General Hospital
Jonathan Jackson Interview: His Daytime Emmy Nom as GH's Lucky & Role in New Primetime Soap, Nashville!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
What a week this has been for Jonathan Jackson! First, the already four-time Daytime Emmy winner gets nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role as Lucky Spencer on General Hospital when the 39th Daytime Emmy nominations were announced on Wednesday. Then Friday, his primetime soap pilot, Nashville, gets picked up and is going to series and will premiere this fall on ABC! Nashville stars Jackson along with a stellar cast of Connie Britton, Powers Boothe, Eric Close, and Hayden Panettiere! And to top it off, he celebrated his birthday yesterday! Lots of great gifts we would say, for probably one of the finest actors to ever grace the soap opera genre.
Jonathan Jackson’s work on GH in 2011 was transcendent. Storyline after storyline he delivered in spectacular fashion; acting acrobatics and realism, and such emotional depth to the life of Lucky Spencer that we the viewers cried right along with him. If any nominee up for this year’s Daytime Emmy had a banner year, it was Jackson.
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with the talented young star to get his take on all the good fortune and great news!
Jonathan, here we are again! Congratulations on your Daytime Emmy nomination, in a year when you delivered one powerhouse performance after another, after another! How do you feel about the nod this time around?
JONATHAN: It is pretty cool! I am thrilled and very thankful. Each year has its own unique set of circumstances. I am excited for all the nominees as well, and especially the GH family.

Courtesy/ABC
In my mind, you had a bunch of episodes to choose from. It was almost an embarrassment of riches, but all of the performances were knockouts! Which episode did you go with for the Emmys, and why?
JONATHAN: There was a lot from the amount of storylines and episodes, and from the intensity of what they asked me to do. It was way more than usual in terms of serious choices to look at. But, I ended up going with the episode at the Haunted Star where Lucky told Luke that he was the driver who hit Jake. It was when Lucky was asking him how much he had been drinking. And, there were six or seven scenes with Tony Geary (Luke) and I. There were a lot of different shows to look at, but that particular one just was a really special show for me and for Tony, as well. Something just happened when we were doing those scenes, so that is why I went with that. It just seemed like a complete show, with a beginning, middle and end to it.
You had so many great moments on GH last year, but I think my favorite was your scenes in Luke’s intervention. Was that in the running as one of the final choices?
JONATHAN: I did consider it, absolutely! There was Luke’s intervention, the material with Tony when Luke was at the Bordello, and the episodes with Jake dying. There was also Lucky getting drugged up for two days. I mean, there were so many, it was literally like there were a lot of different options. The intervention was really powerful and that was another one of those moments I will cherish with Tony. But in terms of an entire episode, this one that I chose had the same quality as the intervention, but it has six or seven scenes in it, as opposed to the one big scene in the intervention.
How did you find out you got nominated?

Courtesy/Jim Warren
JONATHAN: I got a text from a friend, but really did not make much of it, and fell back asleep. But then my kids came in and told me, “Congratulations”. I guess they had talked to someone and found out. And so I found out from them, which was cool, and really sweet.
Did you and Tony Geary contact each other on Emmy Nomination day and offer each other congrats?
JONATHAN: We did not speak in person, but we did leave each other messages. But I was super excited for him. And like I was saying, this last year on the show really meant a lot because of the amount of stuff he and I got to do together. It was something we had been talking about during the years I had been away from GH … that we wanted to work with each other again and do some great work. That is one of the reasons it is so special. I feel I did honor what I wanted to do with Tony, by picking this episode for Emmy contention.
I spoke with the fantastic Jason Thompson (Patrick) your co-nominee from GH. He said, “Listen, I am going to take out all the supporting guys from GH before the Emmy ceremonies!” (Laughs) He also gave you praise when he said he had an episode that he liked of his work, when Patrick was in scenes with Lucky when Jake died. However, since you were in it and doing such incredible work, he wouldn’t submit it! (Laughs)
JONATHAN: (Laughs) I love Jason. I think he is an incredible actor and I was really excited for him to get his nomination.
You have been very busy since you left GH. You landed Nashville, which was just greenlighted by ABC to go to series this fall! Did you get the break you wanted from GH, with all the emotional sturm and drang of the day in and day out of playing Lucky Spencer?

