Riverdale paid tribute to Luke Perry in an emotional episode where his character Fred Andrews was killed off, following the actor’s death.
In the season four premiere titled In Memoriam, Riverdale opened the episode with Fred’s son Archie (KJ Apa) receiving a phone call from police inside Pop’s Diner, before he drops his phone and falls to his knees.
Back in his home, FP Jones (Skeet Ulrich) tells Archie and his mother how Fred Andrews (Luke Perry) was travelling back to Riverdale.
He tells them how Fred decided to stop and help a motorist on the side of the road, only for him to be killed in a hit and run while assisting the stranger.
While Archie is initially determined to find his father’s killer, he was talked down by FP. Instead the episode saw characters reminisce about Fred’s influence on their early years, before Archie goes to the site of the hit and run where they find his dad’s truck.
At the site they also find the woman who Fred had assisted on the side of the road, played by Luke’s former Beverly Hills 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty, who had arrived to place flowers. She revealed how Fred had saved her life by pushing her out of the way of the incoming car.
A funeral for Fred takes place later in the episode, seeing characters Archie, Jughead (Cole Sprouse), Kevin (Casey Cott), and more carry his casket, while a moving rendition of Amazing Grace plays out.
A number of characters, including Betty (Lili Reinhart), place roses on the casket in the emotional scene, as the camera cuts back to a photo of Luke’s character sitting on top.
The show was forced to write out Luke Perry’s character after the actor died aged 52 in March this year from a stroke.
A number of the Riverdale cast posted messages on social media to commemorate Luke, with Lili Reinhart writing: ‘Tonight’s episode, and all episodes for the rest of our run, are for Luke.
‘We love, honor, and cherish his memory every single day. I only wish he were here to see how many lives he touched with happiness and laughter. I know he’s watching from above. We love you, Luke.’
Madelaine Petsch, who plays Cheryl in the show, wrote: ‘He was always so generous and supportive and patient with my learning and growing through some of the most formative years of my life.
‘I am so lucky to have known you Luke. You were one of a kind and impacted everyone’s lives in such a meaningful way.’
Show creator Roberto Aguirre Sacasa wrote: ‘Tonight Season 4 of #Riverdale premieres. With an episode that honors our friend Luke.
‘It’s an episode bursting with sadness, but even more so with love. I’m humbled by the outstanding work everyone did on it. I hope you like it, Luke. We miss you every day.’
Riverdale airs Wednesdays in the US on channel The CW, and releases on Netflix Thursdays in the UK.
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