Photo Credit: Erin Ross Photography

Dillon Quartermaine has come back to General Hospital!  The role is now embodied, and embraced by one of the ABC soap opera’s latest and smartest talent acquisitions, actor Robert Palmer Watkins.  In story, the creative bio-son of Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) and Paul Hornsby recently returned to Port Charles when he learned that his mother was still involved and getting ready to become engaged to Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary), and thus the drama began to unfold bringing Watkins into the mix with daytime dynamos Elliot, and Geary in his very first scenes.  But Watkins more than rose to the occasion, and since that time Dillon has become ensconced in the search for Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson) as he helps his old friend Lulu Spencer Falconeri (Emme Rylan) track down the whereabouts of her parents (Luke and Laura) who are trying to save their son.

Meanwhile, Dillon and Lulu are sworn to secrecy and are hiding the truth of what is really going on from his mother, and her husband!  Now, the stage is set for some 4th of July fireworks, literally!  And from the looks of things, there are serious marital woes ahead for Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Lulu, with Dillon back in town, and Valerie Spencer (Brytni Sarpi) definitely waiting in the wings for the right moment for a chance with Detective Falconeri … in fact, the two have now kissed!

On-Air On-Soaps chatted with one of the genre’s brightest new stars, Robert Palmer Watkins, for this enlightening, entertaining, and get-to-know conversation.  As GH fans are aware, Robert’s predecessor in the role was none other than B&B’s Scott Clifton, who made his own indelible mark as Dillon from 2003-2007, but now eight years later the powers-that-be have finally decided it’s time for a more grown-up, and evolved Dillon to shake up the canvas.  Enter Watkins, who in his first major television role had an opportunity that any young actor would love to have … to work with the icon himself, Tony Geary, before the eight-time Daytime Emmy winner took his final bow at GH last week.

From sharing his thoughts on: being on set for Tony Geary’s final farewell to the cast and the crew, to the twist and turns in his journey in the casting process to become Dillon Quartermaine, to how he surprised his mother with the news that he landed the part, to working alongside the likes of spunky Ms. Emme Rylan, to his love of country music and his singing, to previewing what’s ahead for Dillon and the Spencer and Q clans in the week ahead … here’s what Robert had to say about it all!

MICHAEL:

What a way to begin your journey on General Hospital, coming in at the end of Tony Geary’s (Luke) legendary run on the series, and to get to work with him.  How was it at Tony Geary’s on-set goodbye party last week?  You were a part of a historic moment in our genre!

ROBERT:

Photo Credit: ABC

Oh, it was awesome!  I just feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be able to come in on his last little stint, and to be able to be at his going away party.  It’s just pretty epic.

MICHAEL:

What happened during Tony’s farewell?  I am sure emotions were high, and tears were shed.  What can you share about being in the room with so many icons from the series, and your feelings being the new guy in the cast kind of taking it all in?

ROBERT:

There were a lot of emotions going on around, and people were so happy to be a part of it.  Everybody loves and respects Tony. We had the goodbye during our lunch break, but we had the break longer than usual for two hours.  People were taking pictures, and we had a cake.  It was special.  A lot of people made speeches.  It was sad, but it was good.  You can tell Tony is happy, and he is ready for the next chapter.  I am just glad I got to be here in time, and to work with Tony.  It was beautiful, and people were pretty happy for Tony and of course, sad to see him go.  I felt so privileged, and to see all these people together, and to hear them talk about stories for the past 30 some years, and seeing pictures of all Tony’s different hair styles over the years.  It was all of this kind of stuff that I got to witness, which was really, really cool.  They did some slideshows, and a video. Tony was choked up, and more than anything you could tell that he loves General Hospital, and everybody in the room loves him.  It made me so happy that I got to witness part of his journey.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

As I posted previously, I was so overcome that you handled your first scenes ever on a soap with such grace, and such ease working alongside GH giants Tony Geary and Jane Elliot (Tracy).  What happened on your first tape day?

ROBERT:

Everything just moves so fast on a soap, and this is the first soap I have worked.  My first day was on a Wednesday, and I just had to say the tag line, “Mother, do not accept that ring”.   So I had two lines that day, and it was kind of a nice way to get my feet wet, and to see what the process was like, and how much time I had to get ready, and what people were like on set without having a lot of dialog to deal with.  Then on my second day, I did the tag line again, but then we went on and did the whole scene.  When I walked up to set the first day, Jane and Tony had already had some scenes before mine, and so they were already filming.  Then I came in and did my tag line, and Jane made a joke and said, “So, how was your first day?” (Laughs)   The next day was a lot more difficult.  But, it has been so much fun.  I am kind of still pinching myself.  Seriously, this is the first notable thing I have done to get my name out there, and like you said, to be a part of something that is so big, and then these actors having been so welcoming, is crazy.

MICHAEL:

What did Jane Elliot have to say when she saw you for the first time, or knew that you were going to be the actor cast to play her on-screen son Dillon?

