Riverdale will address Luke Perry's death on screen

From Digital Spy

Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has opened up about how the series is planning to address the death of cast member Luke Perry.

Perry, who played Fred Andrews on the show, tragically passed away at age 52 earlier this month after suffering a stroke.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Aguirre-Sacasa said the Riverdale cast and crew are "still in shock and are all still processing and grieving".

The showrunner added that concrete plans had not been made yet as to how they would address Perry's passing on the show, but would do so through his on-screen character.

"We know that we have to address it in some way," he said. "But we’re giving ourselves a little bit of time and space before we figure out the best way to honour him."

Perry will be greatly missed by the rest of the cast and crew, although Aguirre-Sacasa insisted his spirit will live on.

"When I was with the crew, I said, 'It will never be the same', and that’s true because Luke was such a part of the show." he added. “There are still a few more episodes that have Luke in them, so we’re glad to share those.

"His spirit – which was so generous and wise and vivacious – we hope will infuse every episode, so in my mind, every episode for the rest of time on Riverdale will have a bit of Luke in it."

Riverdale is currently airing its third series. The first episode to air after his passing featured an In Memoriam title card for the actor at the end of the show.

Before it aired, Aguirre-Sacasa had tweeted: "Going through pictures on my way to set. From the early days. With Luke in the middle. Our heart, always.

"Tonight’s episode of #Riverdale finds Fred doing what he does best – helping Archie. It is dedicated to Luke, as all episodes will be for the rest of our run."

Riverdale airs on The CW in the US and Netflix in the UK.

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