'Riverdale' Air Date, Cast News Update: Molly Ringwald Is Archie Andrews' Mom In The CW's Romance Murder Mystery

"Pretty in Pink" star Molly Ringwald is joining The CW's "Riverdale.' The TV adaptation based on the Archie Comics series is expected to begin airing on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8:00 p.m. It will be nothing like its well-known and funny original material since the show follows a romance murder mystery.

Molly Ringwald will have a recurring role in "Riverdale" as Archie Andrews' mom, Mary. Variety reports that the character will make her first appearance during the Homecoming Dance after being away from their town for two years.

Mary will reunite with her son Archie (K.J. Apa) and husband Fred (Luke Perry), as well as high school pals Alice Cooper (Madchen Amick) and Hermione Lodge (Marisol Nichols), who are Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica's (Camila Mendes) mothers. Her stay will not be permanent and why she's not with her family would likely be revealed in the show.

The vibe of "Riverdale" is quite different from the Archie comics that has been in print since the 1930s. According to Screener TV, the show is not a direct adaptation, but only an inspiration for carrying out its darker theme.

#Riverdale premieres in 2017 on The CW! pic.twitter.com/cebUCUjOVA

— Riverdale (@CW_Riverdale) September 9, 2016

"Riverdale" will open with the death of Jason Blossom, the town's Golden Boy. As the investigation gets under way, the townsfolk's secrets and family drama will also be unveiled. As Parent Herald previously reported Cole Sprouse's Jughead Jones will provided the narration to the series.

"Riverdale" is produced by Greg Berlanti, the man behind the DC TV universe on The CW. The script to the pilot, however, comes from Archie Comics' creative head Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Suffice to say, the adaptation, or rather, the inspiration, has the full knowledge and support of the Archie empire.

"Riverdale" has been filming in Vancouver since early this year. Originally set to run on Fox during the 2014 season development, the show has been acquired by The CW after the former network decided to drop it.

Catch its debut on Thursday, Jan. 26. Check out the teaser to "Riverdale" below.