ROBERT:

Courtesy/ABC

Apparently, Jane and Emme Rylan were having their girl talk the week before when Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) and everybody were deciding who was going to be their ‘Dillon’.   I guess they found out it was going to be me, and so Emme wanted to facebook me, and she and Jane were talking on the phone, apparently.  Jane was saying, “No, don’t do that.  I don’t know if he is supposed to know yet!”  Then when Frank announced it, Emme facebooked me, but as far as I can tell everyone was ready and excited for a new Dillon.   I think it’s been long enough, so it wasn’t as if I was immediately replacing Scott Clifton (Ex-Dillon, GH now Liam, B&B).  He was great in the part.  I want to bring what he brought to the role plus some of my own style to it.  As for Jane, she was so warm right away.  Jane is so direct, and so when she gives you a compliment you know she means it, because she doesn’t sugar coat things.  So she knocked on my dressing room door and said, “Do you want to go to the commissary?”  I thought, “Cool!”  Maybe we can bond a little; after all she is my mom on the show!  Jane is funny, sarcastic, and is a ball of fire.  I love her.  We’ve had a couple of heart-to-heart chats, and she told me I was doing a really good job.  She has given me pointers just about mememorizing, and to have fun with it, and so has Tony.

MICHAEL:

Tony Geary had a heart-to-heart talk with you?  Amazing!  What did he share or offer to you in terms of pointers, knowledge, or wisdom?

ROBERT:

Courtesy/ABC

Tony was very kind.  He got up on my first day and came over to me and shook my hand.   I had several good talks with him backstage.  Tony said to me, “I’ve been doing this a long time, and just remember to try and enjoy the days, even when you don’t have a lot of lines and are just in the background, and the story is revolving around somebody else. You got to make it fun, and be patient, and that’s kind of how it goes. You will have six episodes one week where your storyline is really hot, and then you may have a couple of weeks where the storylines are revolving around somebody else. You just have to kind of get used to that and get into the flow of it.”  Tony is right!  This next couple of weeks I don’t have as many episodes, but when I just started the first five weeks – I had 6 to 8 shows a week.

MICHAEL:

I would have asked Tony: “How did you survive and thrive in the soap world for 37 years?  What’s your secret?”

ROBERT:

Yeah!  That is what I should have asked him, “How did you do it for 37 years?”  Tony also said, “Try not to take it home with you, especially if you leave the set one day and you feel like, ‘Oh, man. I could have done more with that, or I wanted to try that differently.’”  He also related how everything moves so fast, and the great thing about this job is you get to come back the very next day, and do something completely different, and maybe you can try what you wanted to try the day before in a new scene.  I have never gotten to play a character for this long of a time. Hopefully, if things go well I will get to play Dillon for the next four years, and it will be really cool to see what levels I can find in my performance.

MICHAEL:

In the past, Luke and Dillon were actually very close, and now things are kind of extremely tense given the recent turn of events!  What do you think of their relationship?

ROBERT:

Courtesy/ABC

Stepping into the role, I had several scenes between Dillon and Luke that were obviously pretty heated, but I think that mainly comes from what Luke has been up to for the last several years with Tracy, and from what Ned (Wally Kurth) filled Dillon in on, and from what Dillon had heard.  So, I think when they brought in Dillon he first comes on to the scene with a lot of rage, but I think they also wanted to show he had matured a little bit.  It’s been seven or eight years that he has been out on his own, and surviving on his own.   So, he does come back maybe a little bit overprotective of his mom, because he feels bad for being gone so long.  I actually thought the same thing you did about Dillon’s relationship with Luke:  It’s not that they didn’t have some good moment’s together back in the day.  It was like a love/hate relationship with a lot of good memories.  I am currently enjoying Dillon’s battle with Luke, and that was so much fun to have these blow-outs with Luke, played by Tony!  It was awesome, and I wasn’t complaining. (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Maybe one of the reasons, other than to protect the life of Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson) who is kidnapped and help Lulu (Emme Rylan), he wants to help because deep down Dillon doesn’t want anything bad to happen to Luke, either.

ROBERT:

Courtesy/ABC

Dillon does have a soft spot for Luke.  I think that is why it hurts him so much that Luke did all those awful things to Tracy.  And if anything, Luke was kind of like a father figure to Dillon.  Dillon never had his dad around, and so I think that is another place he is drawing all that anger from.

MICHAEL:

Can we look forward to more scenes between you and Tony before Luke leaves the canvas?

ROBERT:

Yes, definitely.

MICHAEL:

You are working with one of my favorite gals, Emme Rylan.  How has it been being in the trenches with her, and building the bond and on-screen relationship between Dillon and Lulu?

