General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Lucas Jones Returns as Van Hansis Makes His Debut
On Friday’s, October 4th episode of General Hospital, former As the World Turns favorite, Van Hansis (ex-Luke Snyder) made his highly-anticipated arrival as the recast Lucas Jones. Hansis is taking over the role of Dr. Jones which was last played by Ryan Carnes.
In his first episode, Lucas comes home to Port Charles from Boston as he has accepted a new position at GH. He first stops to see his sister, Carly Spencer (Laura Wright). During their “welcome home’ moments, Carly talks about how he feels about being back in town with Wylie now being raised by Michael (Chad Duell) and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen). He says after all the pain he went through in giving up his “son”, he’s ready now to be Wylie’s uncle and wants what’s best for him.
Next, the conversation switches to what is going on between Carly and her ex Sonny (Maurice Benard)? She asks him how he knows about it. Lucas says Josslyn (Eden McCoy) filled him in. Carly avoids answering him fully. Lucas says eventually they will need to talk about it, but heads out to do some paper work at the hospital.
Photo: JPI
Once at GH, Lucas meets with co-chief-of-staff, Terry Randolph (Cassandra James). He says he is ready for a new start in his hometown, but Terry cautions him about someone else he knows also being rehired at the hospital, one, Bradley Cooper (Parry Shen), Lucas’ ex. Not wasting any time, Lucas goes to talk to Brad and makes it clear where they stand now and forever.
Photo: JPI
At the hospital lab, Lucas surprises Brad, who is taken off guard and by the news that he is back working as a doctor at GH. Lucas draws the line in the sand and revisits what Brad did with baby Wylie, and getting caught up in the duplicity of his baby switch and how much he hurt him. Lucas says they’ll only talk when it’s regarding work and that he wants nothing else to do with Brad, ever.
Photo: JPI
In his first episode, Hansis showed that from all accounts, Lucas is his more than capable hands. The actor can bring emotion, depth and more to what we hope becomes a frontburner role on the ABC soap opera.
What were your first impressions of Van Hansis as GH’s Lucas Jones? Comment below.
It’s a no for me. Let’s just say he portraying Lucas in a manner that Lucas never was.
Lucas never had a defined personality. He was just a prop in plot maneuvers. He was never so much a character in his own right. They decided one day “Let’s make him gay”. He came out while being played by an unknown recast, then was quickly off the show. He remained off the show for the better part of a decade. He was brought back sporadically. Then when the show wanted to tell an epic baby switch story, it was like Lucas and Brad were shoehorned into the story, but rarely ever seen during the telling of it. Then with little to no fallout, he was off the show again. There has been no longer term investment in this character.
I think it would be a killer twist if they were to revisit history and it turned out Lucas actually was Robert Scorpio’s son! Long time viewers like myself will recall that Lucas’ bio mom, Cheryl (Tiffany’s sister) was involved with both Julian Jerome and Robert at the same time.
Now that Julian is long gone, and Robert is still active in story, that would be cool.
The boat to give Robert another son (either Lucas or Ethan has sailed).
Now, good acting can bump up a character in prominence. Kristen Vaganos as Molly is a prime example. Despite growing up on the show, Pulos’ Molly was a tertiary character. Vagabond powerful performances have earned her a contract and we are finally seeing Molly’s POV. Perhaps, Lucas will get the same treatment.
I agree. Sounds good to me.
He definitely had a defined personality and a vibe. He was on the show for about eight years at one point, and he had several stories with Brad and Felix, then “Wiley,” etc, not to mention his relationship with Julian. It was enough time to get a sense of Lucas. A gay man portrayed with an almost “macho,” persona. This recast and his portrayal of Lucas is not that. It was the same dramatic difference when the show decided “Valerie” was bi…and was played by the very feminine, beautiful, Brytni Sarpi. Her (very brief) recast was a much tougher, harder, less feminine portrayal.
In time maybe this actor will grow on me. Right now the contrast is too stark.
You mean as gay? What is wrong with that? Really in 2024? He is too gay to play gay? Please. He was perfect
Well.. he had more of an aggressive tone..
