We Finally Got Our First Look At Hiram Lodge On 'Riverdale' & We Need Season 2 ASAP

Did it just get chilly in here or is it just me? Nope, it must be the icy, eerie, conflicted vibes we're getting because Hiram Lodge has officially stepped foot in Riverdale. Veronica's dear old dad (eh, it's complicated) is making his IRL debut on Season 2 of the hit CW series, and we can't wait to see what kind of drama he's dragging into town. Now EW has a first look photo of Riverdale Hiram Lodge so you can get a glimpse at Mark Consuelos in the role before the season premieres next month. Hiram in the flesh. Finally.

Hiram didn't show his face Season 1 of Riverdale because he was, well, imprisoned for embezzlement and fraud back in New York. The powerful Lodge Industries CEO was a lingering threat behind-the-scenes, leading to questions about the extent of influential criminal activity behind bars. Now that he's released from prison and strolling onto the scene and back in his daughter and wife's life in a major way, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause? And, will we love him or hate him or feel somewhere in between?

“I like to say he's like Jaws,” actor Mark Consuelos told Entertainment Weekly. “You didn't see him. You knew he was there. There's danger there. His presence is felt.”

Better half? Hmm. It does look like this, um, happy-ish couple is getting along just fine. For now...

Hiram's unlawful behavior has certainly affected Veronica, the Lodges, and beyond without the man himself even being physically present. His scandalous financial dealings are the reason Veronica's buddy Ethel Scruggs' father attempted suicide. But despite his twisted past, the show wants you to know that Hiram has a heart... when it comes to Veronica and Hermione. Consuelos explained further to EW,

He loves loves loves his family and he's fiercely protective over all of that and anything that has anything to do or comes into contact with his family. Also, he probably loves power a little bit too. He's enamored with that.

Uh, oh. Even with all that love, the combination of power and fierce protection sounds like a recipe for potential disaster.

Producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has also spoken about Hiram's shady ways, previously telling EW that even though “Hiram is a family man" who "loves and treasures his wife and especially his daughter," that doesn't mean he's innocent. Aguirre-Sacasa revealed,

But there's no denying that we've built up someone who has very dark dealings and who has a criminal past. He's not like the Serpents, who are a street-level gang. He's operating at a much higher level and has tentacles everywhere. The questions will be: Is Hiram truly reformed? What does he want? How does Veronica figure into his plans? How will Archie figure into his plans?

Note to Archie: Keep your girlfriend close and your girlfriend's dad closer, because who knows what he's up to? Of course, now we're biting our nails wondering if the morally questionable Lodge patriarch is going to mess with our precious #Varchie.

The latest Riverdale trailer also gave fans a blink-and-you'll-miss-it flash of Hiram. To be fair, all he's doing is sitting in the dark with a bottle of wine. Still pretty menacing, though.

With new faces and new conflicts coming to Riverdale, Season 2 is sure to keep things exciting and mysterious, and continue to be its usually extreme self. And whether you welcome Hiram with open arms or not, you know you're kind of intrigued to see the Lodge family all under one roof. By the way, Riverdale is back in less than a month, people. Let the countdown commence.