Welp, 'Riverdale's Mid-Season Return Was Just Pushed Back Another Month

Season 5 of Riverdale has been... a lot. From aliens to long-awaited hookups, it's been an action-packed season, but unfortunately, the momentum has come to a screeching halt. After the March 31 episode, there's a long break before the Core Four will make their way back to screens. So, when will Riverdale Season 5 return in 2021? Fans have a while to wait before finding out what's next for the citizens of Riverdale.

A mid-season break isn't uncommon for shows. In fact, Riverdale usually has one that spans about a month. Normally, a new season of the show premieres in October so the break falls at the end of the year (usually around the December holidays). However, since the coronavirus pandemic pushed the Season 5 release date in early 2021, the break was also pushed back. And instead of just a month-long hiatus, the Season 5 break will last three months.

Originally, Riverdale fans were going to have to wait until July 7 for Episode 11. However, on April 29, TV Line reported the return date was delayed even further. Now, the Season 5 won't come back until Wednesday, Aug. 11. Then, viewers will get nine new episodes before Season 5 comes to a close.

With so much that has already gone down this season, it's hard to imagine what else the show will throw at viewers. After the highly-anticipated seven-year time jump in Episode 4, the teens turned into young adults and along the way got jobs, fell in love, and after going their separate ways, managed to all come back to Riverdale to be teachers. Barchie had a brief moment in the sun (and the shower... and the back of a car), Cheryl got a new potential S.O., and there are about fifteen different threats on the horizon, including the Trash Bag Killer, the Lonely Highway, and the Mothman.

Needless to say, there's still a lot the season has to wrap up, and the fact that fans have to wait over three months to see what's next is pretty upsetting. If you need me, I'll just be over here rewatching Barchie's best moments and hoping to see their reconciliation in July.

Season 5 of Riveredale will return on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.