Cleats asks Hiram to demonstrate towards the team. He calls for Archie as his volunteer. He encourages Archie to come at him before taking him down with one swift fireman's carry. With Archie tackled to the mat, Hiram explains the simplicity of the move. While it is fairly easy to execute, it's also an effective move when the opponent is arrogant by dominating rivals. He emphasizes that demoralizing the opponent is the recipe to victory.
The final day of tryouts came around, and Chuck faced off against Archie despite being in a disadvantage given their weight differences. Chuck was not concerned as he had the advantage, teasing Archie that he is acting like his little sister for complaining. He and Archie went back and forth on the mat for some time. Chuck made several attempts to tackle Archie but ultimately, Archie managed to gain the upper hand and pull the victory over Chuck.
Chuck is last seen signing up for Carrie: The Musical. When he arrived at the first rehearsal, he was under the impression that the rehearsal was at the music room rather than the auditorium. He then had his behind the scenes interview with Jughead, the videographer of the play. Jughead wonders why he chose to attend the school musical. Chuck replies that he is trying change his ways and fix his currently negative reputation. While it may be counter-intuitive to portray the villain of the movie, Chuck said that somebody had to do it, and that he will take his role in acting seriously by putting in the work, showing up on time, and being a member of the team. He hopes that by the end of it, people will start to change their minds about him.
Cheryl interrupts the rehearsal after hearing Ethel and Josie whispering about her thinking that she doesn't qualify to play the role of Carrie White. In order to prove them wrong, she began to sing "Carrie" to prove her point. Her singing removed all doubt as Chuck, Archie, Veronica, Betty, Ethel, Josie, Alice, Toni, Midge, Moose, Jughead, Kevin, and Fangs give Cheryl a round of applause. As Cheryl headed back to her seat, a heavy sand bag fell from above and nearly crushed her.
Later on, Jughead recorded Chuck and Archie singing with Betty and Veronica "Do Me a Favor".
Chuck, Toni, Ethel, Veronica and Betty rehearse the song, "The World According to Chris". Betty spitefully points out that Veronica's performance is the literal embodiment of Chris Hargensen, the character she's portraying. Archie tries to stop them, to no avail. Betty points out the similarities between Veronica and Chris, such as being a spoiled rich girl, coupled with major daddy issues, bad to the bone, being manipulative towards everyone around her, including her boyfriend and best friend.
Due to Penelope Blossom's meddling, she bans Cheryl from portraying Carrie. Kevin informs the crew and that the role of Carrie will go to her understudy, Midge Klump. When they asked why, Kevin reveals that Cheryl's mom is not one to be a stage mom.
On opening night, in the dressing room on opening night, Chuck, Veronica, Betty, Archie, Kevin, Midge, Moose, Alice, Toni and Ethel sang "A Night We'll Never Forget". After Veronica did a bit of singing in the dressing room with Betty, Archie and Chuck, Veronica spoke for the entire gang when she told Chuck that his behavior throughout rehearsals has been nothing short of that of a proper Victorian gentleman, thus earning him a positive reputation. Chic Cooper entered the dressing room, much to Betty's surprise. He claims that he wouldn't miss the play for the world. Betty then told him that he should return to his seat as the play is about to start, and that he wasn't supposed to be backstage.
The crowd was packed when the play started, Alice Cooper started to sing "Evening Prayers". When Alice cued Midge, the curtains raised only to reveal that Midge had been murdered by the Black Hood. She had been stabbed with knives and scissors and pinned to the wall. On the wall, written in blood was a message saying, "I Am Back From The Dead. All Those Who Escaped Me Before Will Die... B.H." When Alice screamed in fear, the crowd realized that this was not part of the play and the auditorium erupted into panic and chaos.
In Season 6, Chuck is mentioned when Veronica and Reggie were kissing in the car in front of her students, this triggering past memories of when Chuck ruined Veronica's reputation when they kissed in the car.
In Season 7, Chuck is last mentioned to be performing Shakespeare's Macbeth opposite Josie McCoy in New York City.
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Chuck Clayton was a friendly and easygoing character, as well as a longtime friend of Archie and the gang.
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 verse Villains
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Archie & Riverdale Sabrina the Teenage Witch & Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Katy Keene See Also | ||