General Hospital
GH's Head Scribe Ron Carlivati Speaks On The Stunning Faison and Duke Reveal & How He Decided To Craft The Story!

© Steven Bergman
The mastermind behind the fantastic story that is being weaved at General Hospital concerning Faison, Duke, Anna, Robin and soon Robert, is General Hospital’s head writer, Ron Carlivati, who delivered to viewers on Friday and on today’s episode so much excitement! Carlivati spoke with Soap Opera Digest exclusively about how he pulled off this incredibly dramatic story, and how the decisions came about to have it turn out to be Faison who took Robin away from her loved ones, and how the character of Duke was instrumental in pulling the story off. Here are a few excerpts below!
Carlivati on if Faison was always the end game as the captor of Robin, and how he utilized the character of Duke to pull off the key elements of the story: “My thought even before you saw Ian with Kimberly (the first time) was that it had to be Faison that was behind the whole thing and that’s who took Robin. I think it’s the one that makes the most sense, but because it’s the one who makes the most sense, I think the audience was right there with us and they figured that it was Faison. Frank Valentini (executive producer) and I talked about, “What can we do in that reveal that will be a little different and not make it so obvious?” And then we came up with the idea of showing Ian, knowing that he was about to be free after leaving Days of our Lives. So, then it just became the trick of, at what point are we going to go for it and reveal it? And I felt it couldn’t go on so long because I knew people were angry at the way Duke was behaving and I felt that relatively quickly, we had to reward them with this reveal that it was in fact Faison and not Duke.
Carlivati on the decision to reveal on today’s episode that the real Duke was alive and how it factors into the story: “I thought it was important to show him alive the same time we were showing that this wasn’t the real Duke because I knew there was going to be a lot of disappointment from fans who felt, “Oh, you dangled the return of Duke Lavery under our nose and then you snatched it back.” I didn’t want people to be upset and angry. I wanted them to enjoy the story! So we made the decision to do a double whammy and show Real Duke at the end of the day. And you will see in the ensuing days how he was able to appropriate Duke’s fingerprints, his memories, etc. Essentially, what you find out is that the backstory Faison told everyone about how Duke was not really Jonathan Paget and he’s been in Turkish prison, all of that was a true story. However, Faison intercepted Duke and took on his identity and the reason is because of Anna Devane. Faison felt that the only way to make this woman love him was to have the face of someone that she could love in return, which only leaves a few options, such as Robert Scorpio or Duke Lavery. And Duke was the one who was accessible, so that’s what he went with. ”
Carlivati on what is going to happen next: “It’s exciting (that the truth is finally out there) and we really run with it. It’s a story you won’t have to wait for months and months to see unfold. It just goes like gangbusters from today on.”
What do you think of how Ron Carlivati has planned out this clever and spellbinding story? Are you excited to see what’s next? Let us know your thoughts!
GH got me hooked, I’m on board, I’m pretty happy with the way the storylines are playing out only disappointment is the Jason storyline where the laison fans got shafted, Elisabeth/ Rebecca Hebrts deserved better. Give her a storyline ASAP .
LOVING my GH !!! Ron & Frank & all the other writers are doing BRILLIANT Work !! GH is on FIRE !!! Thank you for bringing GH back to LIFE !!!
I totally agree with you!!!
Can’t wait to see what happens next……Great storyline!!! I like you don’t have to wait months to find out. I like how the story is unfolding quickly!!!!!!!!
Awesome.
i usually only watch general hospital when genie francis appears..but when i heard robin matison was back i had to tune in,,god i hope they keep her on this show some how,,i have to say i am totally hooked on this show now,,though i dont know any back story of dukeand anna and fiasion the story keeps me interested,,,
Bring back Joe Scully. Would love to see more Joe and Connie!! Talk about fireworks!!!!
I am loving GH now!!! So very happy it is not the Sonny show anymore!
This is the best GH has been in a long time. I’m so glad FV and RC have brought GH back to it’s excellent staff!
Loved the last two episodes. But please do right by Robert. Trying to stay optimistic but they seemto forget how to write for Robert whenever they ask him back!
That’s true J.R. No one seems to know how to write for Robert anymore. That man was the most appealing in his time, and the way he played that character.
Well ladies and gents, it looks like they may have gotten it right this time. It’s only day one but it looks like our beloved Robert Scorpio is back for the first time since 1992. Loving it!
GH is smokin hot. Wish the rattings were reflecting that wonderful show we love………..Keep it up and we all will continue to watch…….Its hard to do great writing constantly but the storytelling is so much better on GH than it is on the other three soaps….
DITTO!!! GH is SMOKIN!!!
I am LOVING GH! RC/FV are doing right by the fans and the history of the show! And the best part…our vets are back front and center! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
Tracy is funny & serious at the same time. I like her a lot!!!!
GH is kicking ass these days! With all the intrigue, drama, humor, romance, and, best of all, veteran characters and storylines, I could not be happier! With Faison AND Duke back, Robert returning, the Nurse’s Ball poised to be the must-see event of the season, AJ’s reappearance (along with the entire Quartermaine clan!), and everything else, tuning is to GH is no longer a habit- it’s a need! I also love that ratings keep rising higher and higher! 🙂
Plus, bonus points go out to Ron and Frank for being able to be work with Kimberly M so that we get to see Robin, yet she gets to do what she left GH originally to do!
I was dumfounded at the end to find out Duke was really alive after the Faison reveal. Bravo Ron, you pulled off a great one. I am loving this roller coaster journey of this story and the twists and turns. GH is must see TV for me again after 10 (mostly) dreadful years.
I hadn’t watched GH in years. Lost interest when it became all about Sonny, Jason and the mob. I started watching again recently when I heard about all the comebacks and am happy to see Robin, Anna, Robert, Duke and AJ. Hopefully this will be enough to keep GH on the air. Great job!
