Riverdale showrunner promises to do better for Vanessa Morgan through character Toni Topaz

Riverdale boss apologizes to Toni Topaz actress, Vanessa Morgan, and intends “to do better” by honoring her character.

Vanessa Morgan, who plays Antoinette “Toni” Topaz in the teen-drama series Riverdale, highlighted in a Twitter post back on Sunday, May 31, that she was the only black series regular and paid the least out of the whole cast.

Coming during the wake of global protests for Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd, Morgan’s statement is one of many in which actors have highlighted the reoccurring problem of inequality within the entertainment industry.

Now Riverdale head honcho Roberto Aguirre Sacasa has issued a public apology to the actress.

Sacasa, who also revealed the writers of Riverdale “made a donation” to the movement to the West Coast branch [Black Lives Matter LA], had this to say in response to Morgan’s tweet:

"“We hear Vanessa.”“We love Vanessa. She’s right. We’re sorry and we make the same promise to you that we did to her. We will do better to honor her and the character she plays. As well as all our actors and characters of color.”"

Morgan was introduced as Toni Topaz in a recurring capacity during the show’s second season. She was then promoted to a series regular position for the third season and has remained so for the fourth.

Topaz initially seemed like she was going to be a potential love interest for Jughead – a fellow Southside Serpent. However, she then became romantically involved with Cheryl Blossom (played by Madelaine Petsch) in one of the show’s most beloved pairings.

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She has become one of Riverdale’s fan-favorite characters so it’s no surprise that fans have supported Morgan’s comments, championing better development and storylines for Toni.

Riverdale was among several of the shows within the entertainment landscape that was affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic and was shortened from 22 to 19 episodes during season 4. However, it has indeed been renewed for a fifth season and it shall return on The CW in January 2021.

Are you looking forward to Riverdale Season 5? Let us know in the comments below!