Ryan’s Lucus had a soften even when he was upset..
I think in gay terms.. wonder how Brad feels.. maybe he wants him back even more.
Yes van is great
Rebecca, please elaborate on “portraying Lucas in a manner that Lucas never was.”
I did; it’s awaiting approval. I’m sure you’ll be offended though I would hope not.
You must have me confused with someone else. I’m not one of the people that gets offended at everything just for the sake of being offended. I don’t always agree with your opinions, but I do always appreciate reading your insights on GH. I was just looking for more details on your thoughts about the new Lucas.
I read what you had to say. Van Hansis is definitely portraying Lucas differently than previous actors that played the role, that’s for sure. I just think it’s one of those things where every actor that takes over an existing character makes the role their own. Like what Alley Mills did with Heather for one of the many examples. Hopefully Van as Lucas will grow on you in time, as you said.
Not impressed. There are so many characters that need air time so I don’t think they needed Brad or Lucas back.
Thank you! And if they’re reintroducing Legacy characters. I’d rather see Steven Lars. He fits right into the Heather redemption arc story. All of Heather’s problems began when she sold him and went bonkers trying to get him back.
I’d also like to see Kin Shriner get a contract and his daughter Serena recast to return. Also instead of making Dr. Gannon someone new I wouldve rather he be Tom and Simone Hardy’s child Tommy Hardy the third.
Ryan Carnes was my favorite Lucas. Either way, I’m bored with GH always entangling Lucas with Brad. Brad is a complex character with layers.
And stories can go places with Brad. Lucas has always just seemed to be on the canvas to fill a spot. Carly’s brother. Julian’s son. Bobbie’s son. Brad’s partner. Brad’s ex. I’ve never seen them give the Lucas character anything with much drive. Did Ryan Carnes leave on his own? If so, I don’t blame him.
Carrie, yes, Ryan Carnes left four years ago. Everyone seems to forget Lucas was actually recast with another actor for a while, because Ryan came back as a guest for Bobbie’s funeral to honor Jackie Zeman.
And thank God he did! His recast did not work!
Please no more characters. The continuity of the show is suffering because of so many characters. we went almost two weeks without Ava, who needs more air time. I was ready for a break from Molly and Kristina’s arguing, but now a week with nothing. Cody and Sasha are being turned into a side story when the writers think we need something cute or sweet. Please listen to the audience. We want more Tracy and Ava. Please less Drew and Portia.
More Ava? Are you serious? That witch should be long gone by now, all she doies is mess with people, getting into their business and causing trouble. She doesn’t know what the words truth or honest mean. If she were a real person, I don’t know how she’d sleep at night.
Yes more Ava Jerome!!!!
It’s not about what the audience wants. The writers have to write for the actors who are on contract! That’s the law lol. Theyre guaranteed so many appearances and they get paid PER APPERANCE.
Personally I love Cameron Matheson despite the fact his character is just a convoluted mess meant to explain Steve Burton’s return to the role of Jason.
For my part Cody and Sasha can run off and never be seen again lol. Jane Elliot needs a storyline. She’s getting enough air time lately but she has no storyline. I watched her from day one and in the Gloria Monty days she had the best storylines. Today she is just a supporting player.
She should be wheeling and dealing at ELQ and becoming the true Matriarch of the Q family. The days of strong , long arc stories seem to be over.
I agree with you about Tracy. She should have come back strong and ready to take on Michael and Drew and stand with Ned when they went up against him. She no longer has many of her scene partners; no AJ to go up against and attack, no Monica to exchange snarky comments with, no Alice…and Ned is barely on. There’s so much potential if the writers would write for the Quartermaines and bring back actors who want to return. I think (though I’m not sure) that Robert Palmer Watkins would come back as Dillon. I’d love to see Sean Kanan return as AJ even though AJ was killed off AGAIN…and I know Sean’s on (B&B???) AND there was bad blood between him and Carlivati. But if it’s possible, I wish they’d approach him about another return. Ned needs to be written for and seen way more than he is, and he and Tracy need to team up. It seems these current writers are intent on turning Tracy into some lonely, old, lady, who needs a softer edge. They made a big mistake by killing off Gregory; those two were gold together and it would have been fun to see him as part of the Q family along with his son, Chase. Lois, too, has been wasted. A legacy character who has been in not one good story since her return. They need to give her a relationship and maybe even start a music management company with Brook Lynn.
