It’s always a long summer waiting for new episodes of Riverdale.
For a series geared towards the teenage market, it sure features a lot of dark themes.
Related: 73 Couples We’ll Happily Go To Hell Shipping
Maybe that’s what makes it so addictive.
Either way, we’ve rounded up everything we know about Riverdale Season 4 below.
Remember you can watch Riverdale online right here via TV Fanatic.
Fred’s Fate Will Be Revealed
When Riverdale Season 3 closed with Fred on a business trip, fans questioned how Luke Perry’s death will be addressed on-screen. Series showrunner Roberto Aguire Sacassa revealed to Entertainment Weekly following the season finale that it would be dealt with during Season 4.
“I would be so grateful if you make it clear that we are 100% going to deal with Fred’s death,” he said.
“We didn’t want to rush into that at the end of the season and give it short shrift or not make that story as great and emotional as it needs to be to honor both the character and the actor. I think that’s going to be a big part of Archie’s journey next season, honestly.”
The Season 4 Premiere Will be a Tribute to Luke Perry
Aguirre-Sacasa shared the above script tease alongside the following caption:
“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. ❤️🏆💎👨🏻💻”
Shannen Doherty Will Appear!
Perry’s former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty is slated to appear on Riverdale Season 4 Episode 1.
“They were such good friends, and when we were putting together this tribute episode, we wanted to make it as special as possible,” Roberto said at San Diego Comic Con.
“We asked Shannen to do a pivotal, super-emotional role. She read the script and immediately said yes. It’s very impactful.”
Molly Ringwald Will Be Back
Ringwald will be back as Archie’s mother, and will likely be sticking around on a more permanent basis.
Kerr Smith Has Joined the Cast
Life Unexpected alum, Kerr Smith is returning to The CW.
The popular actor has been cast as the new principal of Riverdale High, Mr. Honey.
He will first appear on Riverdale Season 4 Episode 2, and is described as “a bit of a hard-ass who takes a harder line with the students this year, especially with the seniors.”
Josie Is Leaving Riverdale Behind
Josie’s story on Riverdale is over, meaning she will not be featured during Season 4. But, the character’s storyline will continue on Katy Keene, a brand new Riverdale spin-off, which is slated to debut in early 2020. What’s more, the show will be set several years after Riverdale’s current timeline.
Sam Witwer Has Joined the Cast
TV Line reported in July 2019 that Witwer was joining the cast as Mr. Chipper, a teacher at a prep school.
“Handsome, bookish and cool, Mr. Chipping teaches creative writing at a prestigious prep school near Riverdale,” per the network’s official description.
“He recruits Jughead for his seminar, and while he’s eminently inspiring to his students, there’s a darkness hidden far beneath the surface.”
Jughead is Leaving Riverdale High
Jughead is leaving the confines of Riverdale behind. The young writer has landed a scholarship at a prestigious prep school, and will only be in Riverdale at the weekends.
“Jughead’s only in Riverdale on the weekends now. So his main story line is the prep school, which is the sort of building blocks of the whole flash-forward thing that we’re doing with season 4,” Cole said. “It’s kind of the focus of the mystery this season—this very strange, elitist prep school.”
How Did it Happen?
Aguirre-Sacasa revealed the truth at Comic-Con! “Jughead’s integration into it is based on this little story…well, the story of the Gargoyle King that he had submitted to this writing contest, and then a teacher being fascinated with his voice and taking him into the prep school. But I think it’s going to be fun to play with,” he dished. Oh yes, Riverdale is going full Gossip Girl.
Bughead Could Be in Trouble
As rumors continue to swirl about the fate of Lilli Reinhart and Cole Sprouse’s relationship IRL, Reinhart seemingly teased that a breakup for their characters could be on the way.
“If and when we break up on the show, I don’t know,” she said in an interview with W.
“It’s weird being with an actor. You deal with shit no one has to deal with.”WTF?!
How Many Episodes Have Been Ordered?
Like the previous two seasons, Riverdale Season 4 will span 22 episodes.
Will Veronica and Archie be Together?
With Archie losing his father, Veronica will be around for him, Camilla Mendes revealed at SDCC.
“Veronica will really step up as a girlfriend for Archie this season,” she said.
What’s the Big Mystery?
The third season finale flashed forward to Spring Break of senior year with Archie, Veronica, and Betty covered in blood. Betty tells the other two that they burn Jughead’s hat, finish school, go their separate ways and never speak of the night again. That’s the only way they get away with it, apparently.
While it strongly suggests that Jughead was murdered, we’re going to assume the teenagers murdered someone, and it was not Jughead. Maybe Jughead had to rush back to the prep school to make sure he is not a suspect.
When Does Season 4 Premiere?
Riverdale will return to The CW Wednesday, October 9 at 8/7c. It will be available in territories outside the U.S. on Netflix just one day later. Nancy Drew, a similarly toned teen drama will launch out of Riverdale on the same night, creating a dark and delicious night of teen drama action.
