Premiering on The CW in 2017, Riverdale was an instant hit. The teen drama follows the characters from the Archie Comics as they navigate high school in the town of Riverdale, discovering its seemingly perfect exterior hides a lot of darkness beneath the surface.

Fans adored Riverdale not only for its dramatic plot but also for the compelling characters. The main four are Archie (KJ Apa), Betty (Lili Reinhart), Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Veronica (Camila Mendes), but other characters round out the cast, like Reggie Mantle. However, Reggie's appearance changed quite a bit between Seasons 1 and 2 due to the actor being recast. Originally played by Ross Butler, Charles Melton took over the role from Season 2 on.

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Who Is Reggie Mantle In Riverdale?

Every good teen drama has to have a stereotypical, football-playing jock, and Reggie Mantle is Riverdale's. Growing up, Reggie endured physical abuse at the hands of his father, causing him to embrace toxic masculinity in his teenage years. Reggie doesn't concern himself with school or really any responsibilities. Rather, he's more interested in sex, physical fitness and dealing Jingle Jangle. He has a turbulent, on-again, off-again relationship with Veronica.

Reggie was originally a recurring character when Ross Butler played him but evolved into a series regular during Season 3 when played by Charles Melton.

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Why Did Ross Butler Leave Riverdale?

Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle in Riverdale

Due to his roles in series such as Riverdale, 13 Reasons Why, Teen Wolf, K.C. Undercover and more of the like, Butler seems to be favored in the teen TV genre. This played a role in his decision to leave Riverdale. At the time the actor was playing Reggie, he was also playing Zach Dempsey on 13 Reasons Why. In in a 2017 interview with Vulture, Butler admitted that was the reason he left Riverdale.

Essentially, Butler was offered two options: he could stay in both series but his characters would be featured less frequently, or he could choose a more significant role in 13 Reasons Why. He chose to leave Riverdale and pursue 13 Reasons Why. Confident in his decision, he told Vulture he connected with Zach more than Reggie. "Reggie’s a great character, but it’s a different tone. I connected with Zach on a much more real level where I didn’t have to create so much of a character for him. Reggie’s more outspoken, like that jock archetype."

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Though Butler played a great Reggie, Charles Melton suits the role as well. Plus, many fans adore Zach and Hannah's relationship on 13 Reasons Why, so everything worked out for both actors and both series.

Riverdale stars K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Casey Cott as Kevin Keller, Mark Consuelos as Hiram Lodge, Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle, Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz, Mädchen Amick as Alice Cooper and Erinn Westbrook as Tabitha Tate. New episodes of Season 5 air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.

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