A new trailer for Riverdale season 4 has been released, teasing further madness for the characters in their senior year. Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Riverdale is loosely based on the world and characters of Archie Comics. Offering an angsty, Twin Peaks-lite take on the source material, the first season proved to be a surprising smash hit - garnering positive reviews and a hugely passionate fanbase. The show’s reception has lessened somewhat in its proceeding three seasons but was confidently renewed for a fourth season. It won’t be the only offering of this particular world hitting screens this year, with a Katy Keene spin-off also confirmed and having had its own trailer released.
Alongside Sprouse, Riverdale stars K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, Camila Mendes as his on-again-off-again love Veronica Lodge, and Lili Reinhart as his best friend Betty Cooper. After solving the mystery of the Gargoyle King and confronting the twisted machinations of Penelope Blossom, season 3 concluded with a huge flashforward cliffhanger. The scene featured Archie, Veronica, and Betty in the woods, bloodied and burning their clothes - including Jughead’s famous beanie hat. The trio vowed to go their separate ways in order to maintain an ominous secret and prevent themselves from being caught. The first season 4 teaser was released last month and centered on the mysterious disappearance of Jughead (Cole Sprouse).
Fresh out of New York Comic-Con, Warner Bros. released a full, official trailer of the upcoming season. Kicking off seemingly way before the aforementioned cliffhanger, normalcy has been somewhat restored to the town of Riverdale, with the core foursome arranging a camping trip for what could be their final year together. Unfortunately, the gang’s sense of peace inevitably fails to last - with Archie receiving word of his father’s death. Luke Perry, who played Fred Andrews in the series, tragically passed away in real life earlier in the year. It was previously announced that Riverdale would deal with Perry’s passing head-on. The trailer, however, offers fans their first glimpse at how that will unfold, with a memorial being held for the Andrews patriarch and Archie establishing a youth center/boxing club in his honor. Check it out below:
The rest of the trailer is dedicated to its usual heady mix of sex (including a nod to Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy), teen angst, and dysfunctional family dynamics. That’s especially true of The Lodges and The Coopers, with Veronica still at odds with her vengeful father and Betty spotted on a gun-toting mission with her mother. There is also no shortage of surreal behavior - with even an ouija board session dedicated to communicating with a creepy sailor doll named Julian. Yes, you heard that correct. Equally, mysteries will continue to permeate the show, most notably surrounding FBI agent and Betty’s supposed half-brother, Charles. Season 4 will also see Sam Witwer join the show as a mysterious new teacher.
The trailer will no doubt leave fans eager to see which characters make it to the end of their senior year and what becomes of the show if/when they head off to college. Still, the tributes to Perry will likely be the most impactful parts of the trailer and will no doubt hit fans the hardest within the episodes themselves. Perry’s friend and former co-star, Shannen Doherty will be a part of the tribute. With the first episode titled ‘In Memoriam’, it’s probably safe to say their won’t be a dry eye in the house - on and off-screen.
More: What To Expect From Riverdale Season 4
Riverdale season 4 premieres October 9 on The CW.
Source: Warner Bros