He really suits the role.Remember him on ATWT. Hope he stands by his guns and stays away from that POS Brad. He’s nothing but trouble. Wonder why they ever brought him back anyway, probably just to cause more trouble.
A hot mess is coming for Brad. Oh what tangled webs Ava and Portia weave for Trina. If Trina knew what they’ve done she’d be mortified. What a mess. Funny how Selina Wu has disappeared. She was lording over Brad, Cody and Marcus for the longest time. Maybe she’s with Scottie and the pharmacist.
Portia’s brother Zeke must be with too
Bad enough what Portia did as a physician but Ava has to stick her big nose in ,telling her what to do and also Rick Lansing, advising him with his case for Heather. Wish someone would strangle her, her hair has gotten long enough, might work!
Yeah, speaking of Ric. Guess he doesn’t care about attorney client privilege. Him telling Ava Heather’s business knowing she was one of Ava’s victims. Also, isn’t it a conflict of interest for him to represent them both?
Given the timing of Lucas returning along with the latest Aiden recast, I’m thinking Lucas will be serving as some sort of “mentor” role in helping Aiden get through life as a gay teenager. Since that’s one thing neither Liz or Lucky have any first hand experience with. We already know from the previous recast that Aiden was dealing with some sort of bullying issues at school, getting painted pink or whatever.
That might be a hard storyline.. a gay mentor for a gay teenage.. ( stay off dating apps and boys who want to introduce you to “party favors” ? )
I liked Van when he was on ATWT, he’s a more than capable actor. Every actor that takes on an existing character puts their own spin and flavor into the role, so I’m interested to see where he takes Lucas. And I’m curious to see what stories they have planned. They generally don’t recast a role with a well known actor like this for the character to become background scenery, so I would imagine they have some stuff in the works.
Bringing a well connected character to the history of the show, Tony and Bobbie’s son, Carly’s brother, Lucky’s cousin, and so forth, and a doctor back on the canvas is a positive.
Funny, I’ve not heard or seen this “well known actor” since ATWT.
Van Hansis starred in the online series Eastsiders and has done a several movies. He’s also taught acting.
I will start watching GH to see him play Lucas. He has instant chemistry with Brad. I hope he gets a new love interest like Reid on ATWT, but still have feelings for Brad. And I like him mentoring Aiden. So many possibilities for the character.
Thanks for the Info, as for the rest, to each his own.
Not feeling the new Lucas !! No chemistry with Brad.
They’re not supposed to have chemistry anymore.
This recast is a major misfire. A misfire of epic proportions. GH’s storied casting director rarely gets it wrong but with this one he definitely laid an egg. Yikes! Similar to the debacle in recasting Mollie, this is going to take at least one more try. Back to the drawing board.
General Hospital
RATINGS: ‘General Hospital’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Only Soaps to Gain Total Viewers Week-Over-Week
The latest ratings are out for the week of August 17- 21, 2026. Two daytime dramas showed an uptick in total viewers week-over-week, while two did not, and General Hospital moved back into 3rd place over Beyond the Gates in the key women’s 18-49 ratings share, and tied with the CBS soap for 3rd place for the key women’s 25-54 ratings share.
According to Soap Opera Network via data supplied via Nielsen’s Live+Same Day, Big Date +Panel model, CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful showed the most gains in total viewers adding +12,000 and bringing its year-over-year tally to +262,000. For the week of August 17, B&B had an average audience of 2,688,000 tuning-in.
The central story focused on Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) bonding over their crumbling marriages while eachwas on drunken bender, they slept together. Meanwhile, Finn (Tanner Novlan) rushed back to Los Angeles from Monaco to salvage his relationship with his wife, and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) turned around and headed back from the airport to reconcile with Carter after walking out on their marriage.
