Oscar Hopeful Charles Melton Calls “Riverdale” 'Truly My Juilliard'

The actor, who won a Gotham Award for his performance in 'May December', says he'll always appreciate his time on The CW teen series because "I was learning and growing and playing and taking risks"

While many of the teens on Riverdale were caught up in sex, lies and murder plots, star Charles Melton was using his time on the drama series to perfect his acting chops.

The actor said that the hit CW show "helped me refine this work ethic" as he told i-D, "I learned so much being there. I formed relationships that I will have until the end of my days."

Melton, 32, then went a step further, crediting the show for teaching him what the likes of a professional acting program would teach, as he said, “Riverdale truly was my Juilliard — I was learning and growing and playing and taking risks. I was allowed to do that.”

Related: All About the 'Riverdale' Cast: From Upcoming Roles to Off-Screen Relationships

Melton played football player Reggie Mantle for the show's entire seven-year run and called August's series finale "bittersweet."

“But I’m so happy it brought joy to so many people,” he added.

Related: May December Director Says Charles Melton Gained 40 Lbs. for Movie Because His 'Hunkiness' Didn't Fit Role

Melton also acknowledged that the series ending “frees up more time for projects like May December,” the Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman-led film that’s earning him Oscar buzz — and for which he won a Gotham Award last month.

He described his involvement in the film — his first major movie role — as “another step ... I don’t know in the right direction, but it’s definitely the direction,” as he expressed his desire to continue acting in films in the next few years.

Melton said the list of artists he wants to work with in future projects “is so long.”

Related: 'Riverdale' Series Finale Brings Emotional Goodbyes, Surprise Cameos and an Unexpected Romance

Earlier this fall after the cast wrapped filming Riverdale, Melton's costars Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart and Madelaine Petsch were among those who paid tribute to their near decade-long experience on the show. 

Mendes, who dated Melton for a year off screen, said the show ending marked the end of a whole chapter of life for her and the cast.

“There’s no caption or photo dump that can illustrate what an emotional experience it’s been filming our last episode of riverdale. i’m not just saying goodbye to a TV show, i’m saying goodbye to an entire life i created in vancouver, to a transformative period of time that shaped me as an adult, to a community of people who have seen the best and worst of me over the course of seven intense seasons,” she wrote alongside a carousel of photos from the final season.

“It doesn’t matter how ready you are to move on, goodbyes are painful, and walking away from this show will be a process of mourning for all of us,” added Mendes, 29.

Related: Camila Mendes Marks the 'Riverdale' Series Finale with a Sweet New Tattoo: 'End of an Era’

Reinhart, 27, shared a five-part series of Instagram posts to pay tribute to the show, featuring photos with her costars and glimpses into their behind-the-scenes lives.

“Goodbye, Riverdale ❤️ it’s been an honor getting to grow up here,” she captioned the final post, a shot of her looking out her character Betty Cooper’s window.

Petsch, 29, posted a photo of her in the hallway of the set’s high school, writing, “I walked down this hallway for the last time yesterday. i have so much to say and so many feelings but i can’t see my phone through my tears so right now i’ll just say thank you and goodbye Riverdale 💘”

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Riverdale and May December can both be streamed on Netflix.

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