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"Riverdale" Season 4: A Senior Year Filled with Strange Days, Dark Secrets [TEASER]

This year's Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) was definitely an eventful one for The CW's Riverdale – with special announcements, casting news, and blooper reel (more on that below) – as well as the cast and executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa having fun discussing the past season's wild ride of storylines while teasing what fans can expect when Riverdale returns for a fourth season on Wednesday, October 9.

Now viewers are getting a look at the upcoming season in the following teaser, which promises a senior year filled with dark secrets and strange days – as the series looks to outdo itself in the "wow-did-they-really-just-do-that" department to answer an ominous question: where's Jughead (Cole Sprouse)?

From the looks of things, "buried" under a ton of work…

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And here's a quick little reminder of how righteously creepy last season ended:

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But there was the loss of a show family member that needed to be addressed, with Aguirre-Sacasa announcing that the season premiere will feature a special tribute to Luke Perry. Perry's longtime friend and former costar Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210) will guest star in a special role in the episode, and Molly Ringwald returns to the role of Archie's (KJ Apa) mother, Mary Andrews.

Now, Aguirre-Sacasa and The CW are sharing an exclusive look at the upcoming season with TV Line (see above) – as well as sharing these thoughtful teases of what's still to come:

● Looking to honor his father's memory, Archie will spearhead an effort to give back to the community by opening a youth center: "All of the plans and dreams Fred had about Riverdale, he's trying to fulfill those."

● With this season being the gang's senior year, Aguirre-Sacasa promises more of them actually in school – including "seeing Archie back on the football team, seeing more of the Vixens." But as we know from Riverdale spinoff Katy Keene, graduation grows closer – and with it, change.

● As for that mysterious, Jughead-less season finale? Aguirre-Sacasa assures fans that it hasn't been forgotten: "throughout the season, we'll be tracking how we get to that night in the woods" – but that viewers should be prepared for "a different kind of mystery" than what they've seen in past seasons.

Set to air Wednesday, October 9, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT., "Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam" will reflect on Perry's enduring legacy and the indelible impact his character Fred Andrews had on the series. As the town readies for its Independence Day celebration, Archie receives a phone call that will change all of their lives – forever.

What can best be described as "before/after" images for the season opener, two of the images show Archie, Veronica (Camila Mendes), Betty (Lili Reinhart), and Jughead enjoying some 4th of July festivities. While the third image is a righteous heartbreaker between Archie and his mother, which we're assuming takes place post-phone call.

"They were such good friends, and when we were putting together this tribute episode, we wanted to make it as special as possible, and so we asked Shannen to do a pivotal, super-emotional role. She read the script and immediately said 'yes.' It's very impactful."

– Aguirre-Sacasa

Here's a look at two new additions to Riverdale when it returns next month:

● Kerr Smith (The Fosters, Life Unexpected) has been cast in a recurring role as new Riverdale High principal Mr. Honey – appearing in the second episode of season four, "Chapter Fifty-Nine: Fast Times at Riverdale High." Mr. Honey is a bit of a hard-ass who takes a harder line with the students this year, especially with the seniors.

● Sam Witwer (Supergirl) has been cast in the recurring role of Mr. Chipping. Handsome, bookish, and cool, Mr. Chipping teaches creative writing at a prestigious prep school near Riverdale. He recruits Jughead (Cole Sprouse) for his seminar – and while he's eminently inspiring to his students, there's a darkness hidden far beneath the surface.

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