Connect with us

General Hospital

6

EXCLUSIVE: General Hospital’s Van Hansis Talks on the Casting of Adrian Anchondo as Marco and Hopes for a “Soap Opera Romance”

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: ABC

This week on General Hospital, the character of Marco (Adrian Anchondo) came to Port Charles after we first met him in Miami when Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) got drunk, kissed the guy and threw up all over him. Viewers learned in story that Marco is actually the son of Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Natalia Rogers-Ramirez (Eva LaRue), and as previously has been teased, will be the new man in Lucas’ life as their romance will being to take flight.

Five time Daytime Emmy-nominee Van Hansis chatted live on The Michael Fairman Channel previewing what may go down once Lucas and Marco actually have a date, and the casting process that led actor Adrian Anchondo to land the contract role on the ABC daytime drama series playing opposite Hansis and much more.

As the backstory goes, Van and Adrian actually first met over 20 years ago when they were both appearing at the Williamstown Theater Festival and crossed paths a few times through the years. When recalling the screen-tests for the character back in January of this year, Van shared, “I will say that out of the guys who tested for Marco, I think about a half of them were gay and half were straight, and they were all great and they all did great stuff with the material. But, I think there’s an ease as a gay actor myself, working with another gay actor that I don’t have to feel like, ‘Oh, you’re kissing a guy, blah, blah, blah, blah.’

Photo: JPI

However, there is also the example of Jake Silbermann who played Noah on As the World Turns, (when Van played Luke Snyder), and he’s remained one of my closest friends. He has never had an issue with a kiss and we played boyfriends for years and years. There was never a moment of him being like, ‘Oh, this is tough. Oh, now I gotta kiss a guy,’ because you’re a professional actor.”

So did Van have a say in who actually got chosen as his new leading man? According to Hansis, sort of. “They asked me, but I don’t think they’re like being like, ‘What does Van want?’ I believe there were four guys who screen-tested for Marco. So, it was all the different Marcos testing and it was with me and Laura Wright (Carly),” recalled Van. “We just did the scene once with each of them. We’d have a rehearsal up in Frank Valentini’s (executive producer, GH) office and then come down to set, do the scene once, and that was that. All four of them did such a fantastic job. Frank did ask me, ‘Who did you respond to?’ Obviously, I said Adrian and not just because I knew him previously, but I do think that for what they were looking for, he is the best for the job.”

Courtesy/ABC

Speaking on how Lucas and Marco first met after Lucas’ fallout with his ex-husband Brad (Parry Shen) happened whlmedical convention in Miami, Hansis revealed, “I just loved the fact that when he meets Marco, the first thing he does is vomit all over him. That was really fun stuff to play because also it was a side of Lucas that we haven’t seen. Lucas seems to me to be this very kind of straight-laced, strong moral code, guy. So for him just to get wasted and sloppy, and kind of embarrassing was a cool flip side to play.”

 

Prior to Hansis portraying Lucas, the role was played on and off by Ryan Carnes. In this new incarnation of the character, viewers are seeing Lucas having some self-effacing humor and dialog. “I think it’s something that naturally I just kind of brought to it that they then (the writers) saw, and then started sort of building that for me,” shared Van. “I love that Lucas gets to have a sense of humor. I think that coming in and sort of making the character your own, I think that’s part of it. A lot of times, I’ll get scenes that are sort of recapping what’s going on. I think in order to keep spark in that, a lot of times humor can help, and then also the fact that these characters live in this insane world … the stuff that happens to these people is absolutely insane. In order to get through that, I think you got to have a sense of humor about things. I think that Lucas is very much in a place of sort of PTSD coming back to town after everything that happened with Brad and Wiley and all of that stuff. Part of his coping mechanism is to smile through it all.”

Lucas knows very little about Marco and we already know that Marco comes from some shady biological parents, especially his father. So what are Van’s hopes for the two moving forward? “I hope it will a soap opera romance. There has to be some positive good things, but you can’t keep that forever in daytime. So, there’s got to be be some stuff that comes up,” expressed Hansis.

Photo: ABC

Van concluded, “There’s got to be be some conflict in there. I haven’t played Lucas in any sort of romantic situation, really and Lucas is so guarded. There was so much history with the betrayal of Brad and lying about his child. That’s not something that you get over, plus realizing that your child actually died and you’ve been raising another child? That being said, I would like to see Lucas in a ‘romantic-ish’ situation.”

Check out our full video interview and livestream conversation with Van below.

Now, are you feeling the on-screen chemistry between Marco and Lucas thus far? Do you hope they have a messy soapy love story? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

6 Comments

6 Comments
oldest
newest

I’m completely underwhelmed by Marco. Brad might be devious but at least he’s FUN and puts a spark back into Lucas. So far Lucas and Marco are curing my insomnia.

I love Marco and Lucas.

Finally, some romance !! So sick of disgusting Drew and the WSB !!!!

It’s refreshing to have two out gay actors playing a potential couple. Van & Adrian have chemistry and I look forward to the slow burn (but hopefully not too slow) start of their relationship.

A couple I can fully invest in. Looking forward to their adventures.

I think Marco and Lucas are great together.Brad is a lying manipulator who thus far has never changed. He is bad for Lucas in every way.He claims he loves him then blackmails his boss Portia, who just tried to protect her daughter from Crazy.. yes crazy Heather Webber!Then sells that same info to his crazy Aunt the mob boss who gives it to creepy Drew Cain. So he can blackmail Portia! It’s sick.Marco is hot hope this romance moves quickly.

Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

Published

on

By

Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’

Published

on

By

Josh and Kristen

General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.

The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.

Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.

Courtesy/ABC

WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?

Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.

So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?

Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.

Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Kin Shriner Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ TV Daughter Kelly Kruger

Published

on

By

Kin and kelly

It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.

Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.

In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.

Serena and Jason

Courtesy/ABC

WHERE IS SCOTT?

On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.

In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”

The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.”  Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.

So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

6
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x