Riverdale Actress Slams Show’s Handling Of Black Characters
Riverdale actress Bernadette Beck joins co-star Vanessa Morgan in speaking out against the CW show’s poor treatment of Black characters.
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Riverdale actress Bernadette Beck is the latest to speak out against the CW show’s poor treatment of Black characters. Beck joined the popular teen drama in season 3, playing Riverdale High student Peaches ‘N Cream. As a recurring character, Peaches is a member of Toni’s (Vanessa Morgan) gang the Pretty Poisons. Aside from that, however, there has not been much exploration into her character. As season 5 of Riverdale is expected to feature a time jump, it isn’t clear where Peaches will end up when the show resumes.
The past few months have seen something of a reckoning in Hollywood as more and more people speak out in favor of better opportunities and representation for people of color. Special scrutiny has been placed on how certain projects depict their characters of color, and in early June, Morgan slammed Riverdale for how it treats both her and Toni. Morgan called out the stereotypes used to portray Black characters and also mentioned that she is the lowest-paid Riverdale series regular.
Now Beck is echoing Morgan’s thoughts in a new interview with Elle. Beck addressed the way Peaches is depicted, which often has her simply standing in the background chewing gum. Riverdale producers reportedly would tell her to look “sassy” while also giving her very little to do. This made Peaches come across as a mean character, but as Beck explained, “I never had much of a story plot or enough character development to even be considered an antagonist. I was, for no reason, depicted in a very negative, unattractive light. And I’m not the first Black actress to show up on set, stand there, chew gum, and look sassy and mean. I feel like I was just there to fulfill a diversity quota. It’s just to fulfill points.” Beck also revealed that there were times when people actually forgot she was in a scene and would therefore give her no directions.
Beck also touched upon what might be Peaches’ most memorable moment on Riverdale. In the season 3 episode “Chapter Fifty-One: Big Fun,” Peaches (who is bisexual) is nearly pulled into a threesome by Toni in a sequence that perpetuates the stereotype that bi people are quick to have sex with anyone. “When you’re in it, you’re going through the motions and you’re like, ‘Oh great, I finally get to be utilized!’” said Beck, who is openly bisexual as well. “But when I saw it all put together, it made my character seem like she was down for anything.” Finally, Beck addressed how playing a character that is considered unlikable can affect someone’s real life, whether it is by losing out on opportunities white actors often receive or by being harassed by fans.
Following Morgan’s comments back in June, Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa issued his own statement apologizing for past mistreatment and promising to do better. Of course, Beck’s new assertions further prove just how much work Riverdale has to do, and it remains to be seen how successful the show actually will be in trying to do better. Until Riverdale (and other shows just like it) actually begin to write positive, meaningful stories for their Black characters, nothing is going to change. However, now that Beck and Morgan have brought these issues to light, perhaps they’ve ensured that real change actually will come to television.
Link Source : https://screenrant.com/riverdale-racism-criticism-black-characters-bernadette-beck/