Big casting news! Daytime favorite, Cameron Mathison (Ex-Ryan Lavery, All My Children) is heading to General Hospital.
Mathison, who will finish up his run as co-host of Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family when its final season ends in August, will be joining the ABC soap opera.
No word yet on what role Cameron will play and when he will debut. Deadline broke the news of the newest GH cast member,
Throughout his acting career, Mathison has earned two Daytime Emmy Supporting Actor nominations in 2002 and 2004 for his work on AMC.
In a statement on joining the legacy series, Cameron said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be part of the General Hospital family! Incredibly grateful to (Executive Producer) Frank Valentini and the writers at GH for including me in such an iconic show. I feel like a kid at Christmas, as I’ll also be continuing making Hallmark movies and be part of that family as well. So so excited… thank you!”
So excited that Cameron is coming to Port Charles? What role will he or should he play? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
This is exciting news! I doubt he’ll be playing Ryan Lavery, but I have a feeling that he will somehow be connected to the “D. Marick” storyline involving Anna and Peter.
Next up on the wish list: can Vincent Irizzary bring David Hayward to Port Charles?!
Fairly certain “D Marrick” was used only for the purpose of sending Alex’s video to Peter. Wouldn’t expect to see any other AMC characters in Port Charles while “Pine Valley” (the proposed nighttime reboot of AMC) is still a potential reality.
As I said, AMC never aired in Hell, but it’s my understanding that his role on that show was pretty much the same as Dr. Rolf on Days of Our Lives. As in a supposed doctor who spends most of his time reanimating dead corpses.
And the last thing GH needs right now is a bunch of undead zombies like Frodd, Shiloh, or Cinderbrina suddenly up and walking around.
As far as Vincent himself goes, I thought he was good as Deimos Kiriakis on Days. Ironically, he could always return there as a Rolf zombie.
Steve
3 years ago
In a bloated cast, the only character I can see making sense for CM is a recast Drew. Sure there’s a height difference with Steve Burton, but camera angles can be adjusted to de-emphasize that.
Steve
I sure hope your theory is wrong. I could never in a million years accept C.M as Drew. Also, how does your comparison with Steve Burton come into this? I don’t see them changing his character from Jason to Drew. I think most of us are still hoping for Billy Miller to be Drew. As far as Franco/Roger, I can only see him him as Roger and not an exchange for an existing character.
Hi Violet 🙂
I saw that Cameron guys photo–
No way could he be Drew– no way!
He needs to be dumped before he destroys Drew..
And– no way could he be the twin..
Jason and this Cameron guy as twins- get real ..
No No No bad bad bad !
Violet
As Jason and Drew at one point were identical twins, they would both be the same height. This, If Cameron were to play Drew, it might look a bit awkward in scenes he shared with Burton (who’s at least 3 inches shorter than Matthison).
Drew supposedly had the same face as Jason when Robin thawed him out at the Crighton Clark Clinic. Victor Cassadine told her that it was Jason Morgan, and she didn’t question it… because she had known Jason since they were both kids, and never knew anything about him having a twin brother.
Robin brought him to Port Charles, but he was hit by Ava Jerome, driving a stolen SUV before anybody else saw him. This caused him to have injuries which not only gave him amnesia, but mangled his face to the point where he needed reconstructive surgery.
When the Real Jason returned a couple years later, Spinelli managed to dig up some of Drew’s military records, including a picture of Drew in his dress uniform, with Steve Burton’s face. Steve also played Drew in flashback scenes during the Shiloh story, and more recently when Frodd had residual memories from Drew’s “brain on a flash drive” pop up in his brain, shortly before he was killed.
So yes, it’s been very well established that Jason & Drew are identical twins.
johnny
3 years ago
Wow wonderful news, maybe Cameron will play Free. That’s what I am praying for. Welcome back to Daytime Cameron.
AMC never aired in Hell, so I’m not familiar with this guy’s work. But I recognize the name & face enough to know he’s a known quantity in daytime, and therefore, hiring him would seem to be counter-intuitive to the “budget cutting” spin that seems to have been the excuse for the numerous cast cuts at GH in the last few months.
