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TRIBUTE: RIVERDALE Season 4 Premiere Will Honor Luke Perry Who Played Archie’s Dad

Tribute to Luke Perry

Is Riverdale going to break us with its tribute to Luke Perry who played Archie’s Dad Fred Andrews?

The season 4 premiere titled In Memorium honours the real-life passing of Luke Perry, who died from a stroke in March.

The image of a heartbroken Archie (KJ Apa) and his Mom (Molly Ringwald) is the latest glimpse of the episode.

At San Diego Comic-Con showrunner Roberto Aguirre Sacada spoke of their loss.

This year, our Riverdale family, and we are a family suffered a loss…it’s something we’re going to be feeling for as long as we’re lucky enough to make the show. —Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa at San Diego Comic Con.

And revealed that Luke Perry’s Beverly Hills 90210 castmate Shannen Doherty guest-stars in an undisclosed role.

But she is the person who was there when Fred Andrews died and is a source of comfort to Archie.

“The scene is so heartbreaking because you really feel Shannen’s love for Luke.” — Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa told Entertainment Weekly.

Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty.

[Luke and Shannen] 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 — Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa at San Diego Comic Con.

I am deeply honored to pay tribute to Luke on Riverdale. The care in which this show takes in honoring his memory is beautiful. He is missed. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. — Shannen Doherty.

Riverdale filmed In Memorium in Vancouver in July:

Related: Riverdale started filming its season 4 premiere In Memorium in Vancouver.

In Memorium is a tribute to Luke Perry.

Probably the most important episode of Riverdale we’ll do this year, if not ever. A tribute to our fallen friend. Thankful for this opportunity to honor Luke & Fred. — Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

There was nothing but love, memories and mourning for our beloved Luke as we honor him in our first episode back  ❤️  — Madchen Amick about the first table read.

The first week of filming the premiere.

The end of an intense week for our Riverdale family. Really emotional, beautiful work being done by the cast and crew — Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

Gabriel Correa directed the episode.

Lots of love this episode — KJ Apa on instagram.

The second week:

 

We will miss you forever Fred.

Perry died on March 4th at the age of 52 after suffering a massive stroke.

Related: Tribute to Beverly Hills 90210 & Riverdale’s Luke Perry Who Died Too Young at Age 52

Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and the other writers were too distraught to write Perry’s death into the final season 3 scripts.

Related: Riverdale Season 4 Premiere Will be a Tribute to Luke Perry & His Character Fred Andrews.

Production shut down in Vancouver for two days to give cast and crew some time to mourn and to figure out what to do.

A permanent In Memorium end-credit was added to the show and Perry’s character Fred Andrews went away on business for season 3’s remaining episodes.

Riverdale returns October 9th this Fall — at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays on The CW.