Camila Mendes recalls collaboration with ex Charles Melton on 'Riverdale'

Camila Mendes is open about working with ex-boyfriend Charles Melton on Riverdale – and have the added challenge of playing off each other's love interests after the split.

“Of course, just at the right time [a breakup] happens, it's hard and it's emotional,” Mendes, 29, shared during the Monday, February 19, episode Dax Shepard And by Monica Padman “Armchair expertpodcast. 'It's the worst. But it's hard because of the timing of the show. Every time we started connecting and knew something was brewing, our characters started dating. But they knew not. No one knew. Of course the writers would let it happen.

Mendes and Melton, 33, met during season 2 of Riverdale. Melton was cast as the second version of Reggie Mantle after Ross Butler was unable to return due to other film commitments. Mendes' character, Veronica, eventually fell in between her relationships with Archie for the 'new' Reggie (KJ Ap), and the pair dated on and off during seasons 3 through 6.

Mendes recalled her real-life, on-again, off-again relationship with Melton, which made things more difficult as their characters were often still dating even though they had called it quits off-screen. Mendes noted that the CW series, known for its racy moments, would sometimes call for steamy makeout sessions between Reggie and Veronica “right after” Mendes and Melton broke up.

Related: The dating history of the 'Riverdale' cast through the years

Cole Sprouse, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes and Vanessa Morgan are among the Riverdale stars whose off-screen relationships have made headlines over the years. Reinhart and Sprouse won fans as lovebirds Betty and Jughead on the CW drama, which premiered in January 2017. So viewers were ecstatic to discover that the duo was a real couple when they […]

“We dated for a year, then broke up for about a year, then got back together for about a year,” she explained, citing the coronavirus pandemic as a “catalyst” for giving things another try . After the show took a long hiatus between seasons 5 and 6, Mendes said she and Melton both found new love with other partners, but eventually reunited when they returned to Vancouver, Canada, for filming.

“When we came back we were both in different relationships,” she continued. “But then of course we left our own relationship – not knowing that the other person was doing that. And we are in lockdown [because of COVID-19], we can't leave Vancouver. And it might be the charm the second time around. Maybe this time it will be different.”

The couple mutually called it quits for good Riverdales final season and were able to put their emotions aside and enjoy their final year on the show.

“There was another break in between [season 6 and season 7] and when we came back last season, there was a definite vibe of: Zen, we're over it, and we also worked together a lot, but not in a romantic capacity,” she explained, adding that their characters also split on screen. “Last season it went super smoothly. I think the whole last season felt different.”

Mendes said the cast as a whole “came together” for season 7 knowing it was their last year on set. “It's like this is the last time we're all in this room together,” she said. “Who knows when something like this will happen again.”

Despite the ups and downs of dating a costar, Mendes then found love again Rudy Mancuso cast her in Prime Videos Music. The pair fell for each other while filming the movie – in which Mancuso is director, writer and star – and quietly confirmed their romance in November 2022 after production wrapped.

The couple have since shared tidbits about their romance on social media, with Mendes sharing a sweet tribute to Mancuso on Valentine's Day earlier this month. (Mancuso was previously linked to Maia Mitchell from 2016 to 2022.)

“My Valentine 🌹 as soon as he wrapped música, he flew all the way to the UK to support me during filming. edited all the music remotely from our small hotel room in Leeds,” Mendes wrote via Instagram. “He visited me on set almost every day to give me a kiss and watch me do my thing. i love you @rudymancuso, thank you for showing up in the most meaningful way. happy to be your valentine 💌.”