‘Riverdale’ Ending With Season 7

It’s official: The CW’s hit Riverdale will end with its seventh — and final — season, bringing the saga of sexy (former) teens and sexier murders to a sure to be explosive finish. The news was just announced in advance of The CW’s Upfront presentation and executive call.

First premiering in 2017, the Archie Comics inspired show was a near-instantaneous social hit, thanks to a fresh, young cast including KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse, Camila Mendes, Madelaine Petsch, Ashleigh Murray and Casey Cott; as well as the “adult” cast including beloved actors Mädchen Amick, Skeet Ulrich, Marisol Nichols and Luke Perry. From outrageous murders, to viral moments (who can forget Jughead’s “I’m a weirdo” speech?), the first season captured attention and spawned a multitude of parodies.

It wasn’t until the second season, though, that the show also became a verified ratings hit. Thanks to The CW’s former deal with Netflix, the show became a binge-worthy obsession in season 2, and broadcast ratings grew exponentially, turning a viral show into a global phenomenon.

Over the past six seasons, the Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa created series has included everything from candy drug fueled role playing games, to organ stealing/rocket building cult leaders, to inbred hillbillies posing as aliens, to witchcraft and sacrifices galore. It’s also created many more human, romantic moments, thanks to its many couples, and changed the way people think about the previously thought to be stodgy Archie characters for good.

If you’re already in mourning over the Town With Pep, though, don’t worry: there’s still plenty more Riverdale to go. Including the currently running sixth season, which will air its fifteenth (of a reported 22) episode this Sunday, there’s also still the seventh (and did we mention: final?) season to go. Who will live? Who will die? Which couples finally, for real will be endgame? We’ll all find out when the final season airs in 2023.