According to the synopsis for the Riverdale Season 5 premiere, someone's "major secret" will come to light just in time for Riverdale High School's Prom.
The opening sentence of the synopsis brings audiences up to speed on Betty and Jughead's investigation of the mysterious "auteur" who's been making increasingly disturbing videotapes -- including one that appears to show an actual murder taking place. Their quest to find the culprit will see them uncover the existence of an underground society for "red-band screenings" in Riverdale.
The next sentence reveals Archie will agree to participate in a boxing exhibition, in the hopes of impressing the visiting Naval Academy Commandment. Earlier this month, Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa hinted at a new career for Archie on social media with an image of the character dressed in a fireman's outfit. However, it's unclear whether this moment is from before or after Riverdale's seven-year time jump, which won't take place until a few episodes into Season 5.
The synopsis ends with a mention of Cheryl getting ready for Prom, only to discover Toni has been hiding a "major secret" from her. Riverdale's Vanessa Morgan, who plays Toni, recently announced that her real-life pregnancy will be incorporated into a Season 5 storyline.
RIVERDALE
Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-14, DLSV) (HDTV)
PROM NIGHT INTERRUPTED — Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead’s (Cole Sprouse) investigation into the auteur leads them to the discovery of a secret underground for red-band screenings. Elsewhere, in order to impress the visiting Naval Academy Commandant, Archie (KJ Apa) agrees to participate in a boxing exhibition against another candidate – KO Kelly (guest star Zane Holtz). Meanwhile, as Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) prepares for prom, she stumbles upon a major secret that Toni’s (Vanessa Morgan) been keeping from her. Camila Mendes, Mädchen Amick, Mark Consuelos, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, Vanessa Morgan and Drew Ray Tanner also star. Pamela Romanowsky directed the episode written by Ace Hasan & Greg Murray (#501). Original airdate 1/20/2021.
In addition to the synopsis, an eerie Riverdale Season 5 motion poster was unveiled, featuring Archie, Betty Jughead and Veronica. The season's official plot summary has also teased an "epic Senior Prom" and "bittersweet Graduation," before the series jump ahead to the characters' lives in their mid-twenties.
Riverdale stars K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Casey Cott as Kevin Keller, Mark Consuelos as Hiram Lodge, Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle, Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz, Mädchen Amick as Alice Cooper and Erinn Westbrook as Tabitha Tate. The series returns for Season 5 on Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
Source: The CW