| “ | 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 significant role, he is a boy with whom Veronica goes on a date. 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 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 gets suspended.
He later returns, again putting on a charming facade and pretending to be repentant regarding his earlier actions. 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 fistfight with Chuck, and his father breaks it 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 and taunting him, saying that he is lucky that he is not in the same weight class. 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 of applause to Hiram Lodge because he supported the team and wrestled with the coach during his first year of coaching. He informs the team that not everyone will make the team, and there will be daily cuts. So Coach Kleats advised them to make each match count. They then paired off for "ups 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 it to 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 relatively easy to execute, it's also a practical move when the opponent is arrogant by dominating rivals. He emphasizes that demoralizing the opponent is the recipe for victory.
The final day of tryouts came around, and Chuck faced off against Archie despite being at a disadvantage given their weight differences. Chuck was unconcerned as he had the advantage, teasing Archie that he was acting like his little sister for complaining. He and Archie went back and forth on the mat for some time. Chuck attempts to tackle Archie several times, but ultimately, Archie manages to gain the upper hand and pull the victory over Chuck.
Chuck is seen lastly signing up for Carrie: The Musical. When he arrived at the first rehearsal, he thought it was in 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 to change his ways and fix his negative reputation. While it may be counter-intuitive to portray the movie's villain, Chuck said that somebody had to do it and that he would act seriously by putting in the work, showing up on time, and being a team member. 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. 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 gave Cheryl a round of applause. As Cheryl returned to her seat, a heavy sandbag fell from above and nearly crushed her.
Later on, Jughead recorded Chuck and Archie singing "Do Me a Favor" with Betty and Veronica.
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, having major daddy issues, being bad to the bone, and 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 that the role of Carrie will go towards her understudy, Midge Klump. When they ask why, Kevin reveals that Cheryl's mom is not one to be a stage mom.
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 sang in the dressing room with Betty, Archie, and Chuck, Veronica spoke for the entire gang. She told Chuck that his behavior throughout rehearsals had 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 was about to start and that he wasn't supposed to be backstage.
The crowd was packed when the play started, and Alice Cooper began to sing "Evening Prayers." When Alice cued Midge, the curtains raised only to reveal that the Black Hood had murdered Midge. 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 are kissing in the car in front of her students, triggering 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 is a friendly, easygoing character and 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 | ||