In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Riverdale star KJ Apa – who portrays the show’s lead Archie Andrews on The CW drama – revealed that he signed a multi-year deal, apparently confirming that the show will be on the air for just a little longer.
According to the outlet, the 22-year-old actor wouldn’t get into the specifics of his Riverdale contract, which he said is the same for all the show’s leads, but shared that he’ll be on Riverdale for at least the next three years. Apa is currently promoting the film I Still Believe, based on the true story of Christian musician Jeremy Camp, who lost his wife to ovarian cancer in 2001.
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Riverdale, which premiered in 2017, is based on the characters from the Archie Comics and was officially renewed for a fifth season earlier this year. As well as Apa, Riverdale‘s main stars include Cole Sprouse, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes and Madelaine Petsch.
Last week, Riverdale‘s production fo season four was suspended due to ongoing health and safety concerns.
“The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews is always our top priority. We have and will continue to take precautions to protect everyone who works on our productions around the world. Out of an abundance of caution, production on Riverdale is currently suspended,” Warner Bros. Television said in a statement, obtained by Entertainment Weekly.
It is unknown when cast, staff and crew can return to their Vancouver sets to resume Riverdale‘s production at this time.
The news from Apa also comes after Skeet Ulrich, who plays Jughead’s dad FP Jones and Marisol Nichols who plays Veronica’s mother Hermione Lodge both announced they are leaving the show after four seasons.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the friendships I’ve made on Riverdale, and I will miss seeing everyone on a daily basis,” Ulrich said in a statement. “I’m proud to have been part of such a talented group of people, in front of the camera and behind. But I’ve decided that it’s time for me to move on to explore other creative opportunities.”
“I had an incredible time bringing Hermione Lodge to life and working with my amazing cast, who became family,” the actress said in a statement to TVLine. “We had so many wonderful times together during the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We really do have the best fans ever. I am looking forward to the next chapter and am excited about the future.”