Luke Perryappeared inhis final episodeofRiverdalelast week, leaving fans wondering how the show was going to address the actor’s death in future episodes.
KJ Apa, who plays Perry’s onscreen son Archie in the hit CW series, opened up about the late actor and where the show goes next in a new interviewwithEntertainment Tonight.
“His legacy is gonna live on in the lives around him, that he worked with, you know?” the 21-year-old actor shared. “I’m never gonna forget him and I think it’s still very fresh and we’re all still dealing with it.”
“We’re definitely gonna obviously have to address it at some point,” he said. “Whether that’s Molly stepping in as more of an active parent for Archie — again, that depends on the availability of the actors around us. So we’ll do what we can.”
Diyah Pera/The CW
On Friday, Apareminisced about his close relationshipwith Perry during an appearance onThe Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
“It’s not every day you come across a guy like Luke,” he said. “Luke is the kind of person who did everything he can to make whoever you are, no matter how big or small you are, feel comfortable and feel welcome. It’s hard to kind of put into words how that makes me feel.”
Apa said the late actor treated him like a son while on set, making sure he always felt safe, comfortable and loved.
“He would call my parents every week and keep them updated on how I’m doing,” said Apa. “If I had a cold or something he’d be like, ‘I got him, I brought some Gatorade to his apartment the other day.’ “
“He made such a huge effort from the very beginning,” Apa continued. “I wish I could be like that.”
Perry was hospitalized aftersuffering a massive strokeon Feb. 27. TheBeverly Hills, 90210actordiedfive days later, on March 4. A source told PEOPLE henever regained consciousness. He was 52.
After news broke of Perry’s untimely death, Apa posted a touching to tribute to Instagram. He shared a photo of Perry smiling while riding on a boat with the caption, “Rest in love bro.”
“That’s my favorite photo of Luke,” Apa told Fallon. “I just think he’s in complete and utter peace in that photo. He’s living the dream.”
On last Wednesday’s episode ofRiverdale, Perryappeared inhis final moments on the show, during which his character Fred Andrews comforted Archie (Apa) after he was accused of committing a crime.
It’s not clear how Fred’s storyline will end, butRiverdaleshowrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa revealed that the episode wasthe last one that the actor filmed.
“This week’s #Riverdale is the last episode Luke filmed,” Aguirre-Sacasawrote on Twitteralongside a photo of Perry as Archie’s dad. “As always, Fred’s imparting words of wisdom to Archie. A beautiful, true moment between a father and his son.”
“Wish these scenes could go on forever…,” he added.
In March, Aguirre-Sacasa saidthe show plans to address Perry’s deaththrough his onscreen character, though no official decisions about how the narrative will unfold had been made at that time.
“You know, honestly, we are I think all still in shock and are all still processing and grieving,” he said. “We know that we have to address it in some way, but we’re giving ourselves a little bit of time and space before we figure out the best way to honor him.”
source: people.com
