KJ Apa Talks How Luke Perry's Absence Will Be Addressed on 'Riverdale' (Exclusive)
KJ Apa on How Luke Perry's Absence Will Be Addressed on 'Riverda…
Luke Bryan Narrates Katy Perry's Glam: And He's Clueless!
Gabby Barrett Explains How Luke Combs Reached Out to Collaborate…
'American Idol': Katy Perry and Luke Bryan Bicker Over His Jacke…
Luke Combs Shares How He Plans to Tackle Having Two Kids Under T…
Luke Bryan Promises 'Big' 'American Idol' Guest Judges During Co…
How Chris Stapleton Feels to Be Dolly Parton’s Favorite Collabor…
Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie Address Future as 'Idol…
Mama June Shares How She Found Love on TikTok (Exclusive)
Rosie O’Donnell on How She Helped Sherri Shepherd Negotiate Bett…
Rosie O’Donnell Reflects on How Her Theater Program Is Changing …
Will Poulter on Playing ‘Infant’ Adam Warlock in 'Guardians of t…
Sylvester Stallone's Daughters on How Their Dad Makes it ‘Intimi…
Jennifer Lopez Addresses Mom’s Past Comments on Wanting Her Back…
Breland on Shania Twain Collaboration, Touring and How She Inspi…
Jennifer Lopez’s 'The Mother' Co-Star Lucy Paez Shares Ben Affle…
Watch Kyle Richards Guest Star as a 'Fabulous' Celeb on 'How I M…
Jennifer Lopez Shares Words of Wisdom and Ultimate Wish for Her …
Katy Perry and Halle Bailey Embrace Iconic Disney Characters for…
In the wake of Luke Perry's untimely death, the late actor's Riverdale co-star and on-screen son, KJ Apa, is opening up about how the show will address Perry's passing.
The 21-year-old New Zealand actor caught up with ET's Leanne Aguilera, while promoting his upcoming Netflix romantic comedy, The Last Summer, and addressed the painful loss and how it will impact both the popular CW series and those who work on the show.
"His legacy is gonna live on in the lives around him, that he worked with, you know?" Apa shared. "I'm never gonna forget him and I think it's still very fresh and we're all still dealing with it."
Perry died on March 4 shortly after suffering a massive stroke. The actor was 52.
While the cast and crew mourn the loss of their friend and colleague, the show itself is still figuring out how to address Perry's death. The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum played Fred Andrews -- the father of Apa's Archie Andrews -- on the series, and he hasn't been officially written off the show.
Currently, Fred Andrews is out of town and his estranged wife, Mary Andrews (played by Molly Ringwald) is in town, essentially filling the narrative void. As it turns out, the show is still navigating the murky and unpleasant waters of how to proceed.
"We're definitely gonna obviously have to address it at some point," Apa admitted. "[Possibly] that [means] Molly stepping in as more of an active parent for Archie, but that all depends on the availability of the actors around us. So, you know, we'll do what we can."
Perry's last episode of Riverdale aired on Wednesday. His last scene was one in which he sweetly offered some fatherly advice to Archie. Yet, it's hard to say how the show will eventually address the situation. ET spoke with Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa last month, and he explained that he was still trying to process Perry's death.
"You know, honestly, we are, I think, all still in shock and are all still processing and grieving," he shared. "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."
Watch the video below to hear more.
Meanwhile, Apa's upcoming romantic comedy, The Last Summer, premieres on Netflix May 3.
RELATED CONTENT:
Luke Perry’s Daughter Sophie Announces a School in Malawi Will Be Named in Honor of Her Late Father
KJ Apa Somberly Discusses His 'Close Relationship' With TV Dad Luke Perry
Luke Perry's Final 'Riverdale' Episode: Fred's Last Scene With Archie
'Riverdale' Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Reveals This Week’s Episode Will Be Luke Perry’s Last
Related Gallery
