Riverdale, the popular American teen drama series, is set to end after its seventh and final season. The show, which first premiered in 2017, has gained a massive following since its debut, thanks to its interesting characters, dramatic plotlines, and dark twists. As the show comes to a close, fans are left wondering why Riverdale is ending, and why now. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the decision to end Riverdale, what to expect from the final season, and whether we can expect any spin-offs.
So why is this the final Riverdale season?
The decision to end Riverdale was not made overnight. According to Mark Pedowitz, CW Chairman, and CEO, "I am a big believer in attempting to give series that have had long runs an appropriate sendoff." During an executive call, he mentioned that they had a long conversation with showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who was thrilled by the news. Pedowitz said, "We want to make sure it goes out the right way [...] I think they, too, felt that seven years is the right amount. As a fan myself, I do want to do what is right for the show."
It's clear that the decision was made with the show's best interests in mind, and it's good to know that the series will have a proper ending. After all, it's better to end on a high note than to drag on aimlessly. Riverdale has already had a long run, with the actors playing high schoolers, then adults, and then high schoolers again. It's time to move on.
The exact number of episodes in the final season hasn't been announced yet, but Pedowitz said "not shortened," so it seems that the final season will have the same number of episodes as the previous ones. Season 1 had 13 episodes, but every subsequent Riverdale season had 19-22.
What to expect from the final season?
Riverdale's seventh and final season will be taking the characters to the 1950s, thanks to some alternate universe/time travel shenanigans. Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has said, "Thank god the '50s were as crazy as they were, because it's been so fun to be in that world. Every season we explore the tropes of a specific genre, be it supernatural, be it pulp, be it crime. This year our genre is the 1950s, so we're in dialogue with the American myth of what the 1950s were versus the reality."
The final season's biggest struggle will be the characters trying to live authentic individualistic lives during a time period where that was really hard to do. The season 7 trailer shows the characters navigating the challenges of the 1950s, complete with sock-hop dances, diners, and car races.
Will there be any more Riverdale spin-offs?
Katy Keene, a Riverdale spin-off, did not perform well, and Netflix cancelled The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. But that doesn't mean the end of the Archie-verse on The CW or elsewhere. Shows like Charmed, The Vampire Diaries with The Originals and Legacies, and even Pretty Little Liars with Original Sin have been revived or continued in some form. It's possible that we'll see more from the Riverdale universe in the future.
Conclusion
Riverdale has had a successful run, and its final season promises to be an entertaining and fitting sendoff for the show. While fans may be sad to see it go, it's always better to end a series on a high note than to drag it out past its prime. The seventh season will take us back to the 1950s, and the characters will face their biggest struggle yet: trying to live authentic lives during a time when that was difficult to do.
FAQs
- When did the final season of Riverdale premiere?
- The seventh and final season premiered on The CW in January 2022.
- What genre is the seventh season of Riverdale exploring?
- The seventh season is exploring the 1950s genre.
- Why is Riverdale ending?
- Mark Pedowitz, CW Chairman and CEO, believes that the show has had a good run and that it's time to move on.