Over the weekend, Riverdale fans were hit with some devastating news — not one, but two cast members were leaving the show.

Skeet Ulrich, who plays Jughead’s (Cole Sprouse) father, F.P. Jones, in the series, announced is departure following The CW’s fourth season.

In a statement to Deadline, Ulrich wrote: “I’m incredibly grateful for the friendships I’ve made on Riverdale, and I will miss seeing everyone on a daily basis.” He added, “I’m proud to have been part of such a talented group of people, in front of the camera and behind. But I’ve decided that it’s time for me to move on to explore other creative opportunities.”

The former Scream actor also addressed the exit on his social media writing, “I can’t even begin to thank you all for the unwavering support and love!! It is remarkable and deeply appreciated. I may be leaving Riverdale but my experience over the last four years will never leave my heart. A very special thanks to @writerras for giving me this opportunity ❤️”

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I can’t even begin to thank you all for the unwavering support and love!! It is remarkable and deeply appreciated. I may be leaving Riverdale but my experience over the last four years will never leave my heart. A very special thanks to @writerras for giving me this opportunity ❤️

A post shared by Skeet Ulrich (@skeetulrich) on Feb 23, 2020 at 1:42pm PST

And if losing one parental figure in a town where they’re already scarce isn’t bad enough, Marisol Nichols, who plays Veronica Lodge’s (Camila Mendes) mother, Hermione Lodge, in the series, also announced her departure.

She shared similar sentiments on Instagram writing, “I am incredible grateful for my time on Riverdale, my second family. These are friendships that go beyond set life. Portraying Hermione Lodge was a joy, and working with this cast was an honor, truly.
The best part has been all of you. Without your enthusiastic embracing of our show and these characters we wouldn’t be here. Thank you for the opportunity to entertain you all,” alongside a poster from the most recent season.

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I am incredible grateful for my time on Riverdale, my second family. These are friendships that go beyond set life. Portraying Hermione Lodge was a joy, and working with this cast was an honor, truly. The best part has been all of you. Without your enthusiastic embracing of our show and these characters we wouldn’t be here. Thank you for the opportunity to entertain you all. ❤️

A post shared by Marisol Nichols (@marisolnichols) on Feb 24, 2020 at 1:01pm PST

It’s unclear if either will reprise their roles in guest appearances, but you have to wonder how the series will explain their departures.

Producer and writer Roberto Aguirre posted a photo of Ulrich’s character Jones and assured fans that “All will be revealed before this season of #Riverdale ends,” which is slightly worrisome considering where the series left off with Jughead’s storyline. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8932aQHIt5/

On Riverdale Season 4 Episode 13, Betty seemingly killed Jughead by hitting him over the head with a rock after being triggered by a “magic word” given to Donna by The Farm’s incarcerated Evelyn Evernever.

Fans immediately began looking for clues to discredit what was being presented on the screen because Jughead can’t really be dead, can he?

Riverdale is known for playing tricks on the audience and showing a storyline that doesn’t reflect what’s actually happening, so fans believe that Jughead’s death is either a fake-out or part of his long-term plan to take down Stonewall Prep, Brett, Donna, and the rest of them.

And truthfully, there are a lot of clues suggesting that’s the case despite the flas-forward scenes that show F.P. looking for Jughead in the forest (with presumed killer Betty), F.P. identifying Jughead’s body with Betty, and later, F.P. arresting Betty, Veronica, and Archie for Jughead’s murder.

Fans were content believing that the scenes were just part of  Jughead’s “perfect murder” novel… until now.

Riverdale Review – Did Betty Really Kill Jughead? (4×13)

The announcement that Ulrich is leaving the show threw everyone for a loop because it might be confirmation that Sprouse’s’ Jughead dies on the show.

Parents aren’t heavily involved in their teenagers’ lives in the murder-capital of the world, but they do exist and pop in from time-to-time.

Jughead and F.P. have grown close over the course of four-seasons mending their fractured relationship and become a dynamic father-son duo that supports each other and has each other’s back.

If Jughead died, F.P. would be heartbroken, disgusted, and looking to get out of a town that reminded him of his son.

It would take something major like a loss for F.P to leave Riverdale and never look back.

Still, we’re choosing to remain optimistic.

Maybe F.P. is so fed up after finding out Jughead faked his death that it strains their relationship and he skips town.

Or maybe F.P. just realizes he doesn’t want to be surrounded by the toxicity of a town famous for the Black Hood, the Gargoyle King, and Hiram Lodge.

If he’s lucky, he’ll get a good job offer somewhere else and join the ranks of the only few people (see also: Josie) to successfully get out of Riverdale alive. This may not be a bad thing.

Riverdale seems to be a town that holds people back from living their full potential.

And after all, Jughead is likely going off to college next year, so having the parents around won’t be as necessary. Plus, Archie’s been doing just fine taking care of himself since his father Fred’s (the late Luke Perry) passing.

If we’re being forced to say goodbye to F.P. let’s hope his other storylines — his romance with Alice and his role as Sheriff — get proper closure.

Hermione’s departure isn’t as crippling because Veronica is still left with one, albeit worse, paren.

Her story was never as pivotal as F.P’s. or her husband, Hiram’s, and so, it’ll be much easier to explain her departure. I can even see them saying something like Hermione realized she doesn’t want to be with Hiram anymore and is moving back to New York City. Done deal.

How do you think Riverdale will write off F.P. and Hermione?

Does F.P.’s exit confirm Jughead’s death?

Riverdale was renewed for a fifth season in January 2020.