Madelaine Petsch Is Here To Push Your Boundaries

Madelaine Petsch has a penchant for divisive female characters. You know her best as Cheryl Blossom from the seven‑season hit "Riverdale", and she's rapidly evolving into one of Hollywood's most promising young producers. This fall, she's starring in and producing the next installment of Lionsgate's "The Strangers" horror trilogy, out September 26th, followed by the Amazon romantic comedy "Maintenance Required" on October 8th. In one film she's chased by strangers in a mask and in the other, she's running away from love. It was exciting to catch Madelaine at this pivotal moment—transitioning from actor to producer while navigating an industry deeply skeptical of that leap. She's refreshingly honest about the brutal realities of fame: death threats, having her address posted online, and the strategic decision to delete her entire YouTube channel after millions of views. We explore how her South African immigrant parents shaped her work ethic, why she's drawn to complex female characters, and the politics of producer credits. It was a treat to have her on and I hope you get as much out of our convo as I did.