'Riverdale' to Honor Luke Perry in Season Opener with Shannen Doherty as Guest Star
LOS ANGELES – “Riverdale” will feature a special tribute to Luke Perry. Perry’s longtime friend and former costar Shannen Doherty will guest star in a special role in the episode, which will air Wednesday, October 9, at 8 Eastern/Pacific and 7 Central on The CW. Titled “Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam,” the season premiere will reflect Luke Perry’s enduring legacy and the indelible imprint his character, Fred Andrews, had on “Riverdale.”
The casting of Doherty continues her long association with Perry, which started in 1990 on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and continued for nearly 30 years. Perry and executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa had long planned for Doherty to appear on “Riverdale.” Her presence on the series “is something that Luke wanted to happen since season one,” said Aguirre-Sacasa. “They were such good friends, and when we were putting together this tribute episode, we wanted to make it as special as possible, and so we asked Shannen to do a pivotal, super-emotional role. She read the script and immediately said ‘yes.’ It’s very impactful.”
Perry died on March 4 at the age of 52 due to complications from a stroke he suffered on Feb. 27 at his Sherman Oaks home.
It was also announced that Kerr Smith (“The Fosters,” “Life Unexpected”) will play Riverdale High’s new principal, Mr. Honey, in a recurring role. Smith will first appear in the second episode of season four, entitled “Chapter Fifty-Nine: Fast Times at Riverdale High.” Aguirre-Sacasa describes Smith’s character as “a bit of a hard-ass who takes a harder line with the students this year, especially with the seniors.”
“Riverdale” stars KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Marisol Nichols, Madelaine Petsch, Mark Consuelos, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, Vanessa Morgan, Skeet Ulrich, with Mädchen Amick.
Based on the Archie Comics characters, “Riverdale” is from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater are executive producers. Season four of “Riverdale” airs Wednesdays at 8/7 Central on The CW.