Courtesy/Enation
JONATHAN: Well, I have been working really hard on my band, Enation, and I have been doing quite a few writing projects and also Nashville. It’s been pretty busy, but it’s been a different kind of busy than GH, which I think was healthy. The GH grind, mentally and emotionally, got too intense there. It’s been great now. I feel like I have a whole other part of my brain available for my kids and for other projects.
The big question is, now that Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati are steering the ship at GH, would you consider a return to the series?
JONATHAN: I have been staying in touch with GH. There is always a possibility to come back and do some more work there in the future. I just love everybody there.
Tell me about Nashville! Fans will not only get to see you act in the new primetime series, but sing as well?
JONATHAN: Yeah, the character is a singer/songwriter. I am so glad it got picked up and it’s really exciting! It’s an amazing group of people. Callie Khouri is the writer, and R J. Cutler is a wonderful director to work with. He really has a passion for the characters and the show. We are combining some amazing music in the Nashville scene with really great story and character-driven drama. It just has a very authentic feel to it, and I think they are committed to making a very high quality show.
Is the character you play on Nashville, Avery, a good guy or a bad guy? Or, we don’t know yet?
JONATHAN: That is the one of the good things about the way that Callie developed the characters. And that is that there really aren’t too many black and white characters of good guys and bad guys. There are people who make bad choices, and more troubled people who end up making really good choices. I think that as the show progresses it will keep the audience guessing, and keep them interested as to who these people are. My character is a little bit of a narcissist, but I would not say he is a bad guy. I would say he is a little troubled and sort of arrogant on the surface. However, I think there is a lot of depth to him and a lot to explore with the character.
One of your long-time co-stars, Becky Herbst (Elizabeth), got nominated for Supporting Actress for her work in Jake’s death. I am very thrilled for her.

Photo Credit: Steven Bergman
JONATHAN: Oh me, too! I am so excited about that! She did some incredible work. I am grateful that she got recognized for it.
So Jonathan, you could win your fifth Daytime Emmy. Do you have a mantle to hold all of this gold? When you look at the trophies, what does it mean for you?
JONATHAN: It’s pretty crazy! (Laughs) I guess for me, they all follow memories I had with amazing people. Like last year’s Emmy and submission, it was the stuff with Becky Herbst and Tyler Christopher (Ex- Nikolas). That holds a very special place in my heart. Acting is a team sport. So when any of us gets recognized, we can only give credit to the people that we worked with … and I have worked with some incredible people!
He is so talented and seems like such a genuinely nice guy! Very happy for all of his success and hope he makes it back to GH sometime. By and large the GH cast just seem like very nice normal people with very little ego or diva stuff. Cngratulations JJ! Good interview Michael as usual!
This man from the get go got my vote, anybody that young working with a Soap Opera Great Tony Geary you knew Jackson was good. Same with Miss Alderson working with another great Howarth. Anyway thats what I think.
Me to.
JJ is a class act. Miss him terribly on GH, but wish him well with Nashville and his other projects.
I love Jonathan’s acting, but I just took a listen to his album, Soul & Story: Volume One, and it’s incredible. Beautiful, soulful acoustics – he’s got a great voice. He said he’s put hard work into his band and what he’s created has so paid off. Check it out folks, very impressive!!!
You always publish the best interviews with JJ. Thanks for asking all the right questions.
Great Interview. Thank you. Mr. Jackson is right his work with Tony Geary, and in the past Genie Francis…. well is in a league all of it’s own….and The Triple L are still golden each nominated for an Emmy this year. Congrats to Jonathan, Genie, Tony, Becky…. I so need a Spencer family redemption/reunion before GH ends!!! I was lucky to meet Mr. Jackson a few times and he is a class act all the way around. So excited for both him and us regarding his pilot being picked up, and the success of his music career. Can’t get enough of this man’s work…or interviews with him… so thanks Mr. Fairman for sharing this with us.
I’m so excited for Jonathan Jackson and plan on watching his new show, Nashville. I’m also a big fan of his music and was lucky enough to see him perform live and meet him. He is such a nice guy and very appreciative of everything in his life and that is always evident in any interview he does. Another great interview. Thanks
Jonathan Jackson is one of those rare acters who is so in the moment when he works, that you forget you are watching an acter in a scene. So happy for his Emmy nomination and for all the nods for GH, OLTL, and AMC! Thanks for another great interview!
Did someone say Connie Britton? I’m there! LOVE her!
Another great article. He picked a great scene to submit to the Emmies, too. Very powerful and emotional scene between him and Mr. Geary. Can’t wait to see Nashville when it comes out!
Incredible acting, the drug induced storyline was extremely emotional. Kudo to Jonathan Jackson for his superb acting. Enation has been touring and blessing the east coast with heartfelt meet and greet concerts. Wonderful music with lyrical depth He is a humble, spiritually driven young man. It is a joy to watch him succeed.
I am soooo happy for Jonathan Jackson – love him on GH and I think his band is great. Good news that the pilot for his new show, Nashville, got picked up. Would love to see JJ return to GH on occasions and continue his role as Lucky. He and Tony Geary are so wonderful together – just like a real father and son. I also love his scenes with Rebecca/Elizabeth – they make a really good couple. Add to that his Emmy nomination for supporting actor – this is the icing on the cake!!! Congrats to you JJ/Lucky – you deserve all of the above kudos!!!
Congratulation on the emmy nomination and the new show.I returned to wathing GH when you did,and I can understand your leaving. How much emotional storyline can a body take.
Congrats also to your beautiful family,and hope your singing career picks up because of the show.
Will be rooting for you.
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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