General Hospital
Is FBI Agent John “Jagger” Cates on the Level? GH’s Finola Hughes, Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson Weigh-in
When John “Jagger” Cates resurfaced on General Hospital in recent months in the form of Adam J. Harrington taking over the role originally played Antonio Sabato Jr,. know one knew quite sure just what side of the law is Cates really on? And, is he back in Port Charles to settle old scores with Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Jason (Steve Burton)?
What viewers have learned is that when Jason was taken captive two and half years ago, back in November of 2021, he was taken to Quantico, where Agent Cates had multiple RICO violations on Jason and was going to send him to prison for years, unless he worked for Cates and his team, in which Jason has been an informant working on the inside on the Pikeman arms deal case, or so it appears.
Now on the latest episode of Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson’s Daily Drama podcast, Finola Hughes (Anna) stopped by to chat with her GH co-stars and all three weighed-in on just what they think maybe going on with John Cates.
Photo: ABC
Bradford Anderson brought up that maybe Agent Cates isn’t working on the level. Hughes responded, “I don’t know, I’m not sure.” Burton added, “Yeah, we’re not sure. There’s some unknowns coming, so we’ll figure that out. But, it’s been a fun story to play for sure. I really like it. A lot of layers to it. I’s been excellent stuff to be back with for sure.”
Finola added, “I think we’re gonna be going through finding out who certain people are that are coming on canvas, like John Cates and Brennan (Charles Mesure) and where do they all fit in?”
Courtesy/ABC
Steve added, “You’ve got Pikeman and what their real motives are. “Jagger” obviously. And then, Pikeman is not facing on-screen.” The question of if Pikeman is a person also got brought by Anderson, to which his co-stars added, they believe it’s a company.
Courtesy/ABC
Explaining more about Brennan and what he was up to was answered by Hughes,”That’s a sort of throwback, perhaps back in the day at WSB. He just came on the canvas briefly. Nobody knows if he’s goo (or bad). I (Anna) got him put in prison, so he’s off, and out of the way right now.”
You can check out the latest edition of the Daily Drama podcast below.
Now let us know, who do you think John “Jagger” Cates is working for? FBI, Pikeman, himself, or some other unknown entity or enemy? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
As of now I think Jagger is working for the FBI to take down Pikeman and find out who Pikeman is? Jagger hates Sonny, but he did order Jason to make sure the shooter missed Sonny. So I do think he is protecting Sonny. I am more suspicious of Ava’s motives than I am of Jagger’s. Ava is manipulating Sonny. Plus, I still want to know who is the mole in Sonny’s organization?
Ava could be the mole in sonny’s organization.
Considering both Ava herself and her daughter Avery were targets when the snipers invaded Sonny’s private island a month or so ago, that would seem unlikely.
And up until that point, Sonny didn’t really discuss “business matters” with Ava, except for the rare cases where it directly might impact Avery, and Ava had a right to know as her mother. Such as when they had to hire the fake nanny who turned out to be a mole for the “Pawtuck Mafia”.
I’m sick of Ava latching onto any available guy on the show. Morgan was the worst. She should be Sonny’s friend, and nothing more.
That’s because they hold Maura West in such high esteem, she can do no wrong. She probably writes her own scripts.
I still think it is Brick
So do i
Where do you get Jagger’s ordered to make sure they miss Sonny?! Jason’s been doing that on his own, literally making Jagger mad! Yeah, just what is Ava up to? We were teased a few weeks ago we’d know more about Austin but nothing yet. I’m now wondering how long Valentin has had Sonny’s meds played with, it would explain a lot… But still. I thought Ava was falling for Sonny, which could be still and I love how she is dressing lately, sexier and not those slacks that do not compliment her at all… Anyhow, if she was falling for him with no ulterior motives, she would have immediately made sure he got the message about Dante but once again, she did do it in a way to take credit for checking on Dante. That has to be a family member, right? Don’t like Cates. I like how Brennan made no secret about his interest in Carly .
Jason isn’t protecting himself as per your article, “where Agent Cates had multiple RICO violations on Jason and was going to send him to prison for years.” Jason said he was protecting someone else from what I remember. Also, I thought it was established when last we saw Brenna (before his arrest) that he was Pikeman, and, at that point, he ordered Anna to be killed. So before the new writers came aboard, Brennan wasn’t a good guy. As for Jagger, I think he is.
I understood that Brenna was Pikeman. I think so called Jagger is playing both sides of the law the good n bad
I thought Jagger was the bad guy, but now I haven’t figured him out. Jason did say he was protecting somebody. I think it might be Sonny. That would make Sonny feel like a heel when he learns the truth, but Sonny isn’t getting his proper medication thanks to Valentin. You’d think those close to him would be suspicious of his actions.
I don’t like the writers making Valentin a bad guy again.
Valentin has always been a dick, just like his father. Such a waste too, because he can really play a good guy when needed.
I think Jagger is a good guy but he does have a grudge against Sonny
I don’t know! I’m actually not a fan of his, so if he disappears tomorrow it wouldn’t phase me. I started watching GH in the ‘60s (I’d hurry home from grade school) and still watch it today! I learned one thing though, my husband is not interested in soaps. Lol. Oh, and when I was working, I listened to it on my transistor radio, then on my cellphone.
The summer of Luke & Laura I was 17 & had started working in a law office. I used to call home & my little sister would put the phone next to the tv & turn it up when GH was on! I would pretend at work to be on hold!!
Gloria your story made me smile.
I find their podcast to be very annoying.
Your good news is that no one is pointing a gun to your head to listen to it.
Alrighty then.
