General Hospital
Nicolas Bechtel Says Farewell to the role of GH’s Spencer Cassadine: “It’s Been a Great Run … Thank You For All Your Love and Support”
As General Hospital viewers this week become familiar with a new actor (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and a new take on the character of Spencer Cassadine, former GH star, Nicolas Bechtel (Ex-Spencer) took to Twitter to extend his heartfelt thanks to all of his legions of fans and followers.
To say that Bechtel warmed our hearts in the role of the dark prince’s son is an understatement. He was a scene-stealing favorite who could hold his own with all the big name talent of General Hospital. Nicolas’ great sense of comedic timing and the dramatic made him a very sought after young actor in Hollywood. So much so, that he appeared in Disney Channel sitcom Stuck in the Middle, had a recurring role on the Red Band Society on Fox, and has even played young Rob Kardashian in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
In a tweet on Monday, Bechtel shared about his whirlwind run as Spencer: “Spencer suffered third degree burns at his own birthday party, spent time with the spirit of his Mother, ran away, was kidnapped, tampered with an election and broke his legs skiing in the Swiss Alps. It’s been a great run…thank you for all your love and support.” He said in a previous tweet this morning, “grateful everyday no matter what.”
Throughout his run on GH, Nicolas received a Daytime Emmy nomination for his work as Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series back in 2016.
Share your well-wishes and kudos to Nicolas for a job well-done in the comment section below.
Spencer suffered third degree burns at his own birthday party, spent time with the spirit of his Mother, ran away, was kidnapped, tampered with an election and broke his legs skiing in the Swiss Alps. It’s been a great run…thank you for all your love and support ✌🏼#GH
— Nicolas J Bechtel ✰ (@NicolasJBechtel) July 5, 2021
Still don’t get the reasoning behind recasting the character. Especially since he was so well loved by the viewers.
I think the other young people he will be interacting with have kind of outgrown him and look much older.
Exactly, they need to bring him back as Brenda’s son!
That would be fantastic
Because he is supposed to be the same age as Joss, Trina and Cameron and clearly the actor is younger.
To keep Bechtel, they would’ve had to rewrite a little history. Spencer would have to be a few years younger than Joss and Cam – more the same as Jake.
Once Joss and Cam were SORASed with Eden McCoy and William Lipton, there was little choice but to eventually slightly age Spencer, whose long been positioned as a rival for the “townie” Cameron.
Irony there is that Joss & Cam shouldn’t be remotely the same age. Hell, never mind Cam… his little brother Jake should be older than Joss!!
Jake was 4 years old when he supposedly died & his kidney was given to Joss who was still in diapers at the time. Apparently Jake didn’t age at all when he was held hostage on Cassadine island?
Then I guess you haven’t watched soaps much. It was the same when Michael was aged and recast. Everyone loved Dylan Cash who had played Michael for six years, from early school age to early teens. Nicholas Bechtel only played Spencer steadily for a couple of years and then went to recurring status only appearing for very short stints for the next few years. He was excellent as the spoiled entitled prince. But the show wants to bring Spencer back to the canvas and since he’s supposed to be the same age as those in the current teen scene, they had no choice but to age the character. When NB was last on the canvas, he had scenes with both Joss and Cam and they treated him like a little kid, which, compared to them, he was. Just a few years before, they were all the same age. In order to fold the character of Spencer into the current teen scene, the character had to be aged. This is standard soap opera practice. What’s not to understand?
Well, for one, Bechtel is actually only a couple of years younger so its not a major age difference and two, they didn’t have to bring him back to interact with the teens. When he was brought back before, they didn’t interact so why now? This new guy could have easily played a classmate of theirs.
Characters typically need to interact with multiple other characters in order for them to be both interesting for viewers and cost effective for the production. If Spencer only had scenes with Nik, Ava and Laura, he’d be a one-note character.
Had they brought NuSpencer in as a different character, they’d have to create backstory and take time to build up authenticity – something they never achieved with Dev.
I wonder that maybe he has grown to want to go forward in a different direction. In or out of entertainment. I personally think he may need to stretch his leg either on stage or in movies. Look around you can see all kinds of actors that have been very helpful successful after GH.
I totally agree with u♀️
Nickolas Bechtel will always be Spencer to me. Always sweet and loving and now that they are turning his character into a little s–t, I’am glad they are having someone else play the part who will be a different person to me, not Spencer.
Come on! Bechtel as Spencer was beyond a little shit! Always in the adult’s business and screwing with Cam over Joss. Not the sweet little Angel that lived in your own mind.
Why in the world would they recast the role…..there’s only ONE Spencer….I hate when they do this. The only recast that has worked in my opinion is Laura Wright as Carly
Other recasts that have definitely “worked”:
Genie Francis as Laura
Kim Shriner as Scotty
Leslie Charleson as Monica
Wally Kurth as Ned
Kirsten Storms as Maxie
William Lipton as Cameron
And that’s just listing active cast members.
