Claim: KJ Apa was cast as Archie Andrews for Riverdale in 2016.

Keneti James Fitzgerald `` KJ '' Apa -LRB- born 16 June 1997 -RRB- is a New Zealand actor . He is known for playing Kane Jenkins in the New Zealand prime-time soap opera Shortland Street . In 2016 , he was cast as Archie Andrews in Riverdale after a four-month worldwide talent search . In 2015 , he was cast as young Ethan in A Dog 's Purpose , released in 2017 .