CW’s “Riverdale” featured an emotional goodbye to Luke Perry, patriarch Fred Andrews, in Wednesday’s season premiere.
Last season’s production schedule meant “Riverdale” was unable to address Perry’s shocking March death following a massive stroke at age 52, and likewise Fred’s departure from the series.
The Season 4 premiere, featuring an appearance by Perry’s fellow “Beverly Hills, 90210” alum Shannen Doherty, tackled the official farewell.
But cast members paid respect to the beloved Perry in advance and afterwards.
Skeet Ulrich, who plays F.P. Jones, posted a photograph of Perry’s beloved baseball cap on Instagram before Wednesday’s premiere.
“This was Luke’s favorite hat…he left it on my kitchen counter a week before he passed,” wrote Ulrich. “We talked several times that week about getting it back to him. Luke, you left WAY more than a hat! We miss you and keep you in our hearts every single day. Thank you for all you gave the world, tonight is for you.”
Shannen Doherty on shooting ‘Riverdale’: ‘Very, very hard and emotional’
All about the actual episode: How ‘Riverdale’ says goodbye to Fred Andrews (and Luke Perry)
“We miss you everyday Luke,” tweeted Madelaine Petsch, who plays Cheryl Blossom. “Tonight is the season premiere of ‘Riverdale’ season 4 and also our episode honoring our beloved Luke. Every single person who works on this show put their heart and soul into this episode.”
Shannen Doherty will pay tribute: Star says it was, ‘Very, very hard and emotional’
“Tonight, #Riverdale season 4 premieres and it is the most important episode we’ve ever filmed,” Lili Reinhart, who plays Betty Cooper, tweeted Monday. “A tribute to our friend and father Luke Perry. Please tune in if you can.”
After the show aired, Reinhart gave a series of tweets, including one featuring a broken heart emoticon.
“We love and honor you every single day, Luke. #Riverdale,” Reinhart wrote. “Fred Andrews will always be a part of #Riverdale.”
Doherty posted a photo from the episode on Instagram, adding “miss him.”
Camila Mendes, who plays Veronica Lodge, gave a preview just before the episode, calling it “a tribute to Luke and a farewell to Fred, a character that Luke portrayed with so much heart and soul.”
