Ashleigh Murray is set to make a triumphant return in the seventh season of the drama series Riverdale. Murray captured hearts with her portrayal of Josie McCoy in the cultural phenomenon series. This news comes after Murray had previously departed from Riverdale, stepping into the limelight in the spinoff Katy Keene, which unfortunately was not greenlit for continued production.
Making her departure after the third season of Riverdale, Murray's character, Josie, took her musical talents to New York City in the now-defunct Katy Keene. While her presence in Riverdale was sporadic following her departure, fans of the show can look forward to Murray's resurgence in the seventeenth episode of season seven.
This episode, christened Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Four: A Different Kind of Cat, is scheduled to hit television screens on August 2. It teases a tantalizing plot in which Josie flaunts her latest cinematic venture, joined by fan-favorite characters Veronica (Camila Mendes), Kevin (Casey Cott), and Clay (Karl Walcott).
The return of Ashleigh Murray, a beloved original cast member, is seen as a poignant farewell salute as Riverdale prepares to bow out after an engrossing seven-season run. Despite having captivated viewers around the world, the end of Riverdale was penned by The CW amidst waning ratings, marking an official end date on August 23.
The Evolution of Riverdale and Its Impact on Ratings
Riverdale's upcoming demise is part of a larger trend of scripted series cancelation by The CW. Other series that have fallen under the network's axe include The Winchesters, Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and Roswell, New Mexico.
This trend of cancelations signifies a significant shift in The CW's programming strategy, as the network seemingly moves toward sports broadcasting. This spells a potentially grim future for Riverdale and raises questions about any future iterations or spinoffs, which might need to find refuge in a different broadcasting environment or streaming platform, should they materialize. While the cancelation of several other CW shows was met with surprise, Riverdale's termination seems to be somewhat anticipated.
Struggling amidst Nexstar's takeover, The CW hits another low as Riverdale reaches record-low viewership in its final season. The latest musical episode garnered only 152k viewers, marking an all-time low for the long-running series. Despite seven seasons and over 100 episodes, the show, once at par with The Flash and Supernatural, faces non-renewal as the network grapples with continued troubles.
The cast had previously hinted at a desire to move beyond the ambit of the series, particularly considering the narrative complexity that has unfolded far beyond the original teenage drama mold.
From exploring themes as diverse as cults, superheroes, and even encounters with the devil, Riverdale has certainly pushed the envelope. Hence, the reintroduction of Murray's character in the final season can be seen as a full-circle moment for the series, serving as a nostalgic compass to guide Riverdale toward its anticipated conclusion.