Sophia Michaels
CW’s “Riverdale” first premiered in 2017 and has since gained a loyal fanbase. Unfortunately, the CW announced in May 2022 that the show’s seventh season, which premieres on March 29, will be its last. The show follows the characters of Archie Comics as they navigate the mysteries and evil forces in their hometown of Riverdale after a murder takes place. It is led by KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, and Cole Sprouse.
So why is “Riverdale” ending after season 7? CW CEO and Network Chairman Mark Pedowitz shared that the reason is simple: it’s run its course, and its creator, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, agrees. Pedowitz said in a May 2022 statement (via Newsweek), “We had a long conversation with Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] yesterday, who is thrilled by this news, and we will treat the show in the manner it deserves . . . We want to make sure it goes out the right way. I am a big believer in attempting to give series that have had long runs an appropriate sendoff. I think they, too, felt that seven years is the right amount. As a fan myself, I do want to do what is right for the show.”
The cast of “Riverdale” have all expressed that the show ending is going to be a tough pill to swallow because of how close they’ve become. Apa spoke with ET shortly after it was announced the show was ending in May 2022, saying, “I feel sad, you know, it’s going to be really hard to say goodbye to Archie, to Riverdale, to the sets, to our crew . . . We’ve created so many memories on this show, for both ourselves and for the fans, so it’s going to be hard.” Mendes shared a heartfelt reaction to the news on Twitter in May 2022, writing, “One more season to deliver the ending you all deserve. So much love for all the fans who were here since day one and never left. wouldn’t have made it this far without you!!”
Meanwhile, while Sprouse is grateful for having starred in “Riverdale,” he admitted it was about time to “wrap [the show] up with a bow” so the cast could move on to different projects and grow as actors before its cancellation was even finalized. Reinhart told ET in October 2022 that “Riverdale” ending has a “bittersweet feeling to it.” She remains protective of the show, having called out haters in a March 2023 Instagram Story.
