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GH’s Adam J. Harrington on Being a Recast John “Jagger” Cates: “There is No Way I Can Even Touch What Antonio Sabato Jr. Did With the Role in the Past … If They Are Going My Way They Were Going to Take This in a Different Direction”

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC/JPI

General Hospital fans were recently in for a shock when a new man arrived in Port Charles who went by the name of John Cates. As it turns out John Cates used to go by the nickname of “Jagger” and had lived in the town many years ago.

That’s because actor Adam Harrington was recast in the role of FBI Cates. The part was originally made soap-famous in the 90’s by Antonio Sabato Jr. “Jagger” appeared on the ABC daytime drama series from 1992-1994 and then in its spinoff GH: Night Shift in 2008 before the character left Port Charles with his young autistic son. “Jagger” was also the older brother to the late Stone Cates (Michael Sutton).

Now in 2024, GH has brought the character back and Adam J. Harrington is on contract with the series. The actor spoke to Soap Opera Digest about the obvious difference in look and take on the role than “Jagger’s” original portrayer, Antonio Sabato Jr.

Photo: ABC

Adam expressed: “My take on it was that it’s been 30 years; they obviously wanted to take this in a new direction and see what they could do with this storyline. And I also thought, ‘There is no way I can even touch what Antonio Sabato, Jr. did with the role in the past.’ Although I know it would be jarring for fans, in some ways, I was very happy that I didn’t look like I was going to try to mimic or echo at all what they had done with that storyline.”

Chiming in on replacing an actor in a role made soap-famous by someone else, Harrington added, “Obviously, if they’re going my way, they were going to take this in a different direction with so much time having passed. TV is immortal and still very much fresh in people’s minds, but like I said, I took the recasting and looking so obviously different as them saying, ‘Okay, we’re going to take this in a different direction and we are not trying to replace or touch what was originally a beautiful story.”’

Previously, Sabato Jr. had a few things to say about not being asked back to reprise his signature role for more than 30 years by the ABC soap opera.

Photo: ABC

As to just who this new version of John Cates will be romantically linked with, fans are seeing a spark between he and Jordan (Tanisha Harper), or could he wind up with Anna (Finola Hughes), or another lady on the canvas? “I think there is an element here of him coming to town, throwing a new guy into the mix,” Harrington shares.”We’ll see who he quote-unquote bonds with and who he doesn’t.”

Photo: ABC

So what do you think of the recast John “Jagger” Cates? Do you like where the show is taking the character? Do you appreciate Adam’s candor on acknowledging what Antonio Sabato Jr. did with this role in the past? Comment below.

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I really like what gh is doing have watched show since day one can’t wait for Steve burton to come back

Been watching GH for 55 years. Excited that Steve Burton is finally returning as Jason. Don’t like the “New” Jagger at all!!!! Please bring back the “Original” Jagger, period!!!!! You brought back “Lois” love, love, love that she’s back!! Please bring back the great characters from the long ago.

Antonio is a nut case and a MAGA. Pls, he can’t act. This guy can act and is charismatic. Plus, he’s sane!

I rather see the original cast and not replace a character from 30 years ago with someone new. It makes no since. I prefer Antonia to return or don’t replace with someone else ..

I agree.

I really like this guy! He has such an impressive reume so I give him a lot of credit for being willing to try daytime. He talks very respectfully of it and kudos to him for doing his research into the character.He seems very aware that his look is very different for the part and aknowledges that it may be a bit jarring for fans. A very aware actor!

I just hope he will not be a casualty of the new writers as he has great potential.

Tarzan or surfer boy ? Can decide the vibe

The only vibe I’m getting from the recast is “younger version of Cyrus the Virus”.

At least in terms of his looks, if not his occupation.

And knowing how Cyrus has been on this kick lately (despite his claims of being “redeemed” by the blood of my old friend JC and all) of wanting to be loved and respected by the people of Port Charles just like Sonny is…. wouldn’t it be an ironic twist if one of Sonny’ s best friends ever – Stone Cates – turned out to be Cyrus’s son. Because if Jagger (or John, as he now prefers to be called) is the son of Cyrus, Stone probably would be as well.

And of course, Robin Scorpio knew both Stone & Jagger as well, which Cyrus might try to use to his advanatage in dealing with the current police commissoner & district attorney, who just happen to be Robin’s parents.

I get a Tarzan or surfer boy vibe with the recast

Personally, I wish they would have just brought him on as a new character  vs recast with a Keith Urban doppelganger… it’s just going to take a while to get used to seeing his face on screen and being called ‘Jagger’ because that was such an iconic role/look with Antonio.

It’s been 30 years since Jagger Cates was a regular character on GH. I know my life has changed in 30 years. There is no reason why a fictional character cannot have changed, grown, developed over the last 3 decades. Congratulations to Adam Harrington. I’m sure you will make John Cates your very own.

