In 2017 The CW premiered “Riverdale,” a mystery drama series that takes the iconic (and comedic) characters from Archie Comics in a more mature, edgier direction. The following year a companion series was conceptualized featuring another Archie Comics character, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Production issues however led to “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” being streamed instead on Netflix on 2018, where it ran four seasons until concluding in 2020. That was too bad in the eyes of some “Riverdale” fans and producers, seeing as the original plan was to have the two series cross over. And with the death of Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) in her series finale, it seems impossible.

But somehow, The CW managed to find a way according to IGN. In the wake of “Riverdale” concluding its fifth season this past October 6, came news that Warner Bros. Television will have Kiernan Shipka reprise her role as Sabrina Spellman for the next season. This was announced on WB TV’s official Twitter page, even featuring Shipka in character as Sabrina while sitting on a “Riverdale” chair with her character’s name on it. Series show-runner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa had already crossed over the two shows in their Archie Comics print adaptations.

But apparently The CW decided that the time has come to do what had not been realized, now that the Netflix show has been completed. It also helps that the more recent seasons of “Riverdale” have been delving more into the supernatural. In season 5 it was revealed that the ancestor of Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petcsh) was burned as a witch by the ancestors of Archie Andrews (KJ Apa), Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). It seems appropriate to introduce the openly supernatural character of Sabrina when “Riverdale” begins its sixth season.

The CW gave the series a bolder shift only four episodes into season 5, with a time-skip of seven years following the main characters graduating from high school, thus re-establishing them as adults with careers. That would present a challenge given the large age discrepancy between the “Rivedale’ cast with Sabrina, given that she was only 17 years old when the series ended (with her death). It would be interesting to see how WB TV incorporates the character into ”Riverdale” season 6, and whether or not it would be permanent with Kiernan Shipka joining the series. “Riverdale” will return to The CW this November 16.

Image from Comic Book Resources