Loving GH so much as of late ,memories of watching as a small child till now GH needs more Kassie DePiava,Tea Delgado an McBain an ABC needs to get their head outta their ass or the sand an realise soaps matter an appeal to all viewers an bring back AMC an OLTL we lifers want our soaps they matter
GH is the best it has been in years. I love that they are getting back to the old GH and away from the mob.
Now if Connie could just go away, and make way for a couple more OLTLers–this would be a great show.
Connie go away, and make way for more of GH’s finest!
Ron is this generation’s master of soap writers. He makes an excellant team with Frank. They totally rule!
yea rodd .i see it the way your seeing it.my ITALIAN WRITER BOYS are doing it up
ova at ABC. and i pray sam and john get together i really do.sam is starting to b a bore now,just around cute danny! i want more sam and john already but i am thinking CARLIVATI /VALENTINI are going to get to them soon in winter of 2013!
i love MONICA sooooooo much again front line story all around,and HEATHER even!
lol love todd crazy hot self,funny as always,and love him around carly jacks.
sure we did like some MOB jason morgan stuff but i m happy the OLD gh wit a new gh feel to it,and old feel all roll up in one is forever,best!
Despite the fact that I wasn’t watching GH when this Anna/Duke/Faison story began in the late 80s (although I am familiar with much of the history), I’m still finding it absolutely spellbinding. GH has been red-hot of late, and this s/l and AJ’s return are the main reasons. Bravo to the cast, crew and Cartini!
I wasn’t watching GH back then either…I hadn’t even seen an occasional glimpse of Faison…so I had no pre-conceived notion about him. I look forward to his return, but hope it’s not like Robin Mattson’s return where I eventually wanted her gone again.
You guys should watch the Fasion s/l from early 90’s on youtube. Its all on there and very entertaining, not to mention what better way to get a history lesson on Fasion.
I am soooo grateful that the GH stories move along quickly..
When soap stories go on and on and on for months and months I lose interest and the drawn out stories become yawwwn boring..
I do see the magic pill with GH is the speed of the stories..
People watch TV/media, differently in this digital decade and the soaps do need to move on at a good speed or people will move on..
Love it KEEP it coming!
I like bringing back GH’s finest for short and long stunts. People come back to town ALL THE TIME. It’s BEST to bring back some of GH’s finest, RATHER THAN…… invest in leftover’s from other show’s. We don’t need a revolving door of OLTL, what we need is a revolving door og GH’s finest, and a OCCASIONAL visit (s) from OLTL, and NOT TO FORGET: All My Children
CALLING Doctor DAVID HAYWOOD PLEASE……………………..
all i can say is that gh is on fire right now…….. 🙂
This has been like GH-80’s good! In over 30 years of GH watching it is hard to remember more simultanious exciting stroylines.
If there is anyone on the planet who didn’t see this whole story coming 3 miles down the road, then you shouldn’t be allowed to watch soaps. This is my main problem with Cartooni: everything is SO obvious.
Ok bring David Heyward
I’m terrible intrested in the story
David Heyward can be the one who an fix the problems+ he cam can play Sammatha Mcall
father,,,
Love to see SAM AND JOHN+DANIEL working together I’m very curious howxthey gonna
gel, also haveBABY LIAM IN THE MIX!!! I would love for Sam to have a blended family!!!
SAMMATHA
JOHN
DANIEL
LIAM c
CAN YOU SAY MODERN FAMILY!!!!
,,,,,,,,,until Jason comes back to the show!!! and if he
I’m more excited about GH with each passing episode. It is really fantastic and I’m loving every minute of it.
OMG! LOVING GH! Gets better & better. Keep it coming.
I agree!!!
Now just waiting for them to figure out it was Faison(look a like duke) behind all the murders and mayhem only to have the real Duke take the fall for all of it. Looking forward to a Anna/Duke reunion…someday. Anyway, my DVR is happy again. Keep the stories coming.
Ron, if you are reading these posts (and I believe you or your staff are), a huge THANK YOU! Yes Yes Yes Ron! We true soap fans so appreciate all that you are doing to bring back the essence of GH and revive soaps! Soaps are not dead, and you are proving that each day. GH is thriving under you and your writers and Frank V. But, ultimately, what I am waiting for is the return of my absolute favorite character – Laura Spencer. Luke and Laura were magic together and, given the chance, they would easily return to super couple status without a doubt. I have watched many soaps over the years, but no couple ever matched their connection. I believe that you are working on Laura’s return, and hope that you will be able to negotiate for a long-term return for this character. Again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS EFFORTS and SUCCESSES WITH GH. You have made a difference!
THIS is the GH I remember from the 70s, 80s and 90s. I think I may have said that before.. but I’m so happy to get the show back to it’s normal soapy goodness! Great stories, great characters… more more more!
only thing that is odd is how fake Duke was great with Felicia! you’d think he’d be a little leacherous around here seeing how he kidnapped her (and Luke) many years ago!
all this is good tho … makes me wonder where Helena is ?!
I feel that Carlivati “gets GH” more than any head writer in many years! He KNOWS we want to see Faison be the mastermind, he KNOWS we want Robert&Anna front-and-center in this story .. past writers would have had it be all about Sonny&Jason and the mob. SO happy to have MY GH back!
Finally the return of GH. Quartermains are fighting for ELQ. Tracy is the bitchy again. The first Aussie bros are back. Scorpios. The Hardys and Webers are needed to complete the character rebuild. The Christmas story being read to sick GH kids should return like Nurses Ball. The star is the hospital. Story connects character to hospital. Mafia line doesnt connect Sonny or Johny to GH just wastes time.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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