Claudius Blossom

"I joined the Merchant Marines, sailed the seas, desperate to outrun the Blossom curse."

- Claudius to Cheryl Blossom

Claudius Blossom is a character on the second season of Riverdale. He is portrayed by Barclay Hope.

Claudius is the estranged twin brother of the late Cliff Blossom and son of Rose Blossom.

Early Life
Claudius and his twin brother Clifford were raised in Riverdale. Years later, Claudius would describe them back then as "a modern-day Romulus and Remus". Eventually, however, it became clear that their parents were grooming Claudius to inherit the Blossom business empire. On their 14th birthday, while down by Sweetwater River, Clifford threatened Claudius with a rifle, telling him of the "Blossom curse", in which one twin often met a violent end, often at the hands of the other. Although Clifford spared Claudius' life, Claudius was terrified enough to run away from home that very night. Claudius joined the Merchant Marines, and traveled the world, hoping to avoid the family curse.

Claudius' disappearance devastated his mother, who could not even bear to speak his name. Clifford, who went on to inherit the Blossom business, never even told his children of Claudius' existence.

Returning to Riverdale
After decades away from Riverdale, Claudius returned during the reading of Clifford's will. The arrival of Claudius, a man who looked identical to her despised, and deceased, father, caused his niece Cheryl Blossom to faint dead away. When she came to, Claudius explained his history to her.

Sometime later, however, he expressed disgust with the Lodge family and a desire to get revenge on them. His sister-in-law Penelope Blossom, however, reminded him of a secret agenda, saying "first Nana, then Cheryl", unaware that Cheryl was listening.

That morning at the breakfast table, Cheryl claimed that someone was trying to break into her room the night before, however, Penelope dismissed her claims by insisting that she was merely imagining things. Onto more important matters, with Claudius in town, at least for the time being, Penelope suggested that they start considering him in taking over Nana Rose's stewardship of the maple syrup business. However, Rose refused to even entertain the suggestion, and so Claudius offered Rose some of Penelope's special blended tea to calm her.

That night, an ambulance had to be called after Nana Rose suffered a terrible fall down a flight of steps, and fortunately, she would recover. Claudius and Penelope told the police that Rose suffered from Sundowner's Syndrome, causing her to lose her senses at night fall, which must've resulted in her fall.

Claudius entered the living room to find that his mother had gotten out her chair, crawled on the floor until reaching the phone, and told Toni that Cheryl was at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.

The town gathers for Midge Klump's funeral to pay respect. Cheryl sings a song in Midge's honor. She and the rest of the River Vixens are dressed in all-black cheerleader uniform. Midge's death has seemingly taken a great toll on Riverdale, Mrs. Klump and Moose especially. Claudius stands alongside Penelope as the service commences.

Physical Appearance
Claudius is middle-aged man of average build, with pale skin, blue eyes and unlike his twin doesn't hide his prematurely grey hair under a red toupée. However, despite being Clifford's twin, his appearance is still enough to shock people, like they're seeing a ghost. Unlike other members of the Blossom family, who tend to favor wearing an expensive red wardrobe, Claudius typically wears casual clothing, such as turtle necks and sweaters, predominantly void of bright colors. However, in the night, he is seen wearing lavish silk pajamas originally of his brother's possession.

Penelope Blossom
"The Lodges. How often have I dreamt of getting my revenge on them."

- Claudius speaking to Penelope Penelope and Claudius have a heavily business focused relationship where their few conversations revolve around "removing" people from the family business, with the plan being first Rose Blossom, followed by Cheryl. Their relationship has since grown, as noted when Cheryl notices Claudius wearing her father's pajamas.