So I remember reading somewhere that his AMC character was a distant cousin of Duke Lavery. Did he have any interaction with Anna and/or her evil twin Alex on that show? Seems unlikely they would bring on another character named “Ryan” as long as serial killer Ryan Chamberlain remains on your side of Earth’s crust (albeit a vegetable currently)
Mortals on other boards are commenting about him being a major airhog on AMC. Hopefully that will NOT be the case on GH, because the last thing they need is another newbie sucking up all the screen time in the way that Frodd, Whiny Heiny, Ava, and Shiloh have in recent years. Two of those four are gone. Heiny’s days are numbered, and Ava was getting more tolerable, until she recently got all hypocritical giving advice to Nina.
If they try to make him a recast of Drew Cain, you can bet your soul that would be a 666% failure. Drew has to be remotely passable as Jason’s twin brother, and this guy ain’t that.
Yes I guess he was kind of a air hog on AMC. Didn’t like him at all (even though I may be in a minority). Too arrogant and full of himself was my opinion.
Oh Violet, say it isn’t so. Haven’t they treated our Billy badly enough? I’m really not in the mood for CM and those whiny, saccharine performances. Enough!
Ever see him in the Hallmark movies or on the Hallmark morning show? He’s quite endearing. He’s always a cheerful and sincere soul in their movies. I love when he’s in the Hallmark movie…. him and Ryan Paevy.
Nanny
You said the magic name Ryan Paevy! If they want to bring someone, anyone back, let it be Ryan.I like and miss him almost as much as Billy Miller. Those two melt this old gal’s heart.
On the other hand, Billy Miller as Drew wasn’t remotely passable as Jason’s twin brother, so that’s clearly no problem in the minds of the ABC PTB. I do think Cameron Mathison is at least roughly in Burton’s age group, so they’re already ahead of the game there.
As for the budget-cutting narrative, I suppose it’s entirely possible that this has been in the works for some time and that the cast cuts were in part to make room for him. (You can bet Kim Delaney doesn’t work cheap either, so it could be a combination of both.)
Shari
3 years ago
Really? Why?
Jeffrey Sonheim
3 years ago
Perhaps a janitor righting all the wrongs he finds from collecting each day’s garbage?
Patrick
3 years ago
???? please tell us ! He’s RELATED to Finn….. his brother ? his uncle ? his LOVER… his cousin, his dad
come on
ANY THING
aria
3 years ago
omg, you can’t have Cameron join Gh and not consider bringing Rebecca Budgig back as Hayden, right? I mean come on, GH Bring back Hayden now more then ever.
Steve, I have a secret wish that Lucas and… wait for it…Chase will be an item. That’s after Willow inevitably dumps him for that insipid, two-faced Michael. Maybe Chase will discover another side of himself? Stranger things have happened on this show. And they successfully made the move with Mariah Copeland on Y&R. What a gorgeous couple they’d be.
Well, that would guarantee that he wouldn’t stick around long. Poor Maxie seems to attract two types of guys. Cops who die in the line of duty. Or complete psychopaths like Dunkleman or Heiny, and they of course are destined for short lives.
Spinelli was the only one who didn’t fit into either of those categories. But he’s married now (though we haven’t seen his wife since they returned from Portland)
Michael (not Fairman)
3 years ago
Given the timing, this strongly suggests we’re seeing another instance of “Cast a big name before we even have a character for him to play or know how he fits into the existing canvas.” We all know how well that generally works out.
Timmm
3 years ago
There are too many actors who are not on the show or dont get the proper time. Scott Baldwin, Kevin Collins, Dillon Quartermaine, Martin Gray, Hayden Barnes, Sky Quartermaine, Tracy Quartermaine, Monica, Nell, Lucas [Ryan Carnes] ect. Some have not been on the canvas for years BUT if yo have money to pay Mathison, you can afford relevant characters!