Steve, I’m sure you’re providing new (and accurate) information for many readers. I am old enough to vividly remember the first Laura, Scotty, Monica, and, later, Ned (original actor, Kurt McKinney), whose debut in a hot tub was memorable and who went on to star in other soaps. Thank you for providing this perspective!
Jamesj75
Do you mean the same hot, adorable Kurt McKinny that played Matt on GL? Be still my heart.Crazy old lady!!
Yes, Violet! That same actor. It sounds like your heart’s in the right place. Nothing crazy (or old) about that!
Violet and Jamesj75, how clearly I remember when Kurt McKinney started on GL as Matt, romancing Vanessa — usually while wet and with his shirt off. Dreamy smile, kind eyes, lush hair…now that was a love story! Not these “jump into bed” even BEFORE the first date tawdry tales.
Soaphound
Remember how he built that house for her, with help from friends, way out in the woods where they had been staying? That was one of their best SLs.
You’re technically correct, of course. But Kin Shriner is the only “adult” Scotty (just rarely seen child actors before him) and nobody remembers the first Laura or Monica,
Though I do remember the first Ned… who hooked up with Monica before he realized she was married to his uncle!
Eden M as josselyn
GH was on before the year 2015 you know.
You’re wrong!! Sarah Brown and Tamara Braun were AWESOME AS CARLY!!!
Laura Wright will be the only Carly I will ever remember! It is time for Ava, Nicholas, spencer and the Nelle replacement to be put on a boat a never return.
He will be missed for sure …. Wish he had returned ….
I thought for sure this talented young actor would play Spencer and age normally as done with Kimberly McCullough as Robin.
Exactly, Robin seems like the only child character that wasn’t aged.
What happened with Kimberly is exceptionally rare. For a child actor to segue into the same role as an adult at least 3 things have to happen:
1. Acting quality continues to grow
2. Appearance doesn’t change dramatically
3. The actor must want to continue to act
While Kimberly successfully made the transition, eventually #3 came into play as her career ambitions point to directing.
The character of Robin also had the benefit of GH not having many child characters in the mid/late 80s. AJ and Jason had been sent to boarding school so they never played into story until they came back as teens. Steven Lars was long gone. We didn’t know Nikolas existed until he was a teen. Today, one could argue that there’s been too many children added to the GH canvas over the past 15 years.
Steve
They seem to be keeping the little twins that play Avery. Iam pretty sure they have used them since birth and letting Avery mature normally. I wonder how old the latest child Donna will be if we ever see her again.
Hey Violet
Some of the younger performers (including Avery) might stick around for a while until a new teen grouping is needed. Although rarely seen, Aiden has been played by the same boy for years. However, none of the current child characters are featured as much as Robin was in the 80s.
Donna is definitely one of head scratchers as to why the character was added (especially since LW wasn’t pregnant IRL).
Steve
Thanks for reply.Yes, the Donna thing is really a mystery.Maybey they just wanted another kid in reserve in case they need one in a hurry.
She looks older than the current and gorgeous “Avery’s”
Just bring him back!! He MADE the character of Spencer come to life and was a fun character. You have ruined it.
For me Nicolas Bechtel was simply the best child actor ever on daytime dramas! While I would have loved for him to continue with the role I am looking forward to seeing what Nicholas Alexander Chavez does with the role.
It is sad to see you being replaced as Spencer. You played him (Spencer) superbly. I wish you much success and hope to see you in other shows/films etc. Know that you are irreplaceable. Lots of love.
The show should recast him as Brenda’s son Alec.
That’s a shame—-he is an outstanding character and played Spencer to the letter—-so believable was he.
Spencer has been aged—-I suppose he needs to be en par with the rest of PC’s youth. Spencer needs to “look” the part within that age group—Nicolas would be sort of an outsider looking in……Too young to hook him up with romantically.
It looks as though Trina and nuSpencer are bein manipulated into a liaison?
But, what a way to introduce him!! I don’t like him already—-sneaky and malicious…..Could have introduced him in a sunnier light. I bet the character has turned off a few viewers—-needs to really do his best —-prove himself to be welcomed into the fold.
Please bring back nickolas bethel.GH Always takes away really good characters
They need to bring back Emma as well, she has family in town, and is of college age, so she could go to PC university along with Cameron, Joslyn and now nuspencer. But please don’t recast Emma, bring back Brooklyn Silzer.
Well, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that hates this recast. Nicholas Bechtel made Spencer a Great character and I always looked forward to his scenes.
Great job, much success
This recast is horrible. Either bring back Nicholas or recast again asap
Nicolas, just know, the more we see the new guy, the more we want you back!
