Riverdale is set to return to the small screen next month, but it hasn't been all smooth sailing for the show while filming in and around Vancouver. Last week, Archie Andrews actor KJ Apa got into a car accident after working an incredibly long 14.2-hour day on the Riverdale set — an incident that has now prompted the show's studio to address allegations of unsafe working conditions.
Following Apa's accident, Warner Bros. Television issued a statement on Thursday (September 21).
"The safety of the cast and crew on all of our productions is of paramount importance to the Studio," a studio spokesperson said. "Productions adhere to the Screen Actors Guild–mandated turnaround time of 12 hours from wrap time to next day call time for cast members. In accordance with industry standard policy, if any cast or crew member feels tired or unsafe at any time after working, the Studio will provide a taxi, a driver or a hotel room upon request. This is communicated to all cast and crew, both in writing and verbally, at the beginning of production and is reiterated continuously throughout the duration of production."
Apa's accident took place on September 14, with the incident causing severe damage to his vehicle but leaving the star without significant injuries. Apa was treated by first responders and visited doctors before returning to set the day following the crash. The actor had also been in a minor car accident just a few days earlier.
The SAG-AFTRA actor's union said it was deeply concerned about the safety of the actors on the Riverdale set.
"This is an extremely troubling situation ... We are sending a team to Vancouver to review the circumstances surrounding safety issues affecting performers on this production," the union said in a statement.
In response, the Warner Bros. rep also sated the following:
We have a large cast of series regulars, and our actors do not work every day. On the day of the accident, KJ worked 14.2 hours. The previous day he worked 2.5 hours, and the day before that he worked 7.7 hours. KJ has repeatedly been informed about making production aware if he is tired or feels unsafe, and if so, either a ride or hotel room will be provided for him. The accident occurred last Thursday. Additionally, it is untrue that KJ was taken to the hospital. He was treated by first responders on the scene and released by them. We also sent a doctor to his home later that same day for a follow-up to confirm his well-being.
This follows a controversy earlier this year involving Riverdale star Cole Sprouse, who got into a nasty dust-up with a busker while filming outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
As recently reported, Riverdale is set to return to CW/Netflix for Season 2 on October 12.
Following Apa's accident, Warner Bros. Television issued a statement on Thursday (September 21).
"The safety of the cast and crew on all of our productions is of paramount importance to the Studio," a studio spokesperson said. "Productions adhere to the Screen Actors Guild–mandated turnaround time of 12 hours from wrap time to next day call time for cast members. In accordance with industry standard policy, if any cast or crew member feels tired or unsafe at any time after working, the Studio will provide a taxi, a driver or a hotel room upon request. This is communicated to all cast and crew, both in writing and verbally, at the beginning of production and is reiterated continuously throughout the duration of production."
Apa's accident took place on September 14, with the incident causing severe damage to his vehicle but leaving the star without significant injuries. Apa was treated by first responders and visited doctors before returning to set the day following the crash. The actor had also been in a minor car accident just a few days earlier.
The SAG-AFTRA actor's union said it was deeply concerned about the safety of the actors on the Riverdale set.
"This is an extremely troubling situation ... We are sending a team to Vancouver to review the circumstances surrounding safety issues affecting performers on this production," the union said in a statement.
In response, the Warner Bros. rep also sated the following:
We have a large cast of series regulars, and our actors do not work every day. On the day of the accident, KJ worked 14.2 hours. The previous day he worked 2.5 hours, and the day before that he worked 7.7 hours. KJ has repeatedly been informed about making production aware if he is tired or feels unsafe, and if so, either a ride or hotel room will be provided for him. The accident occurred last Thursday. Additionally, it is untrue that KJ was taken to the hospital. He was treated by first responders on the scene and released by them. We also sent a doctor to his home later that same day for a follow-up to confirm his well-being.
This follows a controversy earlier this year involving Riverdale star Cole Sprouse, who got into a nasty dust-up with a busker while filming outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
As recently reported, Riverdale is set to return to CW/Netflix for Season 2 on October 12.
