Katy Keene

• Genre: Comedy drama, Musical
• Based on: Characters by Archie Comics, Katy Keene by Bill Woggon
• Developed by: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Michael Grassi
• Starring: Lucy Hale, Ashleigh Murray, Katherine LaNasa, Julia Chan, Jonny Beauchamp, Lucien Laviscount, Zane Holtz, Camille Hyde
• Narrated by: Lucy Hale
• Music by: James S. Levine
• No. of seasons: 1
• No. of episodes: 13
• Executive producers: Siobhan Bachman, Jon Goldwater, Sarah Schechter, Michael Grassi, Greg Berlanti, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
• Producers: Jennifer Lence, Caroline Baron
• Production location: New York City
• Cinematography: Brendan Uegama
• Editors: Harry Jierjian, Jessie Murray, Gaston Jaren Lopez, Daniel Hahn, Diandra Kendall Luzon
• Running time: 42 minutes
• Production companies: Berlanti Productions, Archie Comics, CBS Television Studios, Warner Bros. Television
• Network: The CW
• Release: February 6 – May 14, 2020

The series follows the professional and romantic lives of four Archie Comics characters, including fashion legend-to-be Katy Keene and singer-songwriter Josie McCoy, five years after the events of Riverdale, as they chased their dreams in New York City. The series infuses music into the plotlines and followed the origins, trials, and tribulations of four struggling artists who are desperate to make it in the spotlight.

"Chapter One: Once Upon a Time in New York"

Living in New York with her boyfriend KO Kelly and her roommate, drag performer Jorge Lopez, Katy Keene works to achieve her dream job: personal shopper to her boss at Lacy's department store, Gloria Grandbilt. Although Katy is more than qualified, Gloria chooses another girl, Amanda, over her, in part because of her envy towards Katy's talent as a designer, and reassigns her to work as a stock girl when she complains. Jorge, tired of being repeatedly passed over for Broadway roles because of his lack of "masculinity", auditions as Ginger, his drag persona. When he is rejected again, he vows to make it on his own by any means. Katy's friend Josie moves to New York, where she is recruited by Alexander Cabot to be the first singer signed to his new label. However, her song is rejected, and Alex's spiteful sister Alexandra reveals her brother's womanizing ways; heartbroken, Josie quits the label. Katy's friend Francois hires her to work for him, but only until she is ready to open her own store. When she informs KO, he surprises her by proposing marriage.

"Chapter Two: You Can't Hurry Love"

With Katy's personal life in a holding pattern, she can't seem to escape even at work; Jorge finds himself on the outs with the Broadway community and must decide if he wants to give up performing as Ginger.

"Chapter Three: What Becomes of the Broken Hearted"

With everything a little off between Katy and KO, Katy tries to make everything perfect for Valentine's Day; KO tries to do something nice for the roommates but only seems to make things worse; Pepper turns to an old friend to get some quick cash.

"Chapter Four: Here Comes the Sun"

Katy decides to put all her energy into work to avoid her personal life, but she finds herself in hot water again at work. Determined to fix things, she enlists Pepper's help to track down the designer that is key to saving her job. Meanwhile, Jorge questions his new relationship and Josie stands up to Alexander and Xandra, which gives her the upper hand.

"Chapter Five: Song for a Winter's Night"

With Katy trying to get into fashion school, she knows she needs a recommendation letter, so she turns to Gloria who puts her to the test in making her the ultimate dress in exchange, putting the pressure on Katy. Forced to stay inside because of the polar vortex, tensions grow high when Josie and Pepper get into a fight and Jorge breaks Katy's number one rule. Meanwhile, Josie is torn about the deal Alexander's dad made her, especially after what Alexander shows her.

"Chapter Six: Mama Said"

With Katy trying to move on from KO, she once again throws herself into her work, which turns out to be a sticky situation with her clients. Pepper is confronted about what she is up to but is surprised about the proposal she receives instead. Jorge learns he might be losing his coveted performance spot at Molly's Crisis to the winner of a drag queen pageant, so Jorge decides to enter Ginger and is surprised by his mother's reaction. Meanwhile, Josie is nervous about her mother coming to town to hear her EP release and of course meeting Alexander.

"Chapter Seven: Kiss of the Spider Woman"

Katy has been asked by Patricia to design her wedding dress, making her uncomfortable after sleeping with Errol, who tells her he will cancel the wedding if she wants to be with him. Gloria is also pressuring her to create the dress. Jorge is being couched by Francoise as his "drag godmother" and expresses his wishes to perform Kiss of the Spider Woman as a solo performer. Pepper manages to prepare a show at The Pepper Plant and gain investors, but no one shows interest. Pepper asks Xandra and Alex to be investors, but Alex only agrees if Josie gets to perform the title role. Katy asks Guy LaMontagne for help and tells Patricia she should wear one of his dresses, making her less guilty for what happened, and Patricia accepts as she loves the dress. Josie and Jorge perform together as Spider Woman, making him feel free as his father finally learns the truth about him, even though he is not totally supportive of him being a drag queen. As Jorge and Bernardo walk together after the show, they are surrounded by four homophobic men.

