Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa details how the Riverdale season 6 finale will set up the show's endgame for the final season. While The CW has been heavily known for its Arrowverse shows, the network has also been home to another beloved comic book property for almost seven years. Outside their DC TV shows, The CW brought the Archie Comics universe to life through Riverdale, a gritty reimagination following Archie, Betty, Veronica, and several classic characters. Even though the last few years have taken some twisting turns, Riverdale season 6 took it to a new level.
Following the Rivervale 5-episode event, Riverdale season 6 began by introducing superpowers into The CW's Archieverse. While they are still seeking answers, the Riverdale characters have been busy tackling the latest, and perhaps biggest threat the town has ever faced. This year, Percival Pickens has become the gang's latest antagonist, as his power of persuasion is threatening Riverdale's future. While season 6 is close to its end, Riverdale season 7 is coming but will serve as The CW drama's final one.
With the news that Riverdale season 7, which will not arrive until 2023, will wrap up the series, season 6 will without a doubt set up the final season. In a new interview with TVLine, showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa opened up on Riverdale's pending end and how it all came about. While discussing the decision for Riverdale season 7 to be the show's final year, Aguirre-Sacasa promised that the upcoming season 6 finale will take a "big swing" to setup up the show's final run, sharing the following:
"It came out of conversations with the studio and The CW and [CEO] Mark Pedowitz. When we were renewed for Season 7, though we weren’t told at the time it’d be our final season, I think we were all feeling that it might be. When Mark and I talked about it… it was bittersweet. That said, we are so proud of the run we’ve had, and the call did come as we were working on the last episode of Season 6. We were debating on what the final beats of that episode would be and torn between a very big swing and a quieter ending. And it definitely emboldened us to go for the big swing for Season 7. It’s really exciting."
Even though Riverdale season 6 is already getting the show into its craziest year yet, things are far from over. Following her Riverdale debut during Rivervale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Kiernan Shipka is officially set to return one more time as Sabrina Spellman. Whether or not Shipka is playing Sabrina of the Rivervale or Riverdale universe remains to be seen. Given how powerful Percevial has gotten, it wouldn't be shocking if Sabrina comes to the gang's aid in the 11th hour, especially as Cheryl Blossom has been growing as a witch.
While little is known about Riverdale season 7, the writing was on the wall for a while that the show was getting ready to end. Several cast members, including Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart, had made it very clear that as their contracts are up after Riverdale season 7, they were seeing next year as the natural finish point. It remains to be seen if the end of Riverdale will mark the conclusion to that universe or if they may try to do a spinoff or two. However, given the major shake-up going on with The CW, resulting in several CW shows being canceled, Riverdale season 7 will likely be the end of the franchise when it premieres in 2023.
Source: TVLine