River Barkley is one of the main characters in The Politician. He is portrayed by David Corenswet.
Early Life[]
River grew up in a wealthy household in Santa Barbara, California. It is also known that he tried to kill himself prior to the series by drowning in his pool.
Personality[]
During his days when he was alive, he was a happy-go-lucky person but secretly was dealing with his emptiness. He is good-natured and believes in kindness.
Throughout the Series[]
Season 1[]
In the beginning of the series, Astrid is at River's house and they are together in bed. River asks her to stop pretending to enjoy herself- he wants to see her authentic self. He seems disconnected from both Astrid and everyone else around him.
River is the king of the high school- he is the good looking popular guy who seems to have it all- wealth, sports, the girlfriend, the popularity. However, deep down he seems empty. He goes into a safe in his house and pulls out a gun. He seems to contemplate using it on himself.
River decides to run for the class presidency, upon advice from his girlfriend Astrid. Payton is furious and goes to River's house to tell him to back down. They had a prior relationship- as friends and as lovers.
At the end of the first episode, River, who seems lost, kills himself in front of Payton. The school mourns his loss.
River continues to appear randomly throughout the season in Payton's dreams, there to give advice.
Season 2[]
River continues to appear to Payton as the little voice in his head.
Relationships[]
- Astrid Sloan - His longtime girlfriend. It can be depicted that their relationship is built with trust since River confessed to her that he kissed Payton during their tutoring session.
- Payton Hobart - He was hired by Georgina as Payton's Mandarin Tutor but developed to being lovers. However, after what happened, they became close friends but was ruined when he learned that River was running against him in the student president elections. Before he killed himself, he confessed to him that he did love him. After he killed himself, he would appear to Payton as a conscience and help him.
Physical Appearance[]
River is an extremely good-looking man, who attracts the attention of both men and women. He is tall, brunette, and very fit. He is athletic and works out often. He is always well dressed.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
Season 2[]
Quotes[]
"You're gonna change the world, Payton." ― River[source]
"You don't have to be a good person, you just have to do good things." ― River[source]
Trivia[]
- In Pilot, it is revealed that his father worked for Goldman in Shangai, so they lived there until he was 10.
Gallery[]