"Chapter Eight: It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"

With everyone reeling from what happened to Jorge, Jorge must now explain to his dad about Ginger. Katy is vying for an important apprenticeship, but in order to earn it she is given an impossible task that involves dealing with Xandra. The group all wants to celebrate Pepper's birthday like in years past, but this year she does something a little different, but her plan gets hijacked by Ms. Freesia. Meanwhile, Josie is eager to get her music out into the world, so she shoots a music video behind Alexander's back.

"Chapter Nine: Wishin' & a Hopin'"

Katy struggles with find her place with her new position and loses her confidence and turns to Gloria who gives her good advice. Alex wants to put together The Pussycats again, but what his dad envisions and what Josie envisions for the group are two different things leaving Alex to make a tough choice. Jorge is happy that he is able to bring his current boyfriend and a budding friendship with an ex together, but things become a little messy. Meanwhile, Pepper is in an online feud that could ruin everything for her, and she is stunned when she learns who it is.

"Chapter Ten: Gloria"

Kevin Keller, a teacher at Riverdale High, visits Josie and meets her friends. Xandra asks Josie to be a Pussycat, but she refuses as there have been issues between both. Katy has a sex dream about Guy, and it makes her more uncomfortable when she receives one of his dresses. Gloria releases a book; after her reading, an article appears claiming she treats her female employees badly, and hinting that one of them slept with royalty. When Gloria is fired as a result, she asks Katy to write a letter to clear her name. Josie's bandmates quit after talking with Kevin and learning about Josie's issues with previous bandmates. Jorge proposes that he, Buzz and Bernardo become a "throuple", but Buzz declines. Pepper helps Kevin deal with a director who previously treated him poorly, and exposes him for sexual harassment. Gloria tells Katy she had a romance with one of her superiors in the past, and advises Katy not to repeat her mistakes - making Katy realize she needs to keep things professional with Guy. While cleaning Gloria's desk, Katy finds a letter revealing Gloria (and possibly Katy's mother as well) had a romance with Mrs. Lacy's son. Xandra steals one of Josie's songs and performs at one of her shows. Bernardo breaks up with Jorge, and when Jorge tries to fix things he finds out Bernardo and Buzz got together.

 

"Chapter Eleven: Who Can I Turn To?"

Katy feels disappointed after she was rejected at Parsons. The Met Gala is soon and she tries to balance her duties helping Guy and Amanda, causing her problems with Guy, and KO to punch him when he is being rude to Katy. Guy disappears after the incident and since she can't find him she redesigns the dress he previously made for a client. Pepper asks Alex to be on investor on The Pepper Plant, but he has his doubts on her. Pepper has an idea to promote both the Pepper Plant and Josie's band on the Met Gala, who perform on the event, angering Xandra. Hannah, Pepper's ex wife, tells Alex the truth about her and tells Josie about it.Katy and Guy have sex that same night.

"Chapter Twelve: Chain of Fools"

After Jorge discovers his parents are having money problems, he accepts a job at Lacy's and starts go-go dancing. Guy sees one of Katy's sketches and to her surprise, creates a dress almost identical. Alex tells Pepper he wants his money back or he'll call the police, so Pepper steals a diamond purse to get the money. Pepper is confronted by her friends, who felt deceived by her lies. Pepper uses the money to pay Jorge's parents' mortgage, but it is still not enough to save the building, meaning they have to move. Katy discovers Guy has stolen sketches from other apprentices for his dresses. Alex works with his father again, disappointing Josie. Pepper is arrested.

"Chapter Thirteen: Come Together"

Josie finds evidence that Alex has relapsed; she joins forces with Xandra to get him into rehab. Guy offers Katy the position of lead designer; KO shows up to see Katy, but leaves unseen when he hears Guy profess his love to Katy. Although Katy is pleased, she later reconsiders and declines the offer. Katy speaks with Gloria on how to save Lacy's and they organize their own "Fashion Week" show featuring designs from Guy's interns (the ones whose sketchbooks Guy had stolen). Jorge plans a party at Washington Heights and performs as Ginger to collect the signatures needed to stop demolition of their building. Katy gets accepted at Parsons, and rushes to Grand Central to find KO. He's moving to Philly to fulfill his dreams; Katy fondly wishes him well, but doesn't reveal her feelings, fearing he might decide to stay on her account. Errol (who is no longer a prince) buys Lacy's, giving Gloria, Katy and the others their jobs back. Hiram Lodge arrives at the bodega, ominously telling Jorge and his parents that he had intended to buy the block, but they foiled his plan. Josie asks Pepper to be her band manager and she accepts. Katy meets Leo Lacy, Mrs. Lacy's son, and tells him he might be her father.