General Hospital fans knew something was up when in the closing credits of the July 24 episode of the ABC soap opera, Nathan Dean’s name was removed. Fast-forward to the Monday, July 27 episode and Christian Howard has replaced Dean as the recast Ethan Lovett.

When Howard made his first on-screen appearance, the soap opera made no bones about the fact that this was not a temporary fill-in when in a voice-over announce they shared ‘The role of Ethan Lovett is now being played by Christian Howard.”

This marks a quick ending to Dean’s return to GH after six-years away as Luke (Anthony Geary) and Holly’s (Emma Samms) wayward son. In the spring, Nathan shared to TV Insider, that he settled on a short term four-month run in the part for 2026. Nathan debuted in the role of Ethan Lovett back in 2009 and played the part until his exit in 2012. He then made brief comebacks in 2013, 2015 and 2020.

Photo: ABC

WHERE DOES ETHAN LOVETT’S STORY GO FROM HERE?

Dean’s recent GH comeback began on the April 17, 2026 episode, where viewers eventually learned that Ethan had a connection to the mysterious Delilah Wilson (Lily Cardone), who died giving birth to a daughter.

That said daughter, wound up as Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) foster child who they are hoping to adopt. Initially, Ethan claimed to be the baby’s father, but later changed his tune when trapped with Ava Jerome (Maura West) after being shot. He admitted he is not baby Phoebe’s father.

On today’s July 27 episode, Christian Howard’s first scenes were at the Metro Court Pool with Maura West. In the scenes, Ethan continues to flirt and fight with Ava. His goal was to make sure she never told Brook Lynn and Chase, he is not Phoebe’s bio-dad so that their adoption can go off without a hitch.

This is not the first time, Dean has been recast as Ethan. Back in 2023, Ethan suddenly had blonde hair as played by James Ryan for a couple of episodes.

As for Howard, he has a very large background as an action-adventure actor and stuntman, Christian was born in the United Kingdom, and can be seen in episodes of Street Fighter: Resurrection, and Lucifer, among others.

It should be noted there is no word yet if Christian Howard is just finishing up scenes of Ethan Lovett, but will also exit shortly, or if his casting is for any substantial length of time.

So, what do you think about the sudden replacement of Nathan Dean as Ethan Lovett? If you caught GH today, how did Christian Howard do as his successor in the part? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

In what could prove to be a massive shake-up ahead, both the TV Academy (ATAS), who presides over the Primetime Emmys, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), who preside over the Daytime Emmys, are in exploratory reunification discussions to merge the two organizations into one.

Both sides received an overwhelming vote and support from their boards to evaluate what a unified Academy could look like. However there is no formal calendar at this juncture for the discussions. In addition, because of the ongoing unification talks that should occur, the TV Academy board has voted to extend all current sitting Governors’ terms by one year so they can see the process through.

Boards at both organizations voted overwhelmingly to evaluate what a unified Academy could make possible: a strong vision for the Academy’s future, more effective thought leadership for the industry, broader service and support for members coast-to-coast, and new momentum and opportunities across the full complement of national Emmy competitions.

Photos: ATAS/NATAS

AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS, CAN THE EMMYS BE UNDER ONE BANNER?

In a joint statement, ATAS and NATAS shared, “Television remains the most powerful medium we have to shape culture and prompt conversations that define us—no matter the size of the screen, With the business of television undergoing such a monumental transformation, this is the right moment to explore a reunification of our Academies, providing our members and our industry with a bolder voice advocating for them and a stronger partner to navigate the future with them.”

If the reunification talks continue, this would be the first time since the two Emmy organizations split back on June 30, 1977 that they have tried to come together, all of this after almost three decades of often uneasy and strained tension between the two.

The most recent joint change came in 2022 when a move of the game show categories went from NATAS to ATAS’ and now are in the Primetime Emmys.

Deadline notes that a unification of the two television academies who overall preside over nighttime and daytime programming would be similar how SAG and AFTRA used to represent performers from completely different dayparts of work.

Could the Daytime Emmys finally see some love in primetime and have their major categories televised as part of the annual kudofest every September? Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will take place live on Monday, September 14th starting at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT and air on NBC and stream on Peacock emanating from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. While, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will take place on Friday, October 30, time to be announced, live from the Hollywood Palladium and will be streamed on watchtheemmys.tv

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Awards for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime and Children’s & Family programming, as well as achievements in television Technology & Engineering.

