When Riverdale returns to The CW on October 9, it will be to remember actor Luke Perry, who died unexpectedly during Season 3. The Season 4 premiere, titled `In Memoriam,` will feature a tribute to the late actor. During the show`s annual panel at San Diego Comic-Con, it was also revealed that Riverdale had enlisted another of Perry`s former colleagues, 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty.Doherty played Brenda Walsh, a love interest of Perry`s Dylan McKay, on the series. The two were also close friends. In fact, Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said in a statement that Perry had been hoping for Doherty to appear in the show since it began. `They were such good friends, and when we were putting together this tribute episode, we wanted to make it as special as possible, and so we asked Shannen to do a pivotal, super-emotional role. She read the script and immediately said `yes.` It`s very impactful,` he explained.According to Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead on the show, the various cast members getting to share scenes with Doherty was `very cathartic.` Being able to work with someone new to their world but so close to Perry was `beautiful` for them.In discussing the episode, Aguirre-Sacasa said taking time to craft a memorial to kick off Season 4 was the best way they could honor him. `We wanted it to be a very sort of a special episode--kind of stand-alone,` he explained. It will honor the character and his impact on the various characters and the town of Riverdale itself.The appearance by Doherty wasn`t the only news revealed in the panel. It was also announced that former Dawson`s Creek and The Fosters star Kerr Smith would be joining the cast as the new principal at Riverdale High, Mr. Hones. Aguirre-Sacasa described the character as `a bit of a hard-ass who takes a harder line with the students this year, especially with the seniors.` It`s about time someone puts these kids in their place.Riverdale returns for its third season on October 9.
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