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Riverdale fans, it’s time to finally meet Heather. This unseen character has occasionally come up in Cheryl Blossom’s dialogue since the CW show’s early seasons, but she never seemed to hold much significance in the plot. However, Cheryl has talked about Heather quite a bit in Riverdale Season 6, and the long-lost friends will finally reunite in an upcoming episode. Here’s what to know about Heather, including what her return to Riverdale means for Cheryl.

Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, performing a ritual in Riverdale Season 6.
Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom in ‘Riverdale’ Season 6. | Michael Courtney/The CW

Cheryl Blossom has mentioned Heather frequently in ‘Riverdale’ Season 6

Riverdale fans have heard bits and pieces of Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) and Heather’s story throughout the series. The two were best friends in junior high school, and it’s been implied that they had a romantic connection (or at least that Cheryl had a crush on Heather). Unfortunately, Cheryl’s mother, Penelope (Nathalie Boltt), eventually forbade her daughter from seeing Heather, presumably because she disapproved of the relationship.

Heather has become particularly important in Riverdale Season 6. In one recent episode, Penelope, now a nun, appeared at Cheryl’s doorstep to ask for forgiveness for the way she treated her daughter. She brought letters that Heather once wrote to Cheryl as a peace offering. Apparently, Penelope hid the letters after Heather moved away, so Cheryl never saw them.

Another episode saw Percival Pickens (Chris O’Shea) use a memory of Cheryl and Heather to play with Cheryl’s mind. Cheryl heard Heather laughing in her home and found a figure hiding under a blanket on her bed. However, when she removed the blanket, Heather was nowhere to be seen.

Heather will re-enter Cheryl’s life in an upcoming episode of ‘Riverdale’

Cheryl will soon reconnect with Heather after all these years apart. As Entertainment Weekly revealed, Heather will appear for the first time in the May 22 episode and recur in the remainder of season 6. She’ll be played by Caroline Day, who is known for her work on Billions, I Feel Pretty, and The Goldfinch.

According to Heather’s character description, she currently works as a librarian in Greendale. (Perhaps she knows Sabrina Spellman?) Cheryl will track her down via social media, prompting Heather’s return to Riverdale. Heather and Cheryl will get in touch, although Nana Rose (Barbara Wallace) doesn’t approve.

“When Heather re-enters Cheryl’s life, she does so with secret knowledge that may help Cheryl understand her emerging powers better,” the description reads.

As fans may recall, Cheryl discovered earlier in season 6 that she has pyrokinetic powers — she can control fire. If she doesn’t release her pyrokinetic energy, she burns up to a dangerous degree. How will Heather help Cheryl control her power?

Some fans already have theories about Heather’s impact on the story

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Many Riverdale fans are excited to see Heather’s debut after hearing Cheryl mention her so often. Some viewers on Reddit are already cooking up theories about Heather’s knowledge of magic — could she dabble in witchcraft? One fan suggested that may be the real reason Penelope separated Cheryl and Heather.

“My thought is: WHAT IF this isn’t about Heather’s and Cheryl’s sexuality but more about Heather being a witch, possibly being ‘to blame’ for Cheryl to discover her own powers back as a kid,” they wrote.

Another user agreed, admitting it’s also possible Penelope and other Blossom women have dabbled in magic that may have rivaled Heather’s.

“I’m not sure if Penelope is (unclear), but Nana Rose 100% has magic or knows about it and seems to be behind a bunch of bad stuff in Riverdale,” they wrote.

Riverdale airs on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for more updates.

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