Why?? Ugh—If the character is anything like Ryan Lavery? Take him back, please! I implore you. I don’t even like him on ” Murder, She Baked” —too full of himself….but, I watch because of Alison Sweeney. I love the show despite Mathison..
Aside–Be prepared for a dead baby switcheroo– Brook Lynn and Maxie baby-mix-up. I mean; c’mon—so “foreseeable”!! I could be wrong?!?!
Hi Celia! 🙂
I see it as rotating ousted soap people sent to the
Hallmark Channel’s
and then choose from that stock to return.
I don’t know the guy–I was informed he is AMC-
That is long dead soap, but still, New actors are needed not
dragging has-beens out of the Hallmark Channel’s LOL!!
I want Billy back– but he was shat on by ABC..
GH brought in a Y&R Star and mostly ignored him.
Even if Billy were offered to return I doubt he would 🙁
Celia, I agree on all counts. I figured Brook Lynn was not really pregnant after first seeing how huge and phony her belly looked. What I don’t understand is giving her Maxi’s baby while making Valentin the father.The only good will be keeping Peter way from the baby, while Maxie will get her baby back and Valentin will ultimately be hurt the most.
Now that Val is all in on bringing down Whiny Heiny, I think he would probably play along if they eventually try to pass off Maxie’s baby as BrookLynn’s (at least until Heiny is dispatched to Hell).
Now that Brook has face planted right in front of him, and yet refuses to see a doctor, they might have to loop Val into the plan right away, as he’s probably about to figure out he’s not really a daddy after all. You could say a lot of things about Mr “Cassadine” (one of them being that he’s not really a Cassadine and who IS his father anyway??) but one thing you can’t say about him is that he’s stupid. And once he’s over the initial shock of BrookLynn lying to him, he would probably see the genius in the plan for he & Brook to be the temporary “parents” to Maxie’s kid, to keep the kid safe from Whiny Heiny.
Thats the nail on the head, “He is to full of himself!” People say, oh he was on AMC or OLTL, hire him or her! Okay, lets start hiring people from the “Edge of Night” or “Dark Shadows!” Move on “People!”
What an insult to our Billy if he’s Drew, Celia. I don’t use the word sacrilege often, but I’ll use it here. We don’t need him!
Janny
3 years ago
I love Cameron Mathison! He is one of my favorite Hallmark movies actor…. I love those feel good movies and Cameron always brings a sense of fun to his roles. It will be interesting to see who he will portray amongst this stellar cast. I can’t see him as Drew…. why not just bring Billy Miller back then? Roger Howarth as Drew? Um. No. I’m actually sorry to see Franco killed off, considering I originally hated having the amazing and suuuuper creepy James Franco replaced. (Loved that story arc). I’ve come to like Roger Howarth interacting with Rebecca Herbst and the boys. They’ll never let Elizabeth be happy. Please don’t let Jason, Franco, and Drew actually be some strange combination of quintuplets. Don’t do that to Cameron, GH. Is he heading in Alexis’ direction? Welcome Cameron! Looking forward to you joining the cast and adding your talents! But please be sure to never leave the Hallmark movies!
KMB
3 years ago
Oh heaven help us PLEASE, I do not want Cameron Mathison cast as Drew Cain. No way, no how, NEVER. It’s JMO, but I really pray this doesn’t happen. If they can’t bring back Billy Miller to play him, then just let Drew Cain RIP. If they insist on bringing CM on, then make him someone else. I have seen so many Drew fans online that are so against this, but then again, it wouldn’t be the first time GH has ignored what many fans have wanted, especially Billy Miller fans.
Thank You, KMB. SO RIGHT! Only I’m not in favor of CM coming at all. We need Billy desperately.
boes
3 years ago
How exciting. It’s been years since Cam ruined All My Children so I guess it’s time for his grating screen presence to make things worse in Port Charles as well. Maybe they’ll bring back Rebecca Budig and get the show cancelled.
They’ve done it before.
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
May 16, 2024
After various reports surfaced, it has been confirmed that Patrick Mulcahey is out as the co-head writer of General Hospital. This is after a very short tenure of under five months.
