'Riverdale' to address Luke Perry's death, says executive producer

The producer talks honoring the late star and handling his death.

March 19, 2019, 10:49 AM

Two weeks after Luke Perry's death at 52, "Riverdale's" executive producer says the loss will be addressed on the show. They're just not yet quite certain how.

At an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences event for the CW's "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" in Los Angeles on Sunday, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa told Entertainment Tonight, "You know, honestly, we are I think all still in shock and are all still processing and grieving."

He continued, "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."

Perry played Archie's father, Fred Andrews, on "Riverdale."

"Luke was, is, and will always be a big part of 'Riverdale,'" Aguirre-Sacasa said. "We’re kind of a family and when a loss like this happens, you carry it always. It changes and it hopefully becomes a little less painful as time goes by, but you’re changed."

Aguirre-Sacasa said he also addressed the crew about the loss in an honest, but emotional way.

"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.”

After his death, so many spoke out not about the actor Perry was, but the man he was off camera.

"His spirit -- which was so generous and wise and vivacious -- we hope will infuse every episode, so in my mind, every episode for the rest of time on 'Riverdale' will have a bit of Luke in it."

'Riverdale' airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.