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital, the ABC soap opera added +8,000 total viewers for the week with an average of 1,856,000 tuning-in from August 17 to 21. The series is still under the 2 million mark for the last few consecutive weeks. Year-over-year at this time, GH is -35,000 off the pace from 2025.
In story, there was drama across Port Charles with shifting alliances, explosive confrontations, and shocking revelations including: Jason (Steve Burton) quitting the mob and informing Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), Ric (Rick Hearst) getting jealous of Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Elizabeth’s (Rebecca Herbst) closeness, and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Tracy (Jane Elliot) finding out Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) moved back into the Quartermaine gatehouse.
Photo: JPI
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
As for the top-rated The Young and the Restless, they remained the most-watched soap opera of all losing -14,000 for the week, but still up +90,000 year-over-year and averaging 3,027,000 viewers for the ratings week.
The Y&R drama centered around stories including; Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) causing chaos by declaring that Chancellor Industries belongs to the Abbotts, while the aftermath of Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Marie (Jade Harlow) night together in a seedy hotel which landed them both in rehab continues to haunt Nick.
Photo: CBS
BEYOND THE GATES
Finally at Beyond the Gates, the newest soap in the line-up lost only -1,000 in total audience for the week, with 1,647,000 tuning in and the series is considerably up year-over-year with +132,000.
Beyond the Gates featured a series of showdowns and explosive secrets coming to light including: Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) confronting a hospitalized Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) about his intentions toward Dani (Karla Mosley), while Andre’s (Sean Freeman) dark past with Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones) came to light.
So, what do you think of the latest ratings picture and performance of your favorite soap? Which daytime drama from broadcast television is piquing your interest the most? Which is not? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Gets to The Bottom of Brook Lynn’s Lies; But is Jordan Truly the Person Responsible for Her Own Car Crash?
The marriage of Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) just took a nosedive on the Friday, September 4 episode of General Hospital, while Trina (Tabyana Ali) got an earful, Anna (Finola Hughes) lured Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) into a trap in the middle of nowhere, and oh, yes! Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi) and Rocco (Finn Carr) shared their first kiss.
Here’s the takeaways from Cliffhanger Friday. First, as the Quartermaines host a Labor Day weekend party, Chase’s suspicions about Brook Lynn being the other driver in Jordan’s (Tanisha Harper) car accident grew while cutting limes with Emma (Braedyn Bruner) in the kitchen. There, Emma mentioned that Brook actually arrived late to Charlie’s Pub and missed the first song of the night during Trina and Gio’s (Giovanni Mazza) performance.
Now loaded for bear, Chase sees Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) in the Quartermaine foray, and asks to speak with her in the kitchen, privately. Having put two and two together (for once! Chase can’t seem to do that where Willow’s concerned) he tells Lucy, he knows she lied in her statement to the police pointing the finger at Willow for the car accident and demanded the truth!
Courtesy/ABC
ROUTE 91
Meanwhile, Jordan is also present at the party, and Tracy (Jane Elliot) and Michael (Rory Gibson) tell her that they want her to keep a close eye on Drew (Cameron Mathison) while working at Aurora Media. Inside the living room, Lucy is making a hasty exit from the party after spilling the beans to Chase. Next, a pissed off Chase pulls Brook Lynn into the kitchen.
Then, he tells his wife his theory of what happened the night Jordan got in a car crash. Chase says Brook Lynn’s car was on Route 91 at the same time of Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Jordan’s car crash. However, Chase thinks she is covering for someone in the family. Brook Lynn promises to talk to him more about this later when they are alone, but it’s too late. Outside on the terrace, Trina heard the whole thing!
Now in the living room, and getting ready to hear Gio and Trina do a performance from their set at the club earlier in the week, Chase and Brook Lynn look upset. Trina comes into the room looking very angry and demands to know the truth from Brook Lynn! She wants to know if she was the driver of the other car who left her dad and Jordan at the side of the road.
Courtesy/ABC
ARE WE OUT OF THE WOODS?