Mulcahey was named to the position back in January of 2024 along with longtime GH writer Elizabeth Korte. They replaced the team of Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, who had been the head scribes of the long-running ABC daytime drama since 2019.
A source informed Soap Opera Digest that stories created by the co-head writing team of Mulcahey/Korte team will air through mid-summer. However they added “There will be more news to share at a later date as to the composition of the new writing team.”
In addition, eagle-eyed soap fans have seen that in recent episodes former co-head writer, Chris Van Etten has been credited, as he is reportedly a breakdown writer with the show.
Soap Opera Network is reporting that Korte has assumed the head writing duties solely on her own at the moment, while Buzz blog initially reported Mulcahey’s exit.
We will have more on the GH writing team evolution in the days ahead.
What do you think about the writing team changes at GH thus far? Comment below.
Melody Thomas Scott and Edward J. Scott to Receive Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Honors
May 6, 2024
The Young and the Restless iconic Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) and her husband, Emmy-winning producer, Edward J. Scott have been named by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as Lifetime Achievement Honorees at the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Melody and Ed will be presented with the award on June 7th during the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (8 PM ET/delayed PT) broadcast live on CBS and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+*.
In a statement Melody and Ed expressed, “We are honored and humbled to receive this recognition from NATAS. Throughout our decades-long careers in front of and behind the cameras, we have had the opportunity to work not only with each other, but also with an incredibly talented pool of people who excel in their crafts and are passionate about the art we create in daytime television. We are grateful to have worked side by side with them and to be included with such esteemed recipients who have made their mark in our industry. We look forward to spending another wonderful evening celebrating the daytime community!“
Adam Sharp, President and CEO, NATAS added,“We’ve long wanted to honor the legendary daytime duo of Melody Thomas Scott and her husband Edward J. Scott. With a combined 93 years of contributions to our community, they are true institutions in the world of Daytime television.”
In addition to Melody and Ed receiving their Lifetime Achievement honors, public television host and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich will also be honored.
Photo NATAS
Lidia Bastianich said, “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized and receive the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for having shared my passion for food with TV audiences for over 25 years. Cooking together and sharing food remain a common denominator of all cultures. Food nurtures, it connects diverse people, and it brings families, friends, and strangers together. There is no better place to be on this earth, especially in these trying times, than sharing food at a table with others. That simple idea has been the basis of my life’s work. Hence, as I say in my shows, “Tutti a Tavola a Mangiare!” Mille Grazie to NATAS for this honor.”
While Adam Sharp shared, “Lidia Bastianich’s astounding success combines her love of cooking while simultaneously entertaining millions each day. It is an honor for us to say ‘grazie’ for the many fine meals borne from her TV kitchen and cookbook pages.”
Melody Thomas Scott recently celebrated 45 years in the role of Nikki Newman, having joined the show in February 1979. Scott’s character has matured from the girl from the wrong side of the tracks to the serial’s luminous and resourceful leading lady. After garnering a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1999, she went on to win in the same category for the Soap Opera Digest Award in 2001 and received four Soap Opera Update Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress (1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996). Scott began her career at age three. She studied singing, tap dancing, ballet and jazz and became one of the world-famous “Meglin Kiddies,” performing in USO shows as she started booking national commercials and guest spots on such series as “Wagon Train,” “My Three Sons,” “Ironside” and a recurring role on “The Waltons.” Scott made her motion picture debut at age eight when she was cast by Alfred Hitchcock as the young Tippi Hedren in the thriller “Marnie.” She has co-starred with legendary actors Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. Scott has worked on stage and in numerous television shows and was the subject of Lifetime Television’s “Intimate Portrait.” As a lifelong fan of “I Love Lucy,” Scott served as a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, N.Y., which is committed to preserving the legacy of the great comedienne. In 2020,
Scott released her memoir, “Always Young and Restless.” Married since 1985 to Edward J. Scott, the couple have three daughters and five grandchildren.
