Having pulled the plug on a host of series this year, The CW continues to clear its decks with the announcement from CW president Mark Pedowitz that the live-action Archie Comics series Riverdale is coming to an end with its upcoming seventh season.
“Seven years is the right amount,” said Pedowitz (via Deadline) as The CW’s upfront presentation this week. “I am a big believer of giving series that have had a long run an appropriate send-off. We had a long conversation with Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] yesterday and he is thrilled with the decision. We are going to treat the show in the manner it deserves. It’s been an iconic pop culture star and we want to make sure that it goes out the right way.”
Riverdale joins a growing list of CW shows that have been axed lately, alongside DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, Naomi, Legacies, Dynasty, Charmed, Roswell, New Mexico, In The Dark, and 4400.
It’s also more bad news for Riverdale star KJ Apa, with the Archie Andrews actor losing a second gig just days after it was announced that Warner Bros. has pulled the plug on its planned DC movie Wonder Twins, where he would have played one half of the titular alien superheroes alongside Isabel May (1883).
“I’m sad to be saying goodbye to Riverdale next season, to our sets, to our crew, to our producers, to our CW family but I can speak for everyone, for Cammy, Cole, Lili and the rest of our cast that we are so grateful for everyone’s support,” said Apa. “To the fans, without the fans, none of this would be be possible. I can’t say I’d miss dying my hair every week, I’m looking forward to being myself again, but I promise you guys, this last season, we are going to end it with a bang, and we can’t wait to share it with you.”
The seventh and final season of Riverdale will premiere in midseason, with Apa returning alongside co-stars Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge and Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones.
