Veronica Lodge and her mother Hermione are portrayed as Latina by Camila Mendes and Marisol Nichols, shifting from their original white comic depictions. Reggie Mantle is cast as Asian by Ross Butler, and Josie McCoy leads an all-Black version of the Pussycats played by Ashleigh Murray, with additional supporting changes to characters like Pop Tate and Principal Weatherbee.

Creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has cited his Nicaraguan heritage in statements framing these choices as part of a conscious effort to prioritize diversity and representation during production. The series maintains its core murder-mystery premise and teen drama structure as traditional elements, with the diversity functioning as a supporting layer rather than a central driver. A prominent recurring gay character, Kevin Keller, receives dedicated romantic and sexual subplots across multiple episodes, including hookups with the closeted Moose and a relationship with Serpent member Joaquin. These additions align with the creator's stated goals but do not alter the foundational narrative focus on the central mystery and interpersonal conflicts among the main group.