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: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit

General Hospital viewers became concerned when on the Thursday, November 5 episode, Tracy (Jane Elliot) was preparing to leave Port Charles to go help her son, Dillon Quartermaine, who got arrested while trying to film in Thailand.
Tracy informed Jason (Steve Burton), that she had to leave and was counting on him to look after things while she was away. That included: making sure Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and baby Phoebe were safe from the likes of Jude Jax (Wil Traval) as well as the Quartermaine businesses since Ned (Wally Kurth) still can’t overexert himself since his heart attack.
In Tracy’s final scenes, for now, she tells Gio (Giovanni Mazza) and Emma (Braedyn Bruner) to be there for Brook Lynn while she is going through her ordeal after divorcing Chase (Josh Swickard) and Jude trying to claim baby Phoebe.

Courtesy/ABC
HOW LONG WILL JANE ELLIOT BE GONE FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL?
However, GH fans! Have no fear. Tracy’s exit was written into the show to facilitate Jane Elliot’s annual vacation. Same time last year, Elliot exited the canvas around this time after the entire Ronnie Bard/Martin Grey debacle; where they conspired to make it look like Monica left the Quartermaine mansion to her sister, Ronnie (Erika Slezak) instead of Tracy. In that storyline, Tracy took off for a spa in France for some much-needed R&R.
Now, according to Soap Opera Digest, while viewers are just seeing the beginnings of Jane Elliot’s temporary leave, the soap opera confirmed that the long-running star is already back taping new episodes. GH roughly runs about six weeks ahead of air in its production schedule.

Photo: JPI
ALL ABOUT JANE
Jane Elliot started her GH journey back in 1978, and has come and gone a few times including an announced retirement back in 2017, only to eventually come out of retirement a few tines, and rejoin the show full-time in 2023.
Along the way, Elliot has won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress back in 1981, and in 2025 was honored for her 50 years of excellence in daytime television becoming a Gold Circle honoree from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Jane at that time, immediately after receiving her honor on-stage. You can check out that interview here.
Now below, watch scenes from Thursday’s GH where Tracy informs Jason she has to leave the country and go help her son.
Then let us know, with the mention of Dillon Quartermaine on today’s GH, will the soap opera FINALLY recast the role? Will you miss Jane while she is off-screen? Glad to know she is already back taping all-new episodes of the ABC daytime drama series? Let us know in the comment section.
General Hospital
GH’s Finola Hughes and Laura Wright Tease Anna/Valentin/Carly, “It’s Not Your Typical Triangle, We’ll Say That”

On General Hospital, Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are now dealing with the fallout of their discovery, the dead body of Jack Brennan. While Carly became a suspect, now the two need to figure out just who was responsible for the former WSB Port Charles Bureau chief’s sudden ending.
Meanwhile, Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is trying to put her shattered life back together, after almost killing Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), hallucinating she was seeing a dead Peter August (Wes Ramsey) and trying to shake off years of trauma at the hands of Cesar Faison (Anders Hove).
While it has become apparent that Valentin and Carly love each other, the same holds true for Valentin and Anna, but is it differently, now that the former lovers are apart? However, it appears when Anna is in trouble, Valentin shows up to save her. That is not lost on Carly, who up until now has tried to be adult about the whole situation, but how long will that last?

Photo: ABC
Michael Fairman TV caught up with both Daytime Emmy-winning Lead Actresses on the red carpet at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards and asked them to weigh-in on what viewers can expect, and what’s it has been like working with leading man, James Patrick Stuart.
Laura Wright explained, “James is hilarious. I would say most of our dress rehearsals are laughing it out because we’ve got to show up for taping, but he’s very funny.” Finola Hughes echoed that with, “He’s a very funny person, always,” adding, “I couldn’t be in a scene with him and Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn, GH). It was him, me, and Amanda one time. We couldn’t get through the scene!”

Photo: ABC
The discussion turned to if GH viewers will see Anna and Carly fighting over the love of Valentin. Laura Wright shared, “Not in the way you would think. It’s not your typical triangle. We’ll say that.” Finola Hughes concurred, “It’s not your typical triangle!”
Watch our chat from the red carpet with Finola and Laura below, and make sure to check out all the moments from Michael Fairman TV at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards here.
So, do you think Valentin will be caught in an actual love triangle between Anna and Carly, or will he be fully in his relationship with Carly, only to find himself constantly coming to the rescue of Anna Devane, causing an ultimate riff in his relationship with Carly? Who would you like to see Valentin with … Anna or Carly? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson and Katelyn MacMullen Believe Michael and Willow Still Love Each Other, But What About Chase?

On General Hospital, the marriage of Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) and Willow Tait (Katelyn MacMullen) took a massive nosedive after she had an affair with his uncle Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison).
But nobody was prepared for what came next, which saw nasty custody fights between the now exes over their children, Amelia and Wiley, and then Willow shooting Drew and injecting him with a paralytic drug and that’s all just for starters.
Fast-forward and one has to ask, deep down do these two still really love each other? We saw signs of it. Remember when Michael came to Willow’s rescue after Jacinda (Paige Herschell) drugged her? But, where are they at now?
We went right to the source, Rory Gibson and Katelyn MacMullen, to ask them theie thoughts on the messy feelings of Michael and Willow during Michael Fairman TV’s chat with the duo on the red carpet at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
Rory Gibson weighed-in on the state of Michael and Willow sharing, “I think at the end of the day. that’s the only reason that the fights end up as kind of big and nasty as they are, because they do have such a deep love for each other. They just can’t seem to see eye to eye on certain things.”
In response, Katelyn MacMullen joked, “I mean, Michael and Willow can’t pick the same movie. There’s nothing we agree on. Lunch.” Rory chimed in, “Different dinners!”
Do they hope that Willow’s crimes will be exposed before the clock turns into 2027? Rory Gibson said, “I really hope so!” However, Katelyn responded with, “I hope not! I just want Willow to keep getting away with everything. Michael did it. He does all these terrible things. That’s all I’ll say.”

Photo: ABC
LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE OR OLD FLAME?
Meanwhile, it looks like GH is setting up Willow and Chase (Josh Swickard) to hook up and Michael and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) too. When pressed, Katelyn expressed about her Port Charles alter-egos feelings for her other ex!
“Chase and Willow obviously have a lot of history, so I mean, he’s always sort of been there for her, and seen this pure version of her. I think when they’re together again, like anytime they’re together, she feels like herself again. And that’s the danger, because she doesn’t want to lose that and of course, Chase is really loyal,” explains MacMullen.
Elsewhere, Michael accompanied Jordan to the same burn clinic that helped him with his scars after the penthouse fire, overseas. The soap opera has been teasing the growing closeness between the two.
On the Wednesday, November 4 episode of GH, after Jordan developed a kidney infection from her burn treatments, instead of going back to Port Charles to be with his children, he decided to stay and make sure Jordan was on the end, but encouraged her for now to stop the treatments if it was making her sick.

Photo: ABC
“Tanisha’s been great,” shared Gibson. “It’s been really lovely working with her. They’re testing the waters there and we’ll see what happens.”
You can check out our full conversation with Rory and Katelyn on the Michael Fairman Channel below.
Now let us know, do yo think Michael and Willow will eventually end up back with each other? When do you think Willow’s crimes will be publicly exposed? Do you want to see Michael/Jordan and Willow/Chase pairings? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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