TheRiverdalefamily is still mourning the loss ofLuke Perry.
Perry, whodiedon March 4, five days aftersuffering a massive stroke, starred as Archie’s (KJ Apa) dad, Fred Andrews, on the CW show. He was an original cast member since season 1 and appeared in almost every episode of the series, which is currently in its third season.
In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said the show plans to address Perry’s death through his on-screen character, though no official decisions about how the narrative will unfold have been made yet.
“You know, honestly, we are I think all still in shock and are all still processing and grieving,” he admitted. “We know that we have to address it in some way, but we’re giving ourselves a little bit of time and space before we figure out the best way to honor him.”
The show, whichshut down productionafter Perry’s death, has since resumed filming in Vancouver, Canada. On Tuesday, Apa, 21, posted a selfie on Instagram while getting his hair and makeup done.
Aguirre-Sacasa toldETthat Perry’s “wise and vivacious” spirit will live on through the cast, crew and storyline of the show.
“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 continued. “There are still a few more episodes that have Luke in them, so we’re glad to share those. … We hope will infuse every episode, so in my mind, every episode for the rest of time onRiverdalewill have a bit of Luke in it.”
Diyah Pera/The CW
After Perry’s death, Aguirre-Sacasa and his fellow executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Jon Goldwater said the cast and crew were “deeply saddened.”
“A beloved member of theRiverdale,Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all,” they said in a statement. “A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.”
His costars have all sharedloving and touching tributeson social media, includingLili Reinhart, who channeled hergrief into poetry.
“When someone you love, gets taken from you. And the small circumferences surrounding you is stuck. Frozen in a moment. Of loss. And shock. Yet the people passing you are moving at full speed,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “Did they not feel the earth shake? Or slow? Can they hear the thoughts screaming in my head? His name. His face. Memories. Flashes. Of a friend. A lost friend.”
Lili Reinhart and Luke Perry.Lili Reinhart/Instagram
Reinhart, 22, also shared her feelings on Twitter, writing, “I’m finding it hard to grasp that he will no longer be around to give long hugs and share his wisdom and kindness with all of us … I just can’t believe it.”
Perry had a massive stroke and washospitalizedon Feb. 27 after paramedics were dispatched to his home in Sherman Oaks, California. The actor remained “under observation” for five days until his death. He was 52.
In lieu of flowers, the Perry family asks that donations be made toFight Colorectal CancerandSt. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
source: people.com