I don’t mind the recast at all because that’s what soap operas do. Adam J Harrington has this look about him different from anybody else on the show I love it. Blonde hair blue eyes and tan oh my God he’s a beautiful man

At first I was disappointed that it wasn’t Antonio but I know that ship has sailed so I think they did well in casting a whole different vibe. John had scenes with Sonny and they were excellent! Thats when the new actor won me over!

Absolutely NOT. This guy does NOT have the same physical attributes as Jagger’s previous portrayer. He does NOT have dark hair and dark eyes nor does he have the build of Sabato. He looks nothing like Stone.

He does not have to look like another actor to play the part. Look how many Carlys they’ve had, some dark haired and some blonde.

I remember when Blair was Asian and replaced by a blonde Caucasian.

That is so funny! Are you serious? The whole idea sounds ludicrous.

Well, no disrespect to the new Jagger…but this was a horrible recast! Now the new Jagger is a very attractive man but.. there is no comparrison to him and Antonio Sabato Jr. No comparisson.Why does GH do stupid stuff like this?!? If you gonna bring a character back bring back the original! Antonio was willing to return GH just did not ask him. WHY?!? WAS HE A PROBLEM ON SET?!? WHAT? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE! I DON’T UNDERSTAND ! JAGGER WAS ETHNIC WITH DARK HAIR AND FEATURES. THE RECAST IS WHITE WITH BLUE EYES! WHAT THE HELL?!? WOMEN AND SOME MEN LOVED ANTONIO, WHO IS STILL A HANDSOME VIBRANT MAN. WHAT THE HELL GH?!? Help us understand this completely crazy recast!

Speaking of crazy, have you seen Antonio lately? Even he doesn’t look like Jagger anymore. And he’s also gone off the deep end- there’s a reason why he’s not finding work in the industry these days. I do wish you’d calm down. The all caps aren’t a good look and suggests that you are screaming.

Missing the “Real” Jagger Cates. Not thrilled with the “Ken doll” version !!!

I am thrilled with new Jagger! very intense and great chemistry with Anna and Jordan. He conveys the character’s disdain for Sonny very well.

The storyline with John “Jagger” Cates is fine I don’t like that they didn’t keep the original look or bring back Antonio to play the part! First of all this guy doesn’t fit Jagger at all! He is Blonde! My understanding Jagger and Stone had dark hair! And I don’t like it! I get He angry with Sonny so it’s clouding his investigation! Now that Pikeman case is over he is trying his best to bring down Sonny with Ava’s assistance of all people come on writers please do better!

General Hospital

Finola Hughes First Airdate Back to ‘General Hospital’ Revealed: But What Will Be the State of Anna Devane’s Mental Health?

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The highly-anticipated return of Daytime Emmy winner, Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) to General Hospital is just around the corner. It’s next week! Anna’s back starting with the Wednesday June 24 episode of the ABC daytime drama series.

Hughes has been off the soap opera on-screen since February. Now, the question becomes, when viewers see Anna, will she be in the same condition she was when we last saw her? Believing Cesar Faison is alive, and traumatized from the hallucinogenic drugs she was served up from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and company while held captive at Wyndemere?

Anna was last seen in a mental clinic in France, but also left word of her captivity on the wall inside the secret room at Wyndemere where Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) are now being held against their will, too!

Photo: ABC

ANNA ON HER WAY BACK TO PORT CHARLES?

Even though Finola Hughes has not been on the canvas for months, Anna has certainly been talked about. In fact, super spy Anna, nearly escaped and made it as far as Switzerland before being recaptured. Since that time she is said to be housed at a high-security institution. We were then told that Congresswoman Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) went to bat for Anna with the authorities overseas, and had her transferred to a more comfortable facility.

How will Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) play into saving Anna? We know he flipped out after learning what was happening and tried to phone the facility as Dr. Kevin Collins, but that backfired making him public enemy number one with the WSB.

Here’s what to look for on episodes featuring Finola Hughes on her first week back below:

On Wednesday, June 24 official General Hospital spoilers share: Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

Then, when we next see Anna on the Friday, June 26 episode, official GH spoilers add: Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

ANNA/VALENTIN/CARLY

In addition, General Hospital co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten teased summer story to Soap Opera Digest, including some intel on Anna’s return to Port Charles. The scribes shared that Anna’s presence doesn’t mean that Rocco (Finn Carr) is out of the woods for shooting Cullum, and that Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) would face some hard questions from the super spy as well, plus a major decision made by Jason (Steve Burton) is said to have big implications for Anna.

There is also the fact that while Anna was in a mental facility in France, Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin have become lovers and developed feelings for one another while in Port Charles. Will a triangle ensue? Stay tuned.

So, what do you think will be Anna’s mental state when viewers see her next week on GH? Will she be OK? Suffer from PTSD? Be faking it at this point, or be a changed woman? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sidwell Surfaces; A Twist in Britt’s Condition

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On the Thursday, June 18 episode of General Hospital, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) makes his shocking return right in Port Charles, after fleeing (thanks to Cassius) to supposedly parts unknown to escape capture for trying to kill Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis).

How does he show up in town? First, Ezra (Daniel Cosgrove) gets a text from Jacinda (Paige Herschell) to meet in his hotel room. Ezra thinks the two are going to have a sexcapade so he puts champagne on ice for his favorite escort.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. Ezra’s excitement turns towards fear as instead of Jacinda, Sidwell is standing in front of him. Next, Sidwell blackmails Boyle telling him he has plenty of leverage he can use against him. Sidwell wants to use Ezra to help him takedown, Sonny (Maurice Benard), Lucas, Laura (Genie Francis) and Cullum.

Courtesy/ABC

ARE SIDWELL’S DAYS NUMBERED?

Meanwhile, Sonny confides in his brother, Ric (Rick Hearst). He says he knows who killed Marco an he is going to use that intel to lure Sidwell out of hiding.  Sonny also shares he is going to kill Sidwell, and handle this by himself. He gave the PCPD a chance, but they failed to nab Sidwell for good and lock him up.

Sonny also has been tracking the whereabouts of Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) and Rocco (Finn Carr) through Brick, and learned they took a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and then boarded a fairy to take them somewhere off the island.

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT’S ‘SYMPTOMS’ RETURN

Turns out, Britt and Rocco are hiding out in the British Virgin Islands. Britt set up Rocco with a burner phone and a VPN on her tablet, that is not traceable. Rocco reads on the tablet about Lucas’ shooting. Britt starts to have the shakes and passes out. When she comes to, Britt won’t let Rocco call a doctor, but he uses his phone to step on the balcony and call Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) and ask for help. Charlotte looks shocked to hear from her brother as Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) looks on!

Courtesy/ABC

However, Joe (Jonathan Bennett) could be the one to put two and two together! While at General Hospital and after questioning Lucas about a syringe he found that was in someone’s possession. the toxicology report showed traces of saline solution, not actual medication. He asks Dr. Jones, why someone would inject themselves with saline? Lucas responds saline is harmless and would have no effect on someone.

So, does this mean that this entire time, Britt has been led to believe that the medication she was taking to treat her Huntington’s disease was placebo? Has Britt been lied to into believing she is dying? Is something else wrong with her instead?

Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below, and if you are ready for Sidwell to finally get his comeuppance from Sonny! But first, watch the scenes where Sidwell comes out of hiding and blackmails Ezra Boyle.

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‘SNL’s’ Sarah Sherman and ‘Good Hang’s’ Amy Poehler Share Love of ‘General Hospital’

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Saturday Night Live veterans apparently love ABC’s General Hospital! In the latest episode of the Emmy-winning podcast, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, the former SNL cast member spoke to her guest, and current SNL cast member, Sarah Sherman for a lively conversation.

Suddenly the topic of soap operas got brought up and Sherman asked Poehler, “Did you grow up watching soaps?” And the Good Hang host answered, “Yeah. I watched General Hospital.” Sherman responded, “My favorite show of all-time.”

Then, Poehler says to Sherman, “Weren’t you on a soap?” Prompting Sarah to admit, “I begged to be on General Hospital, so I could bring mom (to the set) and we met Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and sobbed for days.”

Photo: ABC

DIALECT COACH TO LOIS CERULLO

As GH fans recall, Sherman was on for a two-day guest stint back in September of 2024, when she portrayed, Lois Cerullo’s (Rena Sofer) dialect coach, when Lois was upset by her thick Brooklyn (Bensonhurst to be exact) accent when trying to sell Deception cosmetics on the fictional home shopping network, Home and Heart.

Sherman showed up on GH as Ms. Finch, described as “a spirited etiquette teacher for Lois Cerullo.” After her taping, Sherman had told PEOPLE at that time, “I had the best time of (my) life,” and was thrilled she got to share the screen with Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot).

Photo: TV Academy

In addition to Sherman, Poehler shared she had just talked with American comedy writer, producer Paula Pel who revealed she loved the soaps, too, but had never been on one. Maybe, she will also make a guest stint one day on one of the five soaps still going, if not General Hospital.

You can check out Poehler and Sherman’s conversation below. The General Hospital comments come around the 1 hour 4 minute mark.

Now let us know, are you happy to hear Amy Poehler can be added to the list of celebs who watched General Hospital? What did you think of Sarah Sherman’s guest visit to GH as Ms. Finch? What did you think of her love for Sonny Corinthos AKA Maurice Benard? Let us know via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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