Lili Reinhart and Camila Mendes bring twice the spice to Riverdale on The CW—and these exclusive photos captured by Derek Kettela.

Scroll to see more gorgeous portraits from this mod glam 1950s-themed Watch fashion shoot, and to get to know the women behind Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge.

Photography by Derek Kettela. Styled by Ashley Zohar. Originally published in Watch! Magazine, January-February 2018.

Season 5 of Riverdale premieres Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 8/7c on The CW. Catch up now on The CW.

Bygone basics

Although darker and more topical than the comic books it's based on, the Riverdale gang still gathers 'round milkshakes and fries, and the women, notes Lili Reinhart, "have very feminine shapes."

Like a glove

Camila Mendes had been auditioning since college but no one bit: "[Veronica] was the first role that was an actual fit for me, because my look isn't fully Latina, but it's not white either..."

Magic moment

"You smile so hard your face hurts and you feel like you're stuck in time for a minute," says Lili Reinhart, recalling her elation upon learning she'd finally won the Betty role.

Comic book relief

"We're both just a lot more laid back than all of the characters. I feel like that's what makes me most like Jughead." — Lili Reinhart

Getting complicated

"Our characters are three-dimensional and have layers... Betty's not just the good girl and Veronica's not just the sassy one." — Lili Reinhart

Out of character

In real life, says Cami Mendes, she's "much sweeter" than her character. "I'm not as quippy and strong and fierce as Veronica."

A better Betty

"Betty was such a pushover in the comics. She would just take Archie back every time he looked at her. Our Betty is so not like that." — Lili Reinhart

Star turns

In addition to a wealth of fresh talent, Riverdale features veteran actors Skeet Ulrich (Jughead's dad), Mädchen Amick (Alice Cooper), and Robin Givens (Riverdale's mayor).

Beating the odds

"There are so many cooks in the kitchen," says Cami Mendes of her Riverdale auditioning days. "So many people who need to nod their heads and say 'yes' to you."

Bad romance?

"I think Archie and Betty care for each other so much because they've been best friends forever," says Lili Reinhart in reference to Riverdale's central love triangle.

Teenage tangle

"It's so hard when you're 16 to decipher between having love for someone and being in love with them, feelings versus infatuation and lust versus love."— Lili Reinhart

Fickle friend

"One of the classic characteristics of Archie is that he's indecisive and always wants what he can't have." — Camila Mendes

Confidence boost

"I've definitely come out of my shell so much more," shares Lili Reinhart about feeling like an outsider at first on the show.

Girl power

The strength of the show's female characters comes from their honesty and vulnerability, Mendes opines. "It's always the men who are complicating things, because they aren't emotionally aware of themselves."

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Riverdale Stars Camila Mendes And Lili Reinhart Put Their Friendship To The Test

Originally published in Watch Magazine, January-February 2018.

Season 5 of Riverdale premieres Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 8/7c on The CW. Catch up now on The CW.