Deputy Dwight "Dewey" Riley is a fictional character in the Scream franchise. Dewey first appears in Scream (1996) as a bumbling police officer doing his best to deal with the first Woodsboro massacre. He was created by Kevin Williamson and portrayed by David Arquette. A comic relief character of sorts, Dewey is known for his affable personality, his bravery, and his resourcefulness. Arquette was initially called in to audition for the role of Billy Loomis but requested to director Wes Craven that he play Dewey instead, which Craven agreed to.
David Arquette as Dewey Riley in Scream (2022)
Dewey as he appears in Scream (1996)
David Arquette on the set of Scream 4
David Arquette (pictured) portrayed Dewey
Scream is a 1996 American slasher film directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. It stars David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich and Drew Barrymore. Set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, Scream's plot follows high school student Sidney Prescott (Campbell) and her friends, who, on the anniversary of her mother's murder, become the targets of a costumed serial killer known as Ghostface.
Theatrical release poster
Screenwriter Kevin Williamson (pictured in 2012)
Director Wes Craven (pictured in 2010)
Drew Barrymore (pictured in 2014) was considered for Sidney Prescott before she was cast as Casey Becker. Critics praised her performance.