I think Jagger is a joke, they should have gotten a Latino to play the part, calling himself Jagger is wrong and the writers know it. As far as being an FBI he has a plan to get rid of Sanny n Jason
From what I have read, Antonio Sabato Jr, who played Jagger originally, was not asked to reprise the role. That, because he has been allegedly blacklisted in Hollywood for his past and often openly outspoken, political beliefs. My own personal political stance is in direct opposition to his. However, it is his right to support and advocate for whomever and whatever he wants. If the allegations are true, I think it is totally unfair that he is blacklisted.I do like the actor currently portraying Jagger, but I think Antonio Sabato should have been offered the opportunity to reprise the role first. He created the character. What does the rest of you GH fans think?
I hadn’t heard negative publicity about Sabato, but I also think it would’ve been better to have the original character back. We would have recognized the character then.
I don’t think Sabato could’ve carried some of scenes that Harrington has. The confrontation between Sonny and Jagger/John on the docks for one
He badmouthed Frank Valentini; told Ingo on Twitter that “Frank what’s-his-face” should be fired. And then he was “shocked and pissed” that he wasn’t asked back to play the role!!!! LOL! He sounds erratic and unstable; boasting about how it’s HIS role; how it belongs to him and he should be the one playing it. He’s not going to be asked back. I think nuJagger is hot and doing a great job. It was obviously intentional to cast someone so different in looks that Sabato.
I agree 100%. Blacklisting someone for his/her political beliefs goes back to the McCarthy era in the 1950’s. It’s wrong and disgusting.
And yes, it would have been nice to see Sabato back in the role. This guy they have doesn’t do anything for me. Meh.
Jagger not being a Latino thing, but a Rolling Stone thing
He doesn’t call himself Jagger, only certain other people do, like Sonny for instance. He calls himself John Cates, I think it’s only the ones who don’t like him, like myself that call him Jagger.
Why would they get a Latino to play Jagger; he wasn’t Latin as I recall. And the casting dept obviously went with a different look on purpose; maybe it was to stick it to Sabato who was being a jackass to Frank Valentini, the producer, before the role was even recast. And, no, it doesn’t look like he’s trying to get rid of Sonny. We just found out Pikeman…Brennan and Valentin, are.
I think he is working for the Cassadines or Cyrus.
Valentin.
The story is boring to me. Just can’t get into it.
Give it some time , new storylines are sometimes boring and they drag until they really get going and more facts are revealed.
I think back to when he showed concern for Leo and reassured Olivia that his adult son is thriving. So I hope he ends up being a good guy.
I need your favor and your help to send john jasper smith to jail where he belongs and leave General Hospital do not come back again never come to port charles ny
I am very much liking the Agent Cates storyline and have missed getting caught up on it the last several episodes.
I need anna need arrested jasper cates and I am working on with anna get jasper cates leave port charles ny for anna. And and one thing we need get carly out of prison. I need jason or drew get carly out
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Carly Fears Escalating Tensions Between Sonny and Josslyn: ‘I’ve Already Lost One Kid Because of That Man. I Won’t Lose Another’
On the Thursday, November 12 episode of General Hospital, as battles line are drawn by Carly’s (Laura Wright) ex-husband, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and her daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy), she realizes things are about to get a whole lot worse, and she expressed her fears to Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart).
After Sonny came to see Carly to get her daughter to back off of him; especially when Josslyn lit into him in front of nuAvery (Ayla Bullington), Carly is terrified that Sonny could retaliate against Josslyn. Realizing, Josslyn is in danger, Carly won’t sit by and let anything happen to her. She tells Valentin, “I’ve already lost one kid because of that man. I won’t lose another.”
Viewers won’t soon forget the devastation Carly felt when Morgan (Bryan Craig) died in a car bomb explosion back in 2016 because of Sonny’s dealings in the mob in a complex story involving Julian (William deVry) and Olivia Jerome (Tonja Walker).
Courtesy/ABC
SONNY IS READY FOR WAR
Meanwhile in the aftermath of his visit with Carly, Sonny told his brother Ric what went down when Josslyn disrespected him in front of his own daughter and hurt Avery. Since Josslyn already make it known that she no longer considers herself part of Sonny’s family, he’s decided to treat her accordingly.
Sonnys first step in payback is to take away her support system at JJE by approaching Hudson Parker (Troy Lennon Appel) again, but this time in a much less-friendly way.
Ric points out that this would go against every move Sonny made as a legitimate businessman in Port Charles and would mean he’s back in the mob? Sonny doubles down, saying Josslyn changed the game when she involved Avery. While he showed concern of how bad Carly would feel over all this year, he said he is ready to finish what Josslyn started.
At the Metro Court, Ava (Maura West) is listening to Avery explain what happened between Sonny and Josslyn and how much she hates Josslyn right now, which Ava seems to be OK with.
WILL JOSSLYN’S WORLD BLOW UP ON HER?
Speaking of Josslyn, she is on the pier still after her talk with Hudson and still crying over her confrontation with Sonny and Avery overhearing it, and what she told her sister. Lucas comes across her at the pier while out for his run.
Explaining how badly she feels for what she said about Sonny to Avery, Lucas says that eventually Avery will discover the truth about Sonny. He explains to Josslyn that even though Avery hates her now, she will come to realize that what she said about her father was the truth, and that Josslyn was not lying to her at all.
So, what do you think about Sonny ready to play dirty to take down Josslyn? How will Carly ensure her daughter does not wind up dead? Who do you think is in the right here? Is Josslyn’s vendetta against Sonny justified, at the cost of the relationships with her family? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”
Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Carly Fears Escalating Tensions Between Sonny and Josslyn: ‘I’ve Already Lost One Kid Because of That Man. I Won’t Lose Another’
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
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