'Katy Keene' Episode 1: From murder capital Riverdale to dream city New York, Josie has come a long way
This article contains spoilers for 'Katy Keene' Season 1
Josephine "Josie" McCoy (Ashleigh Murray) is one of the main characters not only in the Archie comics universe but also on The CW's 'Riverdale' TV series. Now she's a recurring character in the new 'Riverdale' spin-off, 'Katy Keene'. She was the lead singer and the guitarist of her high school band, Josie and the Pussycats but had bigger plans for herself. With a dream to make it big, her secrecy in pursuing a solo music career without her band members Valerie Brown (Hayley Law) and Melody Valentine (Asha Bromfield) ended up breaking up the band.
The daughter of Jazz musician Myles McCoy (Reese Alexander) and former Riverdale Mayor Sierra McCoy (Robin Givens), Josie had one goal when she left 'Riverdale' behind and that was to become a star in New York City. In the pilot of 'Katy Keene', we see Josie manifest all her energy in making sure her incredible voice is heard and not silenced. After arriving in NYC, she sets out to find a job and meet Katy's friends and roommates. While on the hunt for a monthly paycheck, she comes across a woman singing and joins along. Her talent catches the eye of Alexander Cabot (Lucien Laviscount), who works at the same recording studio that Prince, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder recorded at.
She obviously stuns Alexander in her formal audition but when she performs for the board of the recording label, she ends up in the middle of a sibling rivalry. Alexander's sister, Alexandra Cabot (Camille Hyde) seems to think that Josie isn't "undeniable" enough for the company to spend its millions on. After hearing enough of the Cabot's snarky comments, she ditches Alexander who was also her love interest and decides to make her own way in the city.
From the lead singer of a high school band to a singer at her best friend Veronica Lodge's (Camila Mendes) Speakeasy to the harsh streets of a city that never sleeps, Josie has come a long way. Living with friends that have friends in high places and are also on a mission to make their "wish upon a star" dreams come true, we know Josie is in good hands. Her first few days in NYC don't prove to be positively exciting but as she says, she's from "Riverdale, the murder capital of the world", she'll be just fine in the competitive city.
'Katy Keene' airs Thursdays at 8 pm EST on The CW.