Riverdale enlists Shannen Doherty for its Luke Perry tribute episode

ETonline

Doherty, Perry's former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star, will guest on the Season 4 premiere, but her appearance on The CW series had been in the works before Perry died in March. "Luke and Shannen were really, really good friends," showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa told ET over the phone last week. "Luke had talked to me on and off over the years about trying to find something for Shannen on the show and when we were putting together this special episode, we kind of wanted to include special people from Luke's life. There was a very emotional, important role and we sent the script to Shannen and she read it and loved it and said, 'I want to do it,' so it's about honoring their friendship a little bit. I know she was really moved when she read the script and immediately said yes." Cole Sprouse said during Riverdale's Comic-Con panel that having Doherty on set was "cathartic." On Instagram, Doherty wrote of appearing on Riverdale: "I am deeply honored to pay tribute to Luke on Riverdale. The care in which this show takes in honoring his memory is beautiful. He is missed. Today. Tomorrow. Forever."

ALSO:

• Riverdale kicked off its Comic-Con panel with a tribute to Luke Perry and Fred Andrews: "We suffered a huge, huge, huge loss and it’s something that we’re going to be feeling for as long as we’re lucky enough to keep making the show,” showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa told the crowd.
• Watch Riverdale's Season 3 blooper reel featuring Luke Perry
• Riverdale is finally doing a Halloween episode this season
• Dawson's Creek alum Kerr Smith will play Riverdale High's new principal, Mr. Honey