Photo: JPI
Edward J. Scott is a six-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning producer who has played a pivotal role in the historic development of the soap opera genre for nearly five decades. Scott is currently supervising producer for The Bold and the Beautiful, the #2-rated daytime drama in the U.S. and the most-watched daily drama in the world, which is nominated for 12 Daytime Emmy Awards this year. Scott began his association with The Bell Family and Bell-Phillip Television Productions when he joined “The Young and The Restless” as an associate producer in 1976. He quickly moved up the ranks and served as the show’s executive producer for decades.
Scott’s legendary 48-year producing partnership and creative collaboration with “The Young and The Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” creators, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, and their son, Bradley P. Bell, has helped create the two most popular daily American television series. Today, both daytime dramas are syndicated internationally. Before joining “B&B” Scott was executive producer for the NBC daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, Scott earned a B.A from California State University at Northridge with a double major of anthropology and broadcasting journalism. He has been married since 1985 to actress and author Melody Thomas Scott. The couple have three daughters and five grandchildren.
So, excited to hear Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott and longtime daytime soap opera producer, Edward J. Scott are receiving this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honors at this years 51st Annual Daytime Emmys? Comment below.
‘Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit For Stand Up To Cancer’ Live Virtual Event Announced; Featuring Soap Opera Notables and Moving Tributes
May 2, 2024
Stand Up to Cancer in collaboration with Alan Locher and Michael Fairman, will come together for a a three-hour livestream benefit, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
Several stars from from daytime drama television past and present are scheduled to participate for an evening of stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer, and moving tributes to beloved daytime favorites who lost their battle plus musical performances.
Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story, streams live on Thursday, May 16, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/5 to 8 pm PT simultaneously on StandUpToCancer.org and YouTube channels The Locher Room and Michael Fairman Channel.
Photos: CBS and JPI
Tune-in for cancer survivorship stories with General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his cancer journey as well his memories of beloved The Young and the Restless co-star Meg Bennett, who passed from cancer April 11; and more.
Moving tributes to soap stars who’ve lost their cancer battles, including: Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden, a tribute to Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, as shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett, two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding LightOne Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keife, the iconic Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez and Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton(General Hospital)Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Photo: MEastonFacebook
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (*subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, Featuring Days of OurLives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); LesliKay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (GeneralHospital); Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
Courtesy/LaceyGorden
“Daytime television invites viewers into the private lives of characters, often bringing important issues like cancer screenings into living rooms and around water coolers. Soaps debuted the first cancer storyline in 1962 – years before the topic was discussed in the mainstream, and it left an indelible impact: a whole generation of women who scheduled a potentially life-saving Pap smear for the first time,” said Daytime Stands Up host Alan Locher. “For so many viewers, this brought the issue front and center,” added co-host Michael Fairman. “Today, it’s become almost impossible to avoid; but there is hope with cancer research, thanks to organizations like Stand Up To Cancer.”
SU2C Co-Founder Sue Schwartz, SU2C President and CEO Julian Adams, Ph.D., and SU2C Health Equity Committee Member Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., will also participate to speak to the importance of early detection, exciting scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing work yet to be done to make screenings and treatment equitable for all.
“This year, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer, presenting an opportunity for the public to stand with us and rise to the occasion,” said Adams. “We’re thankful to Alan Locher, Michael Fairman and our friends from the daytime television community, who will raise critical funding to honor those we’ve lost – and to propel new scientific breakthroughs for current and future patients. Everyone has a story, and we’re grateful to all of you for sharing yours.”
For over 15 years, SU2C has leveraged its relationship with the entertainment community – which includes more than 1,100 celebrity ambassadors – to generate public donations, increase awareness and fund cutting-edge cancer research. SU2C research has contributed to the development of more than 10 scientific breakthroughs that have significantly impacted the field and provided new treatment options for breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, pediatric and prostate cancers.
Photo: SUTC
In support of the event, SU2C will also be launching a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for fans to bid on items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of Young and Restless and signed merchandise from the Bold and Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, on Stand Up To Cancer’s website.
Are you looking forward to this very special one-night only virtual event to help benefit cancer research and shed light on the stories, performances and lives of the people we love and have loved in daytime TV? Comment below.
