Riverdale: Everything we know about season 5 so far

The fifth season of Riverdale premieres on The CW in less than a week. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming season.

Riverdale is one of the most complex series on The CW with its twisting plotlines, extensive characters, and ominous deliverance of events. When it first premiered back in 2017, the series was haunted by the mysterious murder of Jason Blossom, Cheryl Blossom’s  (Madeline Petsch) twin brother, who, it was later revealed was involved in a dangerous drug ring.  During this tense situation throughout the season, several other characters were pooled with their own drama and teen turbulences.

Seasons two and three amplified the foreboding criminal and cult storylines, while season four centered on the characters’ senior year without drifting away from its dark roots. It was also a season of self-discovery and reflection.

Archie did have to say goodbye to his father, Fred (Luke Perry), whose funeral took place in the season 4 premiere. The writing had to be incorporated with Perry’s own death as he died from a massive stroke six months prior to its air date. “In Memoriam” was a beautiful tribute to remember Fred Andrews and Perry as a whole.

With each new season of Riverdale, the narratives and storylines became grimmer and steeper. It looks like that darkness will continue to loom over the show in season five, just with the characters having matured into adulthood. Thanks to the time skip, most of them will be leading different lives when the series picks up again.

But let’s be honest: Nobody is truly free from their past on Riverdale.

The upcoming fifth season will have new cast additions (and will say goodbye to some original cast members), as well as a significant time jump. It will wrap up some season four storylines, since COVID-19 impacted filming last year, and keep the dismal and dark narrative. And let’s not forget the eerie poster.

So, what else do we know about the upcoming season of Riverdale so far?

Transitioning from season 4 to season 5

As far as plot details go, we know the first few episodes of Riverdale‘s fifth season will continue to focus on the characters as high school seniors. Archie Andrews and the gang will attend their prom, go through graduation, and tie up a few loose ends from season four. Season four ran a little short in terms of episodes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated production halts. The beginning of season five will bring fans the remaining episodes and wrap up the mysterious “auteur” plotline.

An official synopsis for season five’s premiere was released by The CW:

"“‘Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax’ Plot: PROM NIGHT INTERRUPTED — Betty (Reinhart) and Jughead’s (Sprouse) investigation into the auteur leads them to the discovery of a secret underground for red-band screenings. Elsewhere, in order to impress the visiting Naval Academy Commandant, Archie (Apa) agrees to participate in a boxing exhibition against another candidate – KO Kelly (guest star Zane Holtz).Meanwhile, as Cheryl (Petsch) prepares for prom, she stumbles upon a major secret that Toni’s (Morgan) been keeping from her.”"

It seems like Archie has plenty on his plate as he juggles his future possibilities and the remainder of his senior year. The Naval Academy will give him a sense of pride, purpose, and security, so the pressure for admittance is evident. Will it cause a rift in his relationship with Veronica though? It certainly seems that way, especially with the news that Veronica’s husband has been cast for the post-time-jump episodes.

As for couple Cheryl and Toni, any guesses on what the major secret might be?

The Trailer

The trailer for season five mixes good with evil. It doesn’t entirely focus on one specific event. It creates a near hypnotic force to pull the viewer in, leaving them wanting more. From the looks of things, though, everyone has some sort of issue that they must settle before moving on to their next life chapter.

Watch the official trailer here:

How good do they all look in their prom attire? It may be the last happy occasion of their teenage years, so they might as well make the best of it and enjoy the event that they worked so hard for.

New characters and cast upgrades

Skeet Ulrich and Marisol Nichols will be retiring their roles of Sheriff FP Jones and Hermione Lodge after the first three episodes, as both are leaving the show.

There will be new talent added to the cast lineup and they will have significant roles.

Erinn Westbrook has been cast as Tabitha Tate, the granddaughter of Pop Tate. She’s got an entrepreneurial personality and hopeful plans to maneuver her grandfather’s diner into a franchise. It will be ruled as a challenge because the town of Riverdale is in financial duress and is in survivor mode.

Then we have Chris Mason. Mason has been billed to portray Chad Gekko, the controlling and distrusting husband of Veronica Lodge. Furthermore, he has a lucrative job as a Wall Street banker, so assumptions are that Veronica has moved away from Riverdale and now resides in Manhattan.

Lastly (for now), Drew Ray Tanner will continue his role as Fangs Fogarty (a former Serpent member) and has been promoted to a series regular.

The time jump

After the first three episodes, Riverdale season five will throw in a seven-year time jump. All the characters will be in their mid-twenties with new ambitions to achieve. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) will be a graduate of Yale (presumably) with a new girlfriend. Archie will join the U.S. Armed Forces, and there will be a pregnancy storyline for Toni Topaz that was written in due to Vanessa Morgan’s real-life pregnancy.

Yet, according to the “Climax” synopsis, Toni’s pregnancy might come sooner rather than later.

Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) will endure a new romance as well, and fans are wondering whether that romance will be Archie, as the two shared a kiss last season.

But don’t think that they will get away with the kiss scot-free. Both of their partners (Veronica and Jughead) will soon find out about it, according to showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

Something happens in Riverdale that brings the gang back together and they must get past it in order to continue on with their lives. What that is hasn’t been revealed just yet.

Season 5’s key poster

The new season’s chilling theme is apparent, even just looking at the key poster released by The CW. It’s clear the gang has transitioned into adulthood, but as mentioned, their past will be unearthed at what is supposed to be a turning point in their lives. That’s probably why the poster mentions “Redemption,” “Rebirth,” and “Renewal.”

Check out the eerie poster for yourself:

The Premiere Date

The fifth season of Riverdale will premiere on The CW on Wednesday, January 20 at 8 p.m. ET.

Are you looking forward to season five of Riverdale?  What are your thoughts or concerns about the new episodes? Voice them in the comments section!