ROBERT:

Photo Credit: Paley Center For Media

She’s great, and she is so prepared every day.  I don’t know how she does it, but she can memorize lines … just like that!  Watching her is pretty inspiring.  I had my screen test with her, and so I met her first.  Emme is hilarious, and she is so tiny!  She puts her high heels on and she is still only up to my knees! (Laughs)  Emme is a really good actress, and she has given me pointers, such as: if you highlight the line in pink you will remember it better… you know, just weird little tips like that! (Laughs)  She knows what she is doing, and is warm, funny, and quick.  We have had so many scenes together that I follow her lead.

MICHAEL:

Dillon likes Lulu, and then there is Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), and Valerie (Brytni Sarpi) being pulled in each other’s orbit.  I could see a big old soapy quadrangle about to break out!  How do you think Dillon feels about Lulu? After all, he did get her pregnant back in the day and she aborted the baby.

ROBERT:

I think they have a lot of history together; there is a lot of baggage there, too.  It’s probably a good thing they haven’t seen each other in so long, and that Lulu is happy in a marriage now.  I do think Dillon is definitely happy for her, but I do think that more than anything they love each other as friends.  They grew up together, and they have each other’s back, which I think is most important in their relationship.  Obviously, there is some attraction there, and obviously we have had a past, sexually.  To be honest with you, and I am being very truthful, I don’t know where it’s going to go.  I only get my scripts a few days before I’m supposed to shoot, so I am just as curious as everybody else.  I have been reading on Twitter that people are tweeting, “So who’s it going to be? Is it going to be Dillon and Valerie (Brytni Sarpi)?  Dillon and Lulu?”  And I am like, “I don’t know … and I would like to know!” (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Since Dillon and Lulu have some knowledge of what is really going on with Lucky, and Luke and Laura, it puts a real kink into things for them back in Port Charles with Dillon lying to his mother, and Lulu lying to her husband!  Where do you see how things stand … and are being played out?

ROBERT:

Lulu and Dillon know Lucky has been kidnapped, and they know they have to keep a secret. They know Luke and Laura (Genie Francis) are searching for him, and they are supposed to stay put in Port Charles –  Dillon cannot tell his mom, and Lulu cannot tell her husband Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), because he is a cop and we are not supposed to mention what is happening to anyone else, for the safety of all involved.  Meanwhile, Valerie thinks there is something more going in between Dillon and Lulu, because she caught them talking about how they have to “keep this from Dante.”  She misinterprets that and thinks that maybe they are having an affair.  It doesn’t look good from her eyes and her perspective, but really they’re just trying to hide why Luke and Laura left town.

MICHAEL:

And this in true soap fashion, these innocent white lies turn into people sleeping with other people! (Laughs)   But now that Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) has taken over ELQ and the Quartermaines have to regroup and figure out how to take their company back, could Dillon end up working for ELQ?

ROBERT:

Courtesy/ABC

I think it’s a possibility, and it has not happened yet, to be honest.   Everything that I have shot, including this past week, has Dillon still writing scripts and focusing on the movie he has been working on.  But as we know, soap storylines can change very quickly!  I could see something happening where something urgent happens with the company, and Dillon has to step in.

MICHAEL:

Fans saw that the former Dillon Quartermaine, Scott Clifton (Liam, B&B), tweeted to you wishing you all the success in taking over the role.  What were your thoughts on that?

ROBERT:

There is a funny story about Scott Clifton that is crazy.  He actually came to my acting conservatory about seven years ago.  He spoke in one of my acting classes, and at the time I did not know who he was.  I did not watch soaps growing up, but I think at this point he had left General Hospital, and he was talking about the industry and auditioning. I don’t know, for some reason at the time, I didn’t put two and two together – and maybe it’s because he had so many different looks and haircuts! (Laughs)   But when I went to read for this role on GH I didn’t know it was for Dillon, because as you know in the sides, they usually have the part coded by a different name like “Dustin”, and a fake side because they are trying to keep everything secret.   However once I booked GH, I got the character name.  I texted some of my friends from my acting class and they were like: “Dude, you know that was the character that actor was playing when he came in to talk to our class!”  And I freaked out and went, “WHAT????”  (Laughs)  What are the odds that I am sitting in this acting class and this actor comes in to talk to us, and I would end up playing the same role he played years later? 

Photo Credit: ABC

MICHAEL:

Have you checked out old episodes of GH on You Tube that featured scenes of Scott as Dillon?

ROBERT:

I tried to make a point not to watch any of his work before I started filming, because he did such a good job, and everybody loved him so much.  Scott basically created this character.  I did not want to copy anything he did.  I wanted to kind of find Dillon on my own.  I had a good idea who Dillon was.  I had talked to Frank Valentini and Mark Teschner (casting director, GH) and the other actors on set, and the dialog makes it pretty clear who Dillon is.  However, I will say, that at about week four I started watching some of Scott’s old scenes, just because at that point I was curious, and at that point I already felt confident enough.  I had already started making my own choices that I wouldn’t let that get in my head and copy him.

MICHAEL:

You have a very interesting twist and turn story on how you eