‘The Love Hypothesis’ Star Lili Reinhart Ranks Every ‘Riverdale’ Season

Few shows have strayed as far from their original premise as ‘Riverdale.’ What started as a moody teen mystery evolved into one of television’s most outrageous soap operas, and this transformation has become a running joke among its audience. Consequently, anything Lili Reinhart shares about her experience on the series garners significant attention.

‘Riverdale’ debuted on The CW on January 26, 2017, and concluded after 137 episodes over 7 seasons. Reinhart portrayed Betty Cooper, whose character journeyed from a high school student to an FBI agent. The first season revolved around a murder mystery, while the final season took a nostalgic leap back to the 1950s.

Recently, Reinhart was asked to rank each season of the show, and her responses have sparked conversation among fans. During an appearance on Capital Buzz while promoting ‘The Love Hypothesis,’ she ranked the seasons in order of their release, from Season 1 to Season 7.

According to Netflix Junkie, this ranking suggests that she has a preference for the earlier seasons. This interpretation seems valid, as her list, which circulated widely, moved from Season 1 straight through to Season 7. Reinhart also implied that the show may have lost its direction over time.

She emphasized that she enjoyed filming every season. As reported by Yardbarker, her critique was directed at the writing rather than her experiences on set or her relationships with fellow cast members. This distinction is crucial, as it transforms her comment from a negative critique into a thoughtful reflection.

The disparity she highlights is evident. Season 1 consisted of a concise 13 episodes focused on murder investigations and teenage relationships, while subsequent seasons introduced elements like cults, superpowers, and time travel. Seasons 2 and 3 expanded to 22 episodes each, complicating the plot with every installment.

Reinhart has previously addressed the show’s mixed reputation. In a 2023 interview with Vulture, as the series was concluding, she acknowledged the challenges of knowing ‘Riverdale’ was frequently mocked online. She noted that viewers often encountered clips out of context, questioning why a show about teenagers had become so bizarre, a sentiment echoed by the cast after Season 1.

However, her feelings have never been entirely negative. In November 2025, she defended her time on the show, expressing gratitude for the series that helped her career. This blend of affection and honesty is precisely what her recent ranking conveys.

The timing of her comments coincides with her new project. Reinhart stars as the lead and serves as an executive producer for ‘The Love Hypothesis,’ a Prime Video adaptation of the beloved book. The narrative follows a graduate student named Olive who enters a faux relationship with a cantankerous biology professor, featuring Tom Bateman alongside her.

The promotional tour has kept ‘Riverdale’ in the spotlight. In an Interview Magazine discussion with singer Laufey, the artist shared her admiration for the show, recalling how she would wake up at 6 AM in Iceland to catch new episodes with her twin sister before school. This serves as a reminder of the show’s extensive reach.

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