The live action series based on Archie Comics, Riverdale, is to finally end with Season 7 premiering in 2023.
The story of the live-action adaptation of our favorite Archie Comics characters is about to end in Season 7. Comicbookmovie reports that as the series is currently on its Season 6, the show is preparing Season 7 as its story wrap up.
CW CEO Mark Pedowitz stated as posted in Variety:
We had a long conversation with [Riverdale Executive Producer and Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa], who’s thrilled by this news. And we’re going to treat the show in the manner it deserves. It was an iconic pop culture star, and we want to make sure it goes out the right way and that is the decision. I think they choose that seven years is the right amount, and we want to do the right thing. That’s a personal thing. As a fan myself. I do want to do what’s right for the show.
Riverdale Final Season In 2023
Image: The CW
Following this statement is the assurance that the final season will not have a shortened count on its episodes.
KJ Apa, the actor playing the lead role Archie Andrews had this to say as Deadline quotes:
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 [Mendes], Cole [Sprouse], Lili [Reinhart] and the rest of our cast that we are so grateful for everyone’s support. […] 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.
While a lot of spectators can agree that creatively, 7 seasons of Riverdale will be a good run for a beloved show, there may be other factors that led to the decision.
First is the reported decline in viewership as the series progressed every year. As any live-action adaptation, there is the novelty that brings viewers in for the first years of the series. Comparing the actual adaptation to their idea of the characters they have so loved growing up, it can be polarizing for fans. There is the slight adjustment that some had to make to reconcile the differences of interpretation of the characters from the comics to the live action.
The dark tones of the series can also affect the impression of the general viewers. Long-time fans are used to thinking Archie comics as just fun, happy, lively and comic slices of life. A lot weren’t prepared for the seriousness of Riverdale from the first season. Even though there exists comics of darker tones for Archie, the property has always been known by readers to be more of a high school life comedy.
Riverdale Final Season In 2023
Image: The CW
Nevertheless, it still grew its own fanbase with the mystery and more mature content for the stories. We got to see different sides to Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, even Reggie. And recently, the more interesting fact that they have Sabrina on board the story for Season 6 as well.
Second is the recent company development into Warner Bros. Discovery which owns CW that in turn has the deal to stream the series in Netflix. Warner Bros. Discovery opts to put their high performing content on their own streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+.
Riverdale is the third series that got the Season Ending announcement from CW. The first two being Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow.
Currently on its 6th Season, KJ Apa as Archie Andrews is with the rest of the Riverdale cast Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones and Madelaine Petsch as Cherry Blossom.
