Matthew Young King, who plays Marty Mantle on Riverdale, discussed his controverisal character and gave us an inside look on the show!
We at Survived The Shows had the great pleasure of discussing Marty Mantle ‘s journey on Riverdale with actor Matthew Young King!
Were you a fan of the show before joining the cast? What’s your favorite season or storyline?
MATTHEW YOUNG KING: Sorta? I’m a huge nerd, so I read just about every comic under the sun. From Mandrake the Magician and The Phantom in my dad’s old 5 cent collection to the Todd MacFarlane years at Marvel through the silver age of comics until really the birth of Image comics. So I would read Archie comics through the Pop! Imprint back in the day, but it was more because I was consuming all things comic more than any particular love of Archie. Since I loved mutants and sci fi. I would always look for the Archie special issues where they got super powers or things went super weird. Those were the ones I liked the most.
Which was the most fun scene for you to film?
Probably getting to be a drunk brute with Charles Melton. As an Asian American actor a lot of what I have gotten to do over the years has been in an expositional format. I come in to express that the situation is dire in some way and then I leave. While expository writing is necessary to push forward the plot, it’s boring after a fact to act it over and over. So to play a drunk who is down on his luck, has a gambling problem and beats his son is a real character that I could explore. And I felt like it was a gift to have it after so many years of eating plain cereal.
Riverdale recently embraced its supernatural side once and for all. What do you think about this twist? Did you see it coming?
Nope, didn’t see it coming. I love it, because of the special episodes of Archie back in the day hearkened toward the comics that I loved the most. So while many have considered it absurd, I feel like it’s actually getting down in the weeds of actual Archie apocrypha.
We recently learned that your character is sick and will probably live for another year or so. What was your reaction when the authors pitched this idea for your character? Or is it something you requested yourself?
It wasn’t. I have been waiting for the axe to fall over and over. Every time they bring me back I seem to get more to do, and my prognosis gets more and more dire.
Will we see more of your storyline in the next episodes?
Tune in!
How do you think this storyline influences Marty and Reggie’s relationship?
I think that it finally resolves some issues that they have been working through for years.
What do you think about Reggie’s decision to let Marty live “the best year of his life” after discovering his illness?
I think it shows that Reggie is a far better man than Marty ever gave him credit for, or could ever be.
Talking about the environment on set, how can you describe your experience with the cast and crew while filming Riverdale and with whom did you grow stronger friendships?
Most of my scenes are with Charles, so I would say that I am closest to him with current members of the cast. I formed a friendship with Luke Perry early on in my run and was struck (as everyone was) by his generosity of spirit and true kindness and work ethic. After doing a movie with Maddy Petsch outside of Riverdale we got a bit closer. And she is an extremely talented and beautiful soul. But, over and over I have been struck by Charles as an incredibly talented actor who has the best camera sense I’ve seen on screen. He just always seems to know what looks right in the frame. He’s also incredibly instinctive, and doesn’t get in the way of his own impulses. I just hope he gets some roles that can really showcase his talent.
If you could choose one character on Riverdale, apart from Marty, that you would have loved to play, which one would it be?
I dunno, Betty?
The news is out: Riverdale 7 will be the last season. How do you feel about it? Did you see it coming? Is there anything you’d like to see on the show before it ends?
Looks like it. All things must come to an end. No, but I didn’t predict 7 seasons for Riverdale either. Nah, I hope the writers surprise me.
We at Survived the Show are glad we got the chance to talk to Matthew Young King and thank him once again for his kindness and his time!
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