‘Riverdale’: Mark Consuelos Exits CW Show As Series Regular After Season 5

“Riverdale” star Mark Consuelos is no longer a series regular after the show’s fifth season.

The 50-year-old actor’s exit as one of the show’s regular cast members was announced after the “Riverdale” Season 5 finale Wednesday, Deadline first reported.

It was not clear why Consuelos dropped out of the regular cast roster since he plays the villain Hiram Lodge in the hit teen drama. But an onscreen sendoff was featured in the final moments of Season 5.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank [executive producer] Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa for this incredible opportunity. Never before has playing a character that was so bad, felt so good,” he was quoted as saying by the outlet.

Consuelos continued, “Huge thanks to the ‘Riverdale’ fandom, to the brilliant crew and amazing cast, whom I consider dear friends and family.”

Aguirre-Sacasa also issued a statement to Deadline to address Consuelos’ time as Veronica Lodge’s (Camila Mendes) conniving father in the series.

“So tonight’s episode is Mark’s swan song playing our hunky villain Hiram Lodge on ‘Riverdale’ after four insane, glorious years. From the moment Mark joined us, he was up for literally anything, a hundred percent committed to making Archie’s (KJ Apa) life a living hell,” he said.

“And what’s funny is, Mark couldn’t be more different from Hiram. A classy pro and the sweetest guy, always looking out for everyone. We wish Mark the best and hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Hiram Lodge,” the series creator added.

It’s not clear how this would affect Consuelos’ involvement in the next season of the show. But Deadline alluded to Hiram’s absence as being temporary in its report.

The news comes a few days after Consuelos and his wife Kelly Ripa, 51, along with their pal Jake Shears, showed off their toned bodies on social media as they celebrated the latter’s 43rd birthday.

In the photo Ripa uploaded, she had her back to the camera, showing off her backside in a swimsuit. On the other hand, Consuelos’ full body was visible as he was only wearing a pair of swim trunks. As for Shears, he was seen crawling in between Ripa’s legs.

“Happy birthday [Jake Shears]. Thank you for letting us be a part of your new album’s cover art. Coming soon!” the talk show host wrote in the caption.

When actress Rachael Harris commented on the post saying, “Thirst. Trap. How. Dare. You,” Ripa quickly responded to reveal that the name of Shears’ upcoming album is “Buckets of Thirst.”

E! host Justin Sylvester also joined in on the conversation by asking about the title of the first single. Ripa did not hesitate to reply, “Thirst Bucket.”

Consuelos and Ripa first met on the set of “All My Children” in 1995. They tied the knot a year later and have been together since then. The couple shares three children together: Michael, 24, Lola, 20, and Joaquin, 18.