This interview contains spoilers for Riverdale’s Season 4 premiere, “In Memoriam.”
Following the tragic death of Luke Perry earlier this year, Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa faced the painful task of having to write his character, Fred Andrews, off the CW drama while also paying tribute to the actor in the Season 4 premiere, “In Memoriam.” During a screening for the episode, Aguirre-Sacasa told reporters how the emotional story came together.
SAYING GOODBYE
In an episode sure to bring a few tears to viewers’ eyes, “In Memoriam” clearly reflects the cast and creative team’s real-life love for Perry. Aguirre-Sacasa said the writers purposefully chose not to address Perry’s death during the third season, preferring to take their time to craft a story worthy of Fred Andrews and Perry’s legacy: “Very early on we landed on the idea that Fred should have a heroic death and that that would be impactful for Archie and it felt like that’s a way that Fred could have gone.”