Claudius Blossom

Biographical Information

Occupation

Merchant Mariner (formerly)

Drug Lord

Status

Deceased

Cause of Death

Poisoned (by Penelope Blossom; staged as suicide)

Relationships

Affiliation

Blossom Maple Farms

Relatives

Beatrice Cooper † (ancestor)
Abigail Blossom † (ancestor)
Benjamin Blossom † (ancestor)
Barnabas B. Blossom † (great-great-grandfather)
Unnamed Paternal Grandfather
Unnamed Great-Uncle †
Rose Blossom † (mother)
Penelope Blossom (adoptive sister/sister-in-law)
Clifford Blossom † (twin brother)
Cheryl Blossom † (niece)
Jason Blossom † (nephew)
Juniper and Dagwood Blossom (great niece and nephew)
Hal Cooper † (2nd cousin)
Alice Smith † (formerly; 2nd cousin-in-law)
Polly Cooper † (2nd cousin, 1× removed)
Betty Cooper † (2nd cousin, 1× removed)

Appearances

“	I joined the Merchant Marines, sailed the seas, desperate to outrun the Blossom curse.	”
	— Claudius to Cheryl Blossom^[src]

Claudius Blossom was a recurring character on The CW's Riverdale. He was portrayed by Barclay Hope.

Claudius was the estranged twin brother of the late Clifford 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.

Throughout Riverdale[]

Season 2[]

Returning to Riverdale[]

RD-Caps-2x15-There-Will-Be-Blood-56-Claudius — Claudius' return to Riverdale

After decades away from Riverdale, Claudius returns during the reading of Clifford's will. The arrival of Claudius, a man who looks identical to her despised and deceased father, caused his niece, Cheryl, to faint in shock. When she comes to, Claudius explains to her how when he and Clifford were boys, it became apparent that Claudius was being primed to inherit the Blossom empire. So, one their 14th birthday when he and Clifford were down by Sweetwater River, Clifford pointed a rifle at Claudius and told him about the Blossom curse. How one of the twins always met a violent end, and often at the hands of the other. Fortunately, he spared Claudius. But that very night, Claudius ran away from home without a trace and later joined the Merchant Marines where he sailed the seas desperate to outrun the Blossom curse.

The following night, the Blossoms and Toni gather for dinner. He tells them about his journeys as a sailor. During one particular journey, he came upon an Island named "Lesbos," which is really just a reference to Cheryl and Toni's relationship. He claims it was the most beautiful and natural place on earth. Claudius then announces that he will be staying in Riverdale to assure that his mother and the house is well cared for.

Sometime later, he expresses disgust with the Lodge family and a desire to get revenge on them while listening to Hermione Lodge announce her run for mayor on the radio. However, Penelope reminds him of their secret agenda, saying "first Nana, then Cheryl," unaware that Cheryl is outside the door listening.^[1]

Plotting Against Nana Rose[]

RD-Caps-2x16-Primary-Colors-29-Nana-Rose-Claudius — Nana Rose and Claudius

That morning at the breakfast table, Cheryl claims that someone was trying to break into her room the night before, however, Penelope dismisses 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 suggests that they start considering him in taking over Nana Rose's stewardship of the maple syrup business. However, Rose refuses to even entertain the suggestion, and so Claudius offers Rose some of Penelope's special blended tea to calm her.

RD-Caps-2x16-Primary-Colors-53-Penelope-Claudius — Penelope and Claudius outside Thistlehouse

That night, an ambulance is called after Nana Rose suffers a terrible fall down a flight of steps. Fortunately, she would recover. Claudius and Penelope tells the police that Rose suffers from Sundowner's Syndrome, causing her to lose her senses at night fall, which must've resulted in her fall.^[2]

Claudius enters the living room to find that his mother has gotten out her chair, crawled on the floor and managed to reach the phone, telling Toni that Cheryl is at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.^[3]

Claudius later attends Midge Klump's funeral, along with Penelope and Cheryl, the latter singing a commemorating song out of respect.^[4]

The New Southside[]

A clandestine meeting is arranged between Penelope, Claudius, and Hiram in one of the old barns on the Thornhill estate. Penelope checks outside after they hear a noise by the door, but she discovers nothing. Little does she know that Cheryl is hiding in a barrel.

RD-Caps-2x22-Brave-New-World-110-Penny-Penelope-Claudius-Malachai-Sheriff-Minetta-Hiram — Welcome to the New Southside

The next evening, on the other side of town, at the Whyte Wyrm, Hiram calls a meeting with all his accomplices, i.e. Penelope, Claudius, Penny, Malachai and Sheriff Minetta. It's been months in the making but the time has finally arrived. Hiram welcomes them all to the new Southside. Penelope asks about Hermione who Hiram explains can't be privy to certain machinations now that she's mayor. But the plan remains the same: the prison will soon be up and operational, with Claudius' drugs running through it. "Like brother, like brother," Penny comments, referencing Clifford's former operations. Hiram goes on to explain that Malachai and his Ghoulies will be their soldiers and dealers, with Penny troubleshooting. And hopefully doing a better job than she did of killing Jughead, Hiram remarks. However, as Penny explains, he wasn't breathing when they left him. Penelope reminds Hiram that he promised her a brothel, which Hiram intends to make good on. Claudius then asks about Hiram's daughter and her "meddlesome friends," to which Hiram responds by saying they are not of concern, as steps have been taken to tear them apart.^[5]

Season 3[]

Supplying the Sisters[]

Claudius arrives at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy in the Blossom Maple Farms truck. This is odd considering the Sisters don’t serve maple syrup in the cafeteria. Unbeknownst to Claudius, Betty is watching from afar, becoming ever so suspicious of the Blossoms' connection to the Sisters.^[6]

RD-Caps-3x10-The-Stranger-21-Claudius — Claudius is called in to be the new Sheriff

At the Pembrooke, Claudius and Penelope inform Hiram that the Sisters of Quiet Mercy asylum is up for auction. It appears to be a competitive situation with multiple bidders, including the Farm. Hiram, however, has other plans for the property, which doesn’t include Penelope’s brothel. The reason Hiram summoned them is because they need a new sheriff, and he’s nominated Claudius, who initially refuses as the last sheriff was killed but is strong-armed into the position by Hiram.

Claudius is instructed by Hiram to meet with Tall Boy to pick up Archie, who Tall Boy claims to have captured. However, when Claudius arrives, he is ambushed by Archie, Jughead and FP, and is then taken to the sheriff station and locked in a cell, where his body is later found.^[7]

Physical Appearance[]

Claudius is Clifford's twin. He was middle-aged man of average build with pale skin and blue eyes, who unlike his twin, doesn't hide his prematurely grey hair under a red toupée. 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.

Personality[]

Claudius initially presented himself as kind and harmless, merely searching for a home. He was even supportive of Cheryl's relationship with Toni. But in reality, he returned Riverdale to gain power and take over the Blossom empire no matter the cost, even if it meant bringing harm to his own mother.