Marisol Nichols Riverdale Interview

Marisol Nichols Riverdale Interview

Three-time ALMA Award nominee, Chicago-born Latina bombshell Marisol Nichols is set to make her prime time television return in the highly addictive new series Riverdale, the CW's subversive take on the Archie comic book series.

Set in present time and described as a cross between Archie and Twin Peaks, Riverdale is dark, eerie, and circles around the lives of "Archie" (KJ Apa), "Betty" (Lili Reinhart), "Veronica" (Camila Mendes) and their friends and family, exploring the surrealism of small-town life - the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale's wholesome façade.

Nichols plays "Hermione Lodge," Veronica's upscale mother who has now returned to Riverdale with her daughter, eager to start afresh following the scandalous incarceration of her husband and harboring dark secrets.

Nichols is no stranger to television, having a substantial resume that includes a lead role in the Darren Star-produced ABC comedy series GCB opposite Annie Potts, Kristin Chenoweth and Leslie Bibb and a lead role on Showtime's groundbreaking series Resurrection Boulevard, where she received media attention and acclaim for her portrayal of troubled teen "Victoria Santiago." Showing off her versatile acting skills Nichols next landed the role as Pakastani-American "Nadia Yassir," commanding CTU in season six of 24. Most recently Nichols had a reoccurring arc on the fan-favorite MTV scripted drama Teen Wolf as the elusive and trained assassin "Desert Wolf" and on NCIS as "ATF Special Agent Zoe Keates."

Nichols hasn't ignored the silver screen either; her breakout role as Chevy Chases' daughter, "Audrey Griswold," in Vegas Vacation eventually lead to roles in Scream 2, Can't Hardly Wait, Big Momma's House 2 snd Felon opposite Stephen Dorff and Val Kilmer, which has consistently garnered award recognition and critical acclaim.

In addition to her work on screen, Nichols has been fighting for the rights of kids and women for over a decade as co-founder of Foundation For A Slavery Free World and spokesperson for Youth For Human Rights International, non-profit organizations that fight modern slavery and human trafficking. For the third year in a row, Nichols hosted and produced "The Human Rights Hero Awards" this past summer.

Nichols is quickly becoming Hollywood's hottest commodity. According to The Washington Post, she "brings spirit and even a [dash] of sizzle and easily manages to be the most magnetic presence around." Vibe Magazine named her "The Bombshell" as part of theirHot 100. Nichol's career, like her Mexican-Hungarian-Romanian roots, can best be described as deliciously diverse. Without a doubt, Nichols is a bona fide superstar and is quickly becoming one of Hollywood's leading ladies. We would love to look at doing a feature with Marisol on her role in the CW's Riverdale.

Interview with Marisol Nichols

Question: How would you describe Riverdale?

Marisol Nichols: Mysterious and intoxicating.


Question: What drew you to audition for Riverdale, initially?

Marisol Nichols: My manager said to take a look at the series, I think it's an interesting project.

Question: Are you similar to your character of Hermione Lodge, in anyway?

Marisol Nichols: Not really, she's way more elegant, feminine and calculating. I'm way more direct; I say what's on my mind and Hermione is more 'covered" than I am, I'm more open; what you see is what you get with me.


Question: What was the best part about taking on the role of Hermione Lodge?

Marisol Nichols: All the amazingly interesting and precise character nuances that make up Hermione. She is very complicated. I'm constantly playing two or three things at the same time, particularly in season 2.


Question: Have you enjoyed working alongside Camila Mendes?

Marisol Nichols: I love Cami. She has such an effortless talent and she's a joy to be around; she's a good person.


Question: What's the most challenging part about filming Riverdale?

Marisol Nichols: Honestly there aren't many challenges. I've been on a lot of shows and this one has been really special and really wonderful so far. I would say the only challenge is our stories, each episode is so full of storylines, the challenge is getting everything done when we're only taking eight days to shoot each episode. This show requires more like nine or ten days to shoot an episode.


Question: What can we expect from season 2 of Riverdale?
Marisol Nichols: More mystery, more danger, and more manipulation; more of everything you loved in season 1!


Question: Will we be seeing more of Hermione Lodge in season two of Riverdale?

Marisol Nichols: Absolutely, Hermione and Hiram and the whole Lodge family dynamic is very prominent in season 2. It's really been fun so far.


Question: What inspired your passion for acting?

Marisol Nichols: The camaraderie that goes into making a scene or moment really effective; I can't quite describe it but you're creating art, you're creating something that is sometimes indescribable. Acting is full of those moments where what you do makes the audience want to laugh, cry, scream; the creativity that goes into that is in on another level - that's what I'm addicted to and passionate about.


Question: What's next, for you?

Marisol Nichols: So much; many more successful years on Riverdale. I have several projects I'm producing, including the continued work of my non-profit, Foundation for a Slavery Free World, travel and so much more!


Interview by Brooke Hunter