Riverdale: 20 most important characters on the show
By Reed Gaudens
Riverdale — “Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter” — Image Number: RVD113c_0012.jpg — Pictured: Luke Perry as Fred Andrews — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — © 2017 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved
12. Fred Andrews
It’s not often that the biggest TV heart-throb can also become TV’s best dad. But if anyone could do it, of course it would be Luke Perry.
The erstwhile Dylan McKay gave Beverly Hills, 90210 fans another reason to love him when he stepped into the role of Fred Andrews, the only pure, wholesome, and loving parent in all of Riverdale. He doesn’t moonlight as a murderer. He has no hidden agenda. Fred just wants to run a clean business and mind his business.
In the first season, Fred seemingly became entangled in an affair with Hermione Lodge, but that mess fizzled out quickly and Fred focused on parenting Archie — who needs all the parenting he can get.
Honestly, Fred Andrews should be sainted for everything he’s been through with Archie, and getting shot by the Black Hood (twice!) hardly registers as a reason why. Through the ups and downs — the Red Circle, the alliance with Hiram, juvie — Fred stayed by his son’s side.
As of this writing, it’s unconfirmed how Riverdale will handle Perry’s death in the narrative, but series creator Robert Aguirre-Sacasa has stated that the rest of the show’s run will be dedicated to the late television icon, as it should be.
Surely, the series will write him off with dignity rather than frivolously killing off Fred to further one of the current mysteries, but his absence will forever be felt. There’s no guy quite like Fred Andrews, and there will never be another Luke Perry.