As one door closes another one opens. With Riverdale airing “Graduation” last night, its third episode of season five, the CW series has officially left high school behind and is jumping ahead seven years for the remainder of the show. Releasing a trailer for next week’s episode, the short promo teases what the core four are up to as full fledged adults, via ScreenRant.  

Based on the Archie Comics, the series stars KJ Apa (Songbird) as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart (Hustlers) as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes (Palm Springs) as Veronica Lodge, and Cole Sprouse (Five Feet Apart) as Jughead Jones. The airing of last night’s episode was monumental as it signified the end of an era with the whole gang graduating high school, thereby leaving behind Riverdale High for good. 

A moment for nostalgia, several cast members commemorated the end of an era with the airing of Wednesday’s episode. Reinhart posted a photo on Instagram of the whole cast in their caps and gowns with high school diplomas, writing: ” The gang finally graduates, tonight. 🎓 a very sentimental, emotional episode for everyone who has been on this Riverdale journey with us since day 1.” 

See her post below: 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart)

Season four was originally supposed to end with high school graduation and season five was to begin seven years in the future. That all changed when season four was halted early due to COVID-19, which then led to Riverdale having to tie up loose ends in the first three episodes of this season. Now, everything is set for the future.  

Next week’s episode, titled “Purgatorio,” is entering an entirely different world. The CW released a thirty second promo trailer revealing what everyone’s lives look like after seven years have past, and a lot has changed. Jughead narrates the trailer, beginning by saying “A lot can happen in seven years.” Archie joined  the army and fought in a war. After being released from the service, he  comes home to Riverdale but not  without a few battle-wound scars. Veronica is now married to wall street tycoon Chad Gekko, portrayed by Chris Mason (Broadchurch). Jughead is a struggling writer, notably without his signature hat. And the least surprising, Betty is working for the FBI with with a load of trauma after being in the field for seven years. 

“Purgatorio” airs on The CW next Wednesday, February 10, at 8 p.m. E.T. See the trailer below: