General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean

General Hospital fans knew something was up when in the closing credits of the July 24 episode of the ABC soap opera, Nathan Dean’s name was removed. Fast-forward to the Monday, July 27 episode and Christian Howard has replaced Dean as the recast Ethan Lovett.
When Howard made his first on-screen appearance, the soap opera made no bones about the fact that this was not a temporary fill-in when in a voice-over announce they shared ‘The role of Ethan Lovett is now being played by Christian Howard.”
This marks a quick ending to Dean’s return to GH after six-years away as Luke (Anthony Geary) and Holly’s (Emma Samms) wayward son. In the spring, Nathan shared to TV Insider, that he settled on a short term four-month run in the part for 2026. Nathan debuted in the role of Ethan Lovett back in 2009 and played the part until his exit in 2012. He then made brief comebacks in 2013, 2015 and 2020.

Photo: ABC
WHERE DOES ETHAN LOVETT’S STORY GO FROM HERE?
Dean’s recent GH comeback began on the April 17, 2026 episode, where viewers eventually learned that Ethan had a connection to the mysterious Delilah Wilson (Lily Cardone), who died giving birth to a daughter.
That said daughter, wound up as Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) foster child who they are hoping to adopt. Initially, Ethan claimed to be the baby’s father, but later changed his tune when trapped with Ava Jerome (Maura West) after being shot. He admitted he is not baby Phoebe’s father.
On today’s July 27 episode, Christian Howard’s first scenes were at the Metro Court Pool with Maura West. In the scenes, Ethan continues to flirt and fight with Ava. His goal was to make sure she never told Brook Lynn and Chase, he is not Phoebe’s bio-dad so that their adoption can go off without a hitch.
This is not the first time, Dean has been recast as Ethan. Back in 2023, Ethan suddenly had blonde hair as played by James Ryan for a couple of episodes.
As for Howard, he has a very large background as an action-adventure actor and stuntman, Christian was born in the United Kingdom, and can be seen in episodes of Street Fighter: Resurrection, and Lucifer, among others.
It should be noted there is no word yet if Christian Howard is just finishing up scenes of Ethan Lovett, but will also exit shortly, or if his casting is for any substantial length of time.
So, what do you think about the sudden replacement of Nathan Dean as Ethan Lovett? If you caught GH today, how did Christian Howard do as his successor in the part? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In the picture here, he sort of resembles the actor who plays Chase. GH’s door swings to doggone much! I don’t know what happened, but I really liked the other actor as Ethan. He totally had bad boy charm!
I agree!☝️
Disappointed, but considering Nathan Dean only agreed to a four-month stint, this absolutely feels like a way to write Ethan out and relatively soon, because TPTB did not think this one out.
Indeed, it is quite upsetting, I didn’t know Nathan Dean agreed to 4 months, I knew his return was temporary and it sucks because Nathan’s Ethan was growing on me and was hoping the TPTB would get him on contract as I was definitely buying into the connection with Ava… it was hella fun to watch him go toe to toe with Maura West. I saw lots of potential there. And, it kinda also sucks because I had hoped Nathan’s Ethan would be around for Robert’s passing, I mean there were numerous questions if he was Robert’s son, but luckily he was Luke’s, besides that, his mother, Holly (Emma Samms)… I would definitely hope she returns to Port Charles for the memorial with Scorpio family etc etc, Anna, Robin, Emma, etc etc… and, sad as I was hoping that Nathan would stick around to support his mother… instead we to believe that CH is Ethan, not even close. He’s not an actor, his credits are more about stunts etc etc and he had a horrible performance on today’s show, actor, he is not, Ethan, he is not. Damn it, Nathan is Ethan. Hopefully, Ethan in the form of CH will be written our sooner rather than later.
*Nathan (as Ethan) would stick around to support his mother (Holly).
TBD. Not a fan of the recast but will give it time. I guess older actors flirting with younger women is a thing of the past Turnabout is fair play since she’s a good 20 years older than he is.
I I hate it! Looks like Cody. He can’t act…at least so far. I just don’t like it at all.
Since Nathan signed on for a 4-month stint, this was his time to go.
I think that because there was such a fun ‘back & forth‘ relationship with Ava, TPTB wanted to try to keep that going. I really couldn’t imagine Nathan’s Ethan in a romantic relationshihp with Ava, but I can imagine it with Christian’s Ethan!
I don’t agree. I like the
Play w the original Ethan!
I could have seen Charles Mesure playing Ethan more so. Nathan Dean and Charles Mesure both have a similar savviness
CM left once and likely not on the best of terms. They’re not rehiring him for another character! And even if they’d consider it, CM’s way too old – 55. Nathan (the character) is 39-40.
Absolutely would have been MUCH better. Actually, anyone would be better than this guy.
Charles would be too old for Ethan. If they were ever to bring him back as a recast of an existing character (other than Brennan) the obvious choice would be Jasper Jacks.
Because we all know Ingo ain’t ever coming back. He not only burned his bridges, he nuked them.
Having said that though, I think the odds of Mesure coming back are about the same as the odds of me needing a snow shovel down here next week.
Too quick of recast for viewers regardless of Nathan Dean’s intentions. Always fun to see previous cast return to their original role. Ava needs a love interest but no so sure Christian is the one!
Very disappointed that the new Ethan doesn’t quite fit. He doesn’t have the look for being Ethan nor the swagger.
I agree
Hope they write him out soon
Nathan is the only Ethan.
Dean’s last episode aired on July 17 – exactly 3 months since he returned. At least with Christian, the Nathan/Ethan name confusion goes away.
Prefer Nathan. Too much change at once. Michael Corinthos, Maxi and family gone, Scout and Amelia are grown, and now Nathan’s gone…
WTH is going on with the writers of GH? I have been watching this show for 62 years and I have never been so angry and frustrated with all of the craziness. Writing off an entire family instead of recasting Maxi? They’ve recast her before? Recasting Ethan after a couple months when fans were so thrilled to have him back? Still no farewell episode for Robert or Leslie? They are just leaving their characters hang out there after their passings? I am beginning to think the writers are day drinking or purposely trying to sabotage the show!! Calgon take me away, it’s mind boggling to say the least!!
This current writers team seems to enjoy writing off characters that should be on the show. Where are Elizabeth’s sons, especially Jake, who should be on screen bonding with Sadly Jason. Aiden hasn’t been seen since Lucky left last year. All thre Webber boys are gone. Serena Baldwin is returning soon, but these writers wrote off Scotty, her father, about two years ago. I would love tonsee anyone of these characters return. Unfortunately, the Reeves, Tate, Fasion family has dominating the show the last few years.
Omg! Everyone here has depressed me!
I already know I will agree with everything that has been written.
I have no tv, internet, etc. at the moment because of some stupid issue w/the cable co. So I cannot watch Mon.’s show.
I definitely did not like the Scout recast.
I’m upset about the Maxi/Australia move, too. They could have recast Kirsten Storms, like they did the Lulu character.
I had no clue Ethan had only returned for 3 months. I was thrilled when the actor appeared on my tv!
Chase is such a flunkie anymore. I wish they would dump him.
And where is the show honoring Tristan Rogers? He was on GH from the time I left for college & I’m 78 now!
And you are right about “Monica” too.
I don’t think I ever noticed much after they brought her sister on.
The writers are a disgrace to the history of the show and for aging the child actors.
And whoever does the hiring, needs to improve their skills and watch the older shows for guidance. They definitely suck at their job.
There is no respect for the children who did a wonderful job bringing their characters to life.
GH is becoming unwatchable.
I agree, fan wwere so thrilled… And, I was thinking about Leslie the other day, and wondering WTF is GH doing about the character passing away… it will open up dyanmics and story for Laura and Lulu and if JJ makes a very brief appearance, same with NICKOLAS who loved his Grandma Lesley, as she was night and day to Helena Cassadine. Word on the street that Robert’s passing is around the corner, in the next month or two, thankfully, Finola Hughes (Anna) has returned.
I’m pissed actually!
I don’t know how long this new one will be one. I like the the Ethan Lovett better.
GH dropped the ball on this recast which is unusual for the show
I don’t like the change. GH id notorious for this. Ryan PAEVEY storyline is over, and Ethan’s gone. Now o kno Why I never watched
This recast was completely unnecessary. We all know Ethan was brought back to fill the temporary “Jason gap”. Just as AJ escaped from Hell literally 2 days after Jason fell off the docks in 2012. And Drew was recast just in time for Jason to rescue him and then get buried in a cave in 2021.
There weren’t any spare Quartermaine brothers available for this year’s Jason absence, so they brought back the long lost Spencer offspring instead, which is fine. But apparently Nathan Dean would only commit for exactly that length of time. So now that Jason’s back, he’s gone. There’s really no point in keeping the character around. Especially not with an actor who doesn’t look or sound a thing like Nathan Dean, but actually looks like some sort of Chase/Cody hybrid clone.
There’s already enough newbies on GH now and in the immediate future. Don’t need to keep this one around.
He also closely resembles Joe and the new doctor Tristan. These guys are going to need to wear name tags so I know who’s who.
He looks way too much like the new cop (we don’t need)-although I have a feeling he’s gay & will be Lucas’ new boyfriend. So I guess Lucas needs him. Plus Ethan had the accent! Same with the recast of Jack. The original had an accent, recast does not. Don’t love the Scout recast either.
Replacing Nathan Dean as Ethan Lovett would be like recasting Anthony Geary as Luke Spencer!
That’s quite a stretch. Ethan has never reached the icon status of Luke.
The new Ethan is too clean cut. Ethan’s a thug/smarty pants, this new guy looks like Cody’s twin brother and Victor Newman’s (Y&R) little brother. He was an awful casting pick. I also thought that the new Jack Brennan was a terrible casting pick. I have a hard time buying that this guy is a big wig with the WSB. He looks like a beagle puppy. The Australian guy that he replaced, smacked of smart ass/wild cat.
I’m not an Ava fan, but gurl has chemistry with a brick wall. This guy – not feeling it; has nothing to do with an accent.
Totally agree
We learn to adapt, there’s a reason for every recast. Takes time for the actor to grow in the role. Hopefully he’ll blend in with the rest of the cast. I will say very little gets out of the GH set with spoilers that someone is coming or going, since this happened weeks ago.
what was the point of a 4 month stint with a storyline that they still want to play out? ryan Paevey as Causious at least was better executed, this is dissappointing, if this was only a guest stint then thats different then making the audience think the actor was sticking around for a while, regardless if the actor is gone and it was only suppose to be for 4 months then lets have the characgter leave altogether.
I didn’t know how to feel about It, i just didn’t see any chemistry between him and Maura at all, I read something where Nathen Dean was coming back lateron,. I just want to know if he’s okay, and yes I need Nathan back as Ethan
I love him! Total i-candy . Hope other fella lands something soon. Hate seeing anyone out of work, it’s not fun.
Wow! Surprised to see some
Of the comments based off
One days performance. Recasts can be jarring, but shouldn’t we give the actor a fair chance?
I thought he did
Fine today and I am always glad to see Ava any chance we can. Maura West is Amazing and is deserving of a front burner storyline. Desperately want her to be given some meaty Emmy worthy storylines and would
Love, Love, Love to see her and Tracy in scenes together!!
I have always loved Nathan Dean as Ethan. So disappointed he is replaced!
What is Nathan Dean doing now?
This is as disappointing as the Lucky return. But considering the GH writers did give us a hint that Ethan would exit by end of the summer or July sweeps, I won’t be surprised if Ethan leaves town within the next two weeks.
Worst casting choice ever. This guy is no Ethan. If you can’t find someone better for Etan’s character you should just write him out altogether. What a huge disappointment.
Yes, changes happen, but its been rapid fire with GH lately. I know that GH is the lone soap for ABC and Frank Valentini is doing everything to keep it on the air. But, the writers need to slow down. Also, at one point everything was about the mob and now it’s WSB overload and Joss being an agent, I ain’t buying it. If the previous actor wasn’t available to play Ethan, then don’t bring the character back. Ethan could have arrived for Robert Scorpio’s exit storyline and that would have been that. Slow down GH and don’t follow the formula of Y&R where nothing makes sense.
I’ll give him more than one episode to see how I feel.
This is a huge disappointment. Maura and Nathan had amazing chemistry and I was so looking forward to Ava finally having a storyline of her own. She ought to be the lead, along with Nina, and not Carly! I didn’t know Nathan only planned on being on the show for four months.
I like the Nathan Dean better. He had Hollys accent.looked like her… plus this new guy is skinny and small to step into Jasons shoes.
Do not like new Ethan
I like the original the best.
Oh guys stop it. Christian Howard is a very seasoned actor with many credits behind him.It is a real coup for GH to get him.
That does not necessarily mean he is right for the role of Ethan or the medium of daytime.
There is absolutely no chemistry between the new Ethan & Ava. Whereas there was huge chemistry between old Ethan & Ava. I’m not feeling them at all & just wanna fast forward through their scenes. They should’ve just written out Ethan all together when Nathan left. If he ever returns, he & Ava can pick up where they left off. Sorry no offense to the new actor, I’m sure he’s great but I can’t see him as Ethan. It’s like watching the substitute Lucky kissing Liz for the first time in years in that ridiculous Valentine’s episode. Instead of waiting for Jonathan Jackson to return a couple episodes later, they had a substitute Lucky & Liz kiss which was so cringe! The writers are a huge fail sometimes
Why does the return of Luke’s sons never seen to work out as planned ? The comparison with Lucky’s return is a great point.
Ok, I watched him as Ethan today and no, I’m not buying it. If this is just a way to write the character out, then ok.
Poor recasting. The guy does not fit the character and where is the Australian accent?
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

The former Michael Corinthos of General Hospital, Chad Duell, will participate in a livestream chat to discuss his new foray into music, his time on the ABC soap opera and much more. Circle, Wednesday, August 19 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT, when Chad visits You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Recently, Duell has launched a new side of himself under the musical name “Duelly” and has released two EDM-style tracks. The most recent, Static in the Quiet Room which dropped in August, and previously If You Need Me which dropped in June. In his new musical venture, Chad is said to primarily be the songwriter, producer and pianist on his tracks.
Previously, Chad stepped away from his Daytime Emmy-winning role as Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) son after a nearly 15-year run. A decision he made towards the end of 2024. Viewers last saw his version of Michael on the January 21, 2025 episode where Michael was recovering from severe burns and injuries suffered in the penthouse explosion at Sonny’s. The character was recast with Rory Gibson, who debuted at the end of May 2025 during the GH Nurses’ Ball.

Photo: JPI
CHAD ON DECISION TO STEP AWAY FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL
Chad has previously sat down for a conversation on The Able Show seven months ago, where he doubled-down on his decision to walk away from General Hospital when he did. Duell explained, “I’m blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have. But what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened.”
Sadly, Duell suffered the devastating loss of his beloved father in 2024, which also was very difficult for him as he detailed, sharing, “On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

Photo: CDuellIG
BEING A DAD TO SON DAWSON
In addition, after exiting General Hospital, Chad had been busy raising his young son, Dawson who will be 3 on August 30, along with his partner, Luana Lucci, while continue his aspirations of putting out music and continuing his acting.
If you have a question, you would like posed to Chad during the live broadcast, but cannot be with us on Wednesday, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask in live on the air! For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams and special event coverage make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, would you like to see Chad find success with his music, return to the soaps on another show in a new role? If so, where? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Is ‘Jarly’ the Best Relationship in Soaps? Should Jason Go Work for the Quartermaines?

General Hospital’s Carly (Laura Wright) and Jason’s (Steve Burton) bond will never been broken, and they reaffirmed that on the Friday, August 14 episode of the ABC soap opera.
For the first time since making his decision to leave the mob and work for Sonny (Maurice Benard), Jason sits down with Carly in her kitchen and breaks the news to her. She is shocked.
Jason explains that his time in Jakarta imprisoned by the WSB gave him time to think, and that he came to the realization his priorities are mixed up and he needs to put his son, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) first. When Carly asked how Sonny took the news, a tearful Jason explains that Sonny understood. Carly defends Jason’s decision as the right one.

Photo: ABC
The two share a heartfelt moment from across the kitchen table when Carly takes Jason’s hand and acknowledged how difficult it must be for him, considering his loyalty to Sonny all these years. That prompted Jason to apologize to Carly for the all times that his loyalty to Sonny had to come first over his loyalty to her. Carly says she married Sonny five different times and had his children. She understands it’s difficult to walk away and about loyalty, through her tears.
LIFE AFTER SONNY
When Carly asks Jason what is he going to do now, Jason tells his bff he hasn’t figured that out yet. Carly can’t believe she’s going to say this, but the Quartermaines could use his help. She believes Jason has a perspective that could help Ned (Wally Kurth) and Michael (Rory Gibson) at ELQ and Tracy (Jane Elliot) would love to have Jason at the company. Jason says he has to think about, and that it can’t interfere in his relationship with his son.
At the end of the discussion, Jason and Carly love lives are brought up. Let’s not forget, they previously married each other in September of 2021. This is when Sonny was presumed dead, only to show up before the final paperwork was signed, which nullified the best friend’s marriage to each other, and they suddenly went back to being friends.
NO QUESTIONS ON THEIR CURRENT LOVE LIVES
Now in 2026, Carly wonders if Jason told Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) he has left the mob, to which he informs her he hasn’t told her yet, while Carly tells Jason she will keep her relationship with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) out of their friendship.
They both know the other is not too happy with their current romantic partners. But, whether Jason and Britt can actually get back on sound footing, and pick up where they left off before Jason was taken by the WSB, is still left to be seen.
In the end, any scenes that showcase the ongoing bond between Jason and Carly in the hands of Steve Burton and Laura Wright, is always moving and played to perfection by these two long-running staples of the General Hospital brand.
So this all begs a few questions: Should Jason go work for the Quartermaines? Do you think it would be interesting to see him in business, or do you think he would hate it and be bored? Do you think of all the friendships on the current landscape of soap operas still on the air that Carly and Jason’s is one of the best? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Maurice Benard Talks: New ‘Sonny’ Storyline, His Contract, and Three Characters He Would Want to See Back in Port Charles

Three-time Daytime Emmy-winner Maurice Benard teased what’s on deck for General Hospital’s Sonny Corinthos, his future with the soap opera, and just who he would love to see make a return, during an in-depth conversation with ESPN Radio New York host, Ty Butler.
Benard appeared this week on Butler’s You Tube channel, and it’s clear that Butler and his real-life family are deep fans of General Hospital, so he had some pointed questions for Maurice from what’s happening currently in Port Charles to look backs at Sonny’s past.
Now that Sonny has decided to get out of the mob, Benard teased what’s coming up for the apparent “former” mobster, “When (the writers) told me I was out of the mob it didn’t throw me. I was like, ‘let’s see what I can do here.’ There were a lot of people during the hey day of the gangster period (on GH), who did not like it. (They would say) ‘It’s too much Sonny, it’s too much violence.'”

Photo: ABC
WITH SONNY OUT OF THE MOB, WHAT’S NEXT?
However, the long-running GH mainstay added, “I don’t care what I’m doing as long as Sonny maintains power, and that power doesn’t mean killing people, or being a gangster. You can be powerful in business. You can be powerful over here, and I think they’re doing that. I do know the story (coming up) and I can’t say (much more), but it’s really amazing. When I heard about it, I said, “Oh, wow!”‘
This week, Maurice marks his 33rd anniversary in the role of Sonny. It’s a role he began back on-screen on August 13, 1993. But how many years might the popular star have left in the tank to remain in Port Charles? Maurice explained his position on that, “My contract is up February or March (2027). So up until then, I’ll just tell you guys that the upcoming story, I’m very happy with it.”
He added, “I’m not going to retire soon, but I’m at a certain point where I can retire if I wanted. But, I don’t want to as long as I’m happy at GH, and I’ve been happy at GH for a while now. So, they’re going have to kick me out. They’re going to have to say, “Nah, we’ve had enough. Get the hell out.”‘

Photo: JPI
HOW WOULD THE END COME FOR SONNY CORINTHOS IF MAURICE BENARD EVER EXITED GENERAL HOSPITAL?
During their conversation, Butler asked, if the time would come that Maurice were to make an exit from General Hospital, how would he like it to go down. The longtime GH star had an answer that if he were to leave, he should go out on a big cliffhanger. “Something happens to one of his children and it’s his fault. Sonny can’t take it,” explains Maurice on his Port Charles alter-ego. “He goes home, he takes a shot of whiskey. (Then), Sonny goes upstairs and all you hear is BOOM. And it goes to black. Now, if it were a movie, it would work. But let me tell you something … it’s a soap opera. You don’t know if Sonny did it! You don’t know if somebody else did it, set it all up to make him look like he did. You don’t know. So there’s a big story there, right?”
BLASTS FROM THE PAST
When asked by the ESPN radio host, what cast member would he like to see return to the show? Benard named three characters, and they are: Brenda (Vanessa Marcil), Luke (the late Anthony Geary, obviously that was stated as Benard misses him dearly) and Morgan (last played by Bryan Craig).
You can check out the full conversation with Maurice below on the The Ty Butler Show.
Now, let us know, what do you think is the new storyline that is about to kick-off, other than we know Sonny is getting out of the mob, and wants to get Sidwell’s assets and keep them away from Drew? Glad to hear Maurice does not plan on leaving General Hospital anytime soon? And, do you agree with Maurice … would you like to see the characters of Brenda and Morgan come back to the Port Charles canvas? Let us know via the comment section.
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