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Disney+ is working on After Life with Archie, a live-action version of the horror comic that once turned the familiar Archie world upside down. It is drawing plenty of notice, mostly because Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is attached to lead it. He is the writer and producer behind Riverdale, and also other Archie stories that made the jump to television.
The idea pulls Riverdale into a very different place, turning that small town backdrop into something darker, almost apocalyptic. There is no official synopsis out yet, but the comic already lays the ground with its story of zombies spreading through familiar streets. It feels like a sharp break from what Archie usually represents, a universe remembered for lighter tales and a sense of nostalgia that lasted for decades.
There is also a wider context for Disney+. The platform has been investing in different genres, and bringing Archie into the horror space is part of a strategy that shows a willingness to experiment with established properties. It is not only a creative choice but also a signal of confidence in stories that connect to both long-time readers and streaming audiences.
Origins in the comic books
After Life with Archie was launched in 2013, written by Aguirre-Sacasa with art by Francesco Francavilla. The story begins when Jughead asks Sabrina to help revive his dog, Hot Dog. The spell works, but the animal returns with something sinister, becoming the starting point of an epidemic in Riverdale.
The comic book run was never completed, ending with ten published issues out of a planned twelve. Even unfinished, it became a milestone for Archie Comics. It was the first series sold directly to comic shops and the first to fully embrace horror, which helped the publisher find a new space in contemporary comics.
From Riverdale to Disney+
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has already adapted Archie characters for television in multiple ways. Riverdale premiered in 2017 and ran for seven seasons until 2023. He also created Katy Keene and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the latter based on another horror comic he wrote for Archie.
This background shows how deeply connected Aguirre-Sacasa is to the Archie universe. During events such as WonderCon in 2017, he mentioned the wish to adapt the zombie storyline from After Life with Archie. That never materialized inside Riverdale, but the opportunity now moves forward on Disney+.
Production and creative team
The series is produced by Aguirre-Sacasa through Muckle Man Productions, with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman for Berlanti Productions. Jon Goldwater joins as executive producer for Archie Comics Studios. Warner Bros. Television is the main studio.
According to Deadline, this represents the most significant development agreement WBTV has secured with Disney+ to date. The deal is a script-to-series commitment, meaning that once the script is approved, the project can move directly into full production.
Story direction in After Life with Archie
Details of the television script have not been revealed, but the likely direction follows the comic book. Riverdale, usually shown as a quiet town, becomes the stage for a zombie outbreak. Characters that are widely recognized in pop culture confront threats far beyond the usual personal dramas.
The tension between familiar figures and a horror setting is the central appeal. It opens the possibility of bringing an established property into a different genre without losing the identity of the original characters.
Parallels with Marvel Zombies
Disney+ brought out Marvel Zombies in September 2025, putting every episode online at the same time. The animated project, taken from the Marvel universe, showed heroes pushed into a world already lost to the undead. Coverage from places like Entertainment Weekly and Decider pointed to how daring the concept felt, and how it managed to connect with fans who enjoy both horror and superhero stories.
The performance of Marvel Zombies is relevant because it shows how the streaming service has already tested the zombie theme with known properties. That reception creates a clearer context for After Life with Archie, which may now enter the catalogue as another experiment linking familiar names with apocalyptic storytelling.
Current status and expectations
There is still no casting news, and no release date has been mentioned. What Disney+ has said so far is simple: the show is in development with a script-to-series agreement. From Archie Comics, the word was that updates will come later, though nothing specific has been given yet.
At this point, the project feels like it is still finding its shape. Script-to-series deals can push things forward more quickly than the usual pilot stage, but the pace depends on decisions inside the studio. Until then, it is waiting, paperwork and planning, before cameras can even roll.
Conclusion
Trending
The development of After Life with Archie shows that the Archie universe is still open to reinvention. After high school drama, musical spinoffs, and supernatural horror, the franchise now moves into apocalyptic territory. It brings back a comic book that became a cult favorite even though it was left unfinished, and introduces it to a global streaming audience.
With Marvel Zombies already tested on the platform, the way has been paved for another horror experiment with established characters. After Life with Archie could become a distinctive title within Disney+, combining nostalgia with an unexpected, darker vision of Riverdale.
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