Riverdale Season 5 is totally afoot as star Marisol Nichols reveals fun things in store upon its return in 2021. Nichols plays mother to Camila Mendes’ Veronica Lodge in the hit CW series.
Although the extra precautions and restrictions on set can feel “a little much” at times, Nichols happily reported that “the vibe is good” overall.
“Normally we’d be shooting in July. We didn’t start until the end of September, so I think everyone’s just kind of happy to be working again,” Nichols shared during a virtual video interview.
What is the truth behind Hermione Lodge’s exit in the series?
In February, it was reported that both Nichols and Skeet Ulrich will depart from Riverdale after the drama’s fourth season. However, when production halted due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, executive producers were forced to cut season 4 short.
Shortly after finale, series creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa then announced that both Ulrich and Nichols would be returning for season 5. This is to give a proper farewell to their characters, FP Jones and Hermione Lodge.
Ulrich revealed during an Instagram Live in May that it was his choice to leave the series. “I’m leaving Riverdale because I got bored creatively,” the actor admitted.
However, the same cannot be said with Nichols when she wasn’t offered the same opportunity to decide Hermione’s onscreen fate. When asked why she ultimately decided to leave Riverdale, the old actress was careful with her response.
“How do I put this? That’s a good question,” she said. “It wasn’t necessarily a choice.”
“It’s just kind of what happens,” she added.
Despite the management’s decision, Nichols claimed that she had an important piece of unfinished business for her character.
“Well, one of the things that was really important for me, if I was going to come back and wrap things up or do some more episodes, was that Hermione stick up for herself,” the actress explained. “It was really bothering me that she was in, for all intents and purposes, kind of in an abusive relationship.”
“She changed who she was to be with Hiram and, not that she’s innocent, but it bothered me. It bothered me just as a woman,” she continued. “I wanted to see her have some strength and some power and stand on her own two feet and not be stupid – for lack of a better word. So that was really important to me and Roberto honored that and I’m very happy about what I’m doing so far.”
What can we expect from Riverdale Season 5?
Nichols confirmed that shooting for the highly anticipated time jump episodes will begin this week. Fans will be seeing what their Riverdale favorites will be up to in the future, including her character Hermione.
“It’s actually seven years later, which is crazy!” she exclaimed. “It’s going to be fun. I’m excited.”
As for Nichols’ onscreen daughter played by Camila Mendes, the actress confessed that Veronica’s relationship status could be changing.
“I would say what I can tease is that it’s true about life. When you’re a teenager, relationships are very complicated and they get sometimes too serious and you’re not sure if you like this one or you like that one. Well, that follows you along as you grow up and it doesn’t necessarily get easier and we will see that with Veronica.”