Please bring him back
No one can replace you Nicholas. Good luck with all that life sends your way.
Why is Nicholas so hard on spencer choosing Ava over his son
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.
Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
If Anna Devane’s (Finola Hughes) new therapist on General Hospital looks familiar to you, it’s because actress Kearran Giovanni, who plays Dr. Nichols, previously played a doctor on One Life to Live!.
Viewers tuning-in to the Thursday, September 10 episode of GH got their first look at Dr. Nichols who has been brought in to help Anna recover from her PTSD and trauma following the reveal that she has been suffering from a break in reality since before being put in mental health facility in France, after being gaslighted by Cullum and company earlier in the year.
One Life to Live fans will recall that Kearran Giovanni played Dr. Vivian Wright in 2009, and it was then she first worked with current General Hospital EP, Frank Valentini, who at the time was at the helm in Llanview.
Photo: JPI
WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU SEEN KEARRAN GIOVANNI?
Giovanni appeared on OLTL in the recurring role through 2012 and in the final ABC episode of the beloved series was the the ob/gyn who delivered Destiny Evans (Shenell Edmonds) and Matthew Buchanan’s (Eddie Alderson) baby into the world, whom they named Drew Buchanan II after Bo Buchanan’s (Robert S, Woods) late son. In addition, Vivian has been dating Shaun Evans (Sean Ringgold).
In addition to One Life to Love, Giovanni has very impressive credits having appeared in numerous TV series and motion pictures including starring in the TNT drama Major Crimes from 2012-18, ABC’s Designated Survivor 2017-19, the CW’s Black Lightning from 2019-20. Most recently, Giovanni appeared on the Fox series, The Resident and has a recurring role on the CW’s crime series, Walker from 202-2024.
HEALING ANNA
On today’s General Hospital, after Anna’s harrowing meltdown where she almost shot and killed Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) after seeing visions of “Peter August” (Wes Ramsey), Jason (Steve Burton) saved the day and talked Anna down from committing murder. Now, Dr. Nichols was introduced as a valuable staff member at the hospital. Although, this marked the first time in the history of the show we have heard of her character.
So, do you remember seeing Kearran Giovanni on One Life to Live? Happy to see that Anna may have a qualified therapist in charge of her healing, unless the doctor turns out to be not on the up and up? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Anna Breaks Down in Front of Jason and Britt After Shots Are Fired
The Wednesday, September 9 episode of General Hospital featured top-notch performances by Finola Hughes and Steve Burton, as Anna holds Jason and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) at gunpoint on Mount Emerson.
Anna is not in her right mind as hallucinations of Peter (Wes Ramsey) overtake her, egging her on to shoot and kill Britt. Jason begs Anna to put down the gun, but it’s clear Anna is speaking to someone who is not there, but in a direction that is just past Britt.
Suddenly, Anna screams at Britt, “You’re just like your father!” Anna also tells Britt that she knew Britt was aware that she was locked up on Spoon Island and did nothing to save her. Britt turns to Jason and tells him she had no idea Anna was on the Island, “until Cullum showed up in Port Charles.” That declaration gave Jason pause.
Courtesy/ABC
“PETER” TAKES A BULLET
Next, Anna is overcome with angst, filled with tears and screams out, “I won’t let you beat me!” She fires the gun where the imaginary Peter was standing, as Britt screams and Jason dove to cover her. Now completely shaken, Jason took the weapon from Anna and ordered Britt to leave the scene as Anna collapsed in Jason’s arms.
Jason was so concerned for Anna. She reveals she’s been seeing visions of Peter August since France. Jason shared his theory with Anna that she was manifesting her worst fears about Faison. However he knows deep down Anna would never have shot Britt. Jason promises to come back and clean up the area, but would take Anna home first.
Courtesy/ABC
ANNA ADMITS TO EMMA SHE TRIED TO KILL BRITT
At Anna’s, Jason brings her in the front door as Emma is there. Jason tells Emma (Braedyn Bruner) he would like to return and spend the night. A confused and worried Emma get the full story from her grandmother.
Anna explains she tried to kill Britt and she is not as well as she was pretending to be in France. Cut to: Jason cleaning up the site of Anna’s plot against Britt on Mount Emerson. He moves over and finds bullet casings on the ground and examines one of them.
The story climax also signaled the end of the run for Wes Ramsey, who has been showing up on episodes over the last several months as Anna’s dark side conscience. Now that Anna was able to break the psychological hold visions of “Peter” had on her, it ends this latest return of Ramsey’s.
So, what did you think about the scenes between Anna and Jason? Do you think Jason and Britt’s relationship will come to an end now that seemingly Britt revealed she knew Anna was held captive after Cullum came to town? Glad to know Anna won’t be haunted by visions of Peter August anymore? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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