Fans are already looking forward to Riverdale season 4, so here's what we know so far about its premiere date and story. The CW renewed Riverdale for a fourth season at the start of 2019, and it's expected to run for 22 episodes, the same as the second and third seasons.
Riverdale season 3 focused on the mysterious Gargoyle King and the role-playing game of Griffins and Gargoyles, which consumed the town and led to a serious of strange deaths. While that was going on, Archie and his friends also had to contend with a sinister cult called The Farm, as well as the criminal dealings of Veronica's father, Hiram Lodge, who put a target on Archie's back and had him sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. There was also real-world tragedy during Riverdale season 3 when Luke Perry, who played Fred Andrews, passed away in March 2019.
The Archie Comics-based show has been a hit for The CW, and Riverdale already has a sister show on Netflix, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, as well as upcoming spinoff Katy Keene, starring Lucy Hale and Ashleigh Murray. Here's what we know so far about Riverdale season 4.
Last updated: June 17, 2019
Riverdale Season 4 Premiere Date
Riverdale season 4 premieres on Wednesday, October 9. This premiere date falls in line with the previous two seasons; season 3 debuted on October 10, 2018 and season 2 on October 11 in 2017. After premiering in early October, Riverdale season 4 should run (with a few hiatuses) through to May 2020.
Riverdale Season 4 Story Details
Riverdale's season 3 finale is a culmination of the show's first three seasons, with Jason Blossom (season 1), The Black Hood (season 2), and the Gargoyle King (season 3) all playing a role in the unfolding mystery. That means that Riverdale season 4 may be something of a fresh start - though no less dark. The season 3 finale concluded with a chilling glimpse of the future, during spring break of senior year, with Archie, Bettie, and Veronica covered in blood and gathered around a fire, where they were burning their clothes and Jughead's hat. Betty then made everyone vow that, after graduating, they would go their separate ways and never speak of that night again.
Speaking to EW, showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa confirmed that Luke Perry's death will be dealt with in season 4, and that Fred Perry will indeed be killed off on the show (rather than sent on a long business trip). The loss of his father will undoubtedly have a major impact on Archie's life, and Betty is also dealing with family matters, due to the arrival of her long-lost brother, Charles. Aguirre-Sacasa teased, "one thread we’re going to pick up with is the idea that Betty... has the serial killer gene, and that’s a story line that we’re going to continue into season 4, and Charles will have a part of that."