Meanwhile, Anna who is off her rocker, has lured Britt (who stupidly went to meet her) out in the middle of the woods. Jason (Steve Burton) got wind of where Britt is, when Sonny (Maurice Benard) informed he sold some land to Anna. Jason is trying to get a hold of Britt fearing she is walking into a trap, but she is not answering her phone.
When Britt finally catches up with Anna, she asks her why did they have to meet in the middle of the boondocks? Suddenly, Anna pulls out a gun and replies, “So no one can hear you scream.” We fade to black.
courtesy/ABC
FIRST KISS
As one thing has lead to another, Scout and Rocco have found themselves leaning on each other and developing feelings for one another. In story, Rocco and Scout picked up Outback and went to the boathouse for one last swim before the summer comes to an end.
While they swam, Outback ran off and wound up back where he was earlier, in the wood,s trying to dig up Jack! Back at the boathouse following their swim, Scout and Rocco have a heart-to-heart, where Scout admits she feels the only person who truly understands her through all the turmoil she has gone through with her dad and brother is Rocco. The two share a kiss.
Now below, check out the scene between Chase and Lucy where he demands she amends her statement to the police as Brook Lynn becomes the chief suspect in running Jordan and Curtis off the road causing their car crash.
Weigh-in: When all is said and done, isn’t Jordan the person who is responsible for her own crash, by taking her eyes off the road to kiss her ex-husband, Curtis Ashford? Do you think Brook Lynn’s cover-up will send Chase running in the direction of Willow and the two will hit the sheets? Glad to see Scout and Rocco share a lip-lock? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
This Labor Day, General Hospital will show an encore presentation of its touching tribute to the late Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer). The news came from ABC executive, Nathan Varni who shared the information across social media.
Varni expressed, “Save the date! ABC will encore our very special farewell tribute to Tony Geary this Labor Day, Monday, September 7.”
The episode was originally broadcast on February 20, 2026, and honored to the late eight-time Daytime Emmy winner, who sadly passed away on December 14, 2025 at the age of 78.
Photo: ABC
The tribute episode centered on Luke’s daughter Lulu (Alexa Havins) finally grieving the loss of her father after she had come out of a four-year long coma and never dealt with her grief on learning the news of his death.
WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ON-SCREEN REMEMBRANCE OF LUKE SPENCER?
The other characters who remember their time with Luke who are included in the episode with many flashbacks were: Tracy (Jane Elliot), Sonny (Maurice Benard), Carly (Laura Wright), Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and of course, Laura (Genie Francis).
Behind the scenes, General Hospital wanted to pay tribute to its most iconic star, but since the character of Luke was killed-off in 2022 off-screen, after Geary retired, there wasn’t an easy creative route to go when Geary passed away in real-life. However, the writers did a commendable job with this special episode in tying in memories and remembrances of Luke through Lulu’s grief as a starting point.
Photo: ABC
THE LAST APPEARANCE OF TONY GEARY ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Anthony Geary exited General Hospital in 2015 after his record-setting eight Daytime Emmy Lead Actor wins for his work. He then moved to Amsterdam full-time to live with his husband, Claudio Gama.
Two years later, Geary made one final appearance on GH, when in 2017 he popped in the last scene of what was Jane Elliot’s then departure from the show when Tracy was reunited with Luke in Europe.
You can check out the original promo for the special episode “Remembering Luke Spencer” and the late Tony Geary from back in February of this year below.
Now let us know, will you be watching the Anthony Geary tribute again this coming Monday? Do you miss seeing the character of Luke Spencer in Port Charles? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
RATINGS: ‘General Hospital’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Only Soaps to Gain Total Viewers Week-Over-Week
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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Will Nick Take the Rap for Marie’s Abusive Husband’s Death?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Gets to The Bottom of Brook Lynn’s Lies; But is Jordan Truly the Person Responsible for Her Own Car Crash?
Suzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Gets to The Bottom of Brook Lynn’s Lies; But is Jordan Truly the Person Responsible for Her Own Car Crash?
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
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