The Television Academy (ATAS) strives to shape and advance the dynamic television landscape; cultivate a diverse, inclusive and accessible professional community; and advocate for the television industry while capturing the spirit of a new generation of content creators and industry professionals. Through innovative programs, publications and events, the Academy and its Foundation foster and empower storytellers. The Academy also celebrates those who excel in the industry recognizing their achievements through awards and accolades, including the renowned Emmy Award. Membership in the Academy is open to working professionals in the television industry.

So, would you like to see the Primetime Emmy and the Daytime Emmys fold into one show if the two unions reached a unification arrangement? Do you hope that after almost 50 years, the two organizations can finally make some serious headway? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

It’s always tricky deciding what scenes to represent your performances to include on your Daytime Emmy Reel. In the case of two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan, General Hospital), he knows a thing or two, or three, of what gives an actor the best shot at taking home the gold.

This year, Steve became one of the five nominees for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards when his name was announced two weeks ago on Extra.

GH viewers know 2025 was a banner year for Burton who delivered very emotional and powerful scenes, which often revolved around the death of Jason’s mother who raised him, Monica Quartermaine (Susan Moore was his bio-mom) in tribute to her portrayer, the late Leslie Charleson.

Photo: ABC

Some of Steve’s most highly-regarded work came when Jason has to give a eulogy and share his remembrances of Monica at her funeral in front of the Quartermaine family and Monica’s friends and loved ones. It was a particularly emotional day for the cast and crew, where reality and acting blurred the lines.

On the latest episode of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GH), the duo welcomed to the show, a very special guest, Giovanni Mazza (Gio, GH), who himself landed a nomination for the first time in his career in the Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category.

As the three men discussed pouring their hearts and souls into their work and scenes, Giovanni Mazza, said to Burton, “What you did, particularly with Monica’s funeral, I know that whatever prep you did and with everything that you put into it, I know that it was a culmination of everything that you have ever done and experienced, and you put it into your work and everyone saw it.”

Photo: ABC

STEVE BURTON SHOCKS GIOVANNI MAZZA

Suddenly, Steve had to correct Giovanni, with what might be to some, startling news. However, when you think about it, as Burton explains it made sense. Steve responds to Mazza, “I appreciate that. But what’s crazy was that wasn’t in my reel.”

Burton continued, “I’ve been on the show for so long. I’ve been through so many storylines and there’s times where you do scenes where you’re going, ‘This is good’ And then, when you’re getting feedback from your coworkers and the crew going, ‘Hey, man, that was really incredible,’ you go, “Yeah, that’s probably pretty good. I’m going to take a look at it for my Emmy reel.’  So, that’s all I was focused on for my Emmy reel. I go, “Man, this is so good. I can’t wait to see it. This is it.’ No. It was one of those things where there was a million cutaways.”

“There were no true closeups, really, because they had to include everybody in the scene, which is totally fine,” explained the two-time Emmy winner. “But that was an interesting process for me, because I thought that was it. I thought that was going to be the anchor to the scenes that I submitted, and it wasn’t.”

DID STEVE BURTON USE ANY OF THE SCENES FOR HIS EMMY REEL SURROUNDING MONICA’S DEATH?

As to what scenes were on Burton’s reel, all he would say is, “I had to find other material, which is great. It made me really go through the process. It’s just one of those things. I did use some of that stuff from Monica’s death, for sure.”

However, speaking of the experience to say goodbye collectively to Monica and Leslie Charleson during the funeral shows was something he will never forget. Steve explained, “(The funeral scenes) were definitely a culmination of my experience there, my time with Leslie Charleson, my relationship with Leslie, my relationship with people who were in the scenes with me. The feeling of the crew mourning her also. It was emotionally a lot. I was grateful for that opportunity. It was amazing (to be able to do).”

Watch the full conversation with Steve, Bradford and Giovanni below.

Now, weigh-in: were you shocked that Steve Burton did not include Monica’s funeral? While he has not revealed all of the scenes on his reel, Steve has to be one of the frontrunners, given the other material he did get to play surrounding losing Monica. Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.