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'Riverdale' Star Involved In Car Crash Following 16-Hour Work Day
K.J. Apa. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
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K.J Apa, star of the CW hit show Riverdale, was in a late-night car crash last week after a 16-hour production day on set. Riverdale shoots in Vancouver, Canada, and Apa fell asleep while driving the 45 minutes from set to his home.
The Hollywood Reporter has reported that the crash has prompted significant protest from the show's cast and crew, citing regularly grueling work conditions and shoots "that last until the early morning hours." The show does not provide transportation for the actors to and from set. Apparently "actors are told they can call a taxi or stay in a hotel near a set on the studio’s dime if they feel it is unsafe to drive."
Apa decided to do the drive and ended up totaling his car in the crash. He was taken to the hospital and discharged "without serious injuries," according to THR. Cole Sprouse, his co-star, reportedly was going to be in the car with him but changed his plan last minute.
THR reports there is a meeting set between Warner Bros. Television (the show's production company) and representatives for the actors to discuss safety and transportation options for the show.
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This isn't the first time Apa has gotten injured while shooting Riverdale. Earlier this summer, the actor broke his hand while punching a foam mat sitting on top of ice (editing makes it look like he was punching the ice directly).
Riverdale season two premieres on October 11 at 8 p.m. on the CW. The show, which stars Apa, Sprouse, Camila Mendes, and Lili Reinhart, was renewed for a second season in March, only a couple months after the first season began airing.
Film sets have seen a number of safety concerns lately. On August 14, stuntwoman S.J. Harris died on the set of Deadpool 2 and stuntman John Bernecker died a month previously while on set for The Walking Dead.
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