What Luke Perry’s death will mean for hit shows

Luke Perry’s shock death has halted filming on his hit show and cast doubt on the future of a newly-announced 90210 reboot.

Production on TV series Riverdale has been suspended after the shock death of one of the show’s stars, actor Luke Perry.

The show, which films in Canada, has been halted for at least a day to give cast and crew a chance to mourn Perry’s death, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

When he suffered the “massive stroke” last week, Perry, 52, had been in Los Angeles working on the Netflix series Riverdale, an adaptation of the Archie comic books in which he plays Archie’s father Fred Andrews.

He was hospitalised the same day Fox announced it was rebooting Beverly Hills, 90210, featuring six of the stars from the hit series’ original 1990s run — though there was no confirmation Perry, who played Dylan McKay on the long-running show, would be part of the reboot.

Many of Perry’s original 90210 co-stars are set to return for an ‘irreverent’ six-part reboot.

His former co-stars Ian Ziering, Jason Priestley, Brian Austin Green, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth and Gabrielle Carteris are all returning for the new series, though it was understood Perry’s contractual obligations on Riverdale would have prevented him from being a series regular.

Previously, Spelling in an interview with Access Live said Perry intended to “do as many [episodes] as he can do”.

Fox said cast members would play “heightened versions” of themselves in a six-part series to air later this year.

Bringing a “healthy dose of irreverence” to the franchise’s previous teen drama focus, the reboot will reportedly focus on the cast’s real lives and relationships — suggesting Perry’s death may be acknowledged in some way.

The CW, Warner Bros Television and Riverdale executive producers said they were “deeply saddened” about the actor’s passing in a joint statement released to media today.

Luke Perry hated being a heartthrob and being compared to James Dean. Watch the video on our YouTube channel

Perry (top left) with his Riverdale co-stars. Picture: Rex Features/Splash News

“A beloved member of the Riverdale, Warner Bros. and CW family, Luke was everything you would hope he would be: an incredibly caring, consummate professional with a giant heart, and a true friend to all. A father figure and mentor to the show’s young cast, Luke was incredibly generous, and he infused the set with love and kindness. Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time.”

Perry’s Riverdale co-stars also expressed their grief.

“My heart is broken,” Molly Ringwald, who plays his on-screen wife, wrote on Twitter. “I will miss you so much Luke Perry. Sending all my love to your family.”

The Riverdale writers’ room also shared their condolences on social media, writing, “Luke Perry … you were a joyful and vibrant soul. You will be missed but most certainly your legacy will be remembered forever. Rest in love and peace, friend.”

Life of Luke Perry: In pictures

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