When Calls the Heart star Chris McNally joins Riverdale in mystery role

It seems yet another resident of When Calls the Heart‘s Hope Valley is booking a ticket to the city of Riverdale!

Actor Chris McNally, who plays Lucas Bouchard on the hit Hallmark Channel original series, has been cast in a mystery role on The CW’s Riverdale. While details surrounding his casting including the identity of his character and when he’ll make his Riverdale debut are unknown, McNally’s casting was confirmed by Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa subtly revealed the casting news via Instagram.

Commemorating the end of production on the show’s current season, Aguirre-Sacasa shared a wrap photo from the set which included the show’s featured ensemble and offered fans their first look at McNally’s mystery character in the process.

McNally joins fellow When Calls the Heart star Martin Cummins as the latest star to appear on both series, with Cummins having pulled double duty with roles on both shows for several years now.

Who is Chris McNally playing on Riverdale?

At this time, it has not yet been revealed who When Calls the Heart actor Chris McNally will be playing on Riverdale; however, the season 5 cast wrap photo seems to suggest McNally could be joining the cast as Josie and the Pussycats’ new band manager.

It’s already been confirmed that the upcoming second half of Riverdale season 5 will feature the return of Josie and the Pussycats and the wrap photo makes it clear the band are about to hit the road in their snazzy new tour bus.

Given McNally’s presence in the photo which features the entire Pussycats band as well as Archie and the gang, we can’t help but wonder whether he has been cast to play the band’s manager or in a role connected somehow to the band.

While unlikely, there is also a slight chance McNally could perhaps be playing an iconic character from the Josie and the Pussycats comics franchise: Alan M. Mayberry. In the comics, Alan is Josie’s on-off boyfriend who is described as being a tall and muscular folk singer. McNally definitely checks off those first two boxes with the only unknown factor being whether he can carry a tune which seems like a must for a character known to be a singer.

Should any additional information become available regarding who McNally will be playing we’ll be sure to let you know. Until then, we’ll just have to sit back and wait for his Riverdale debut to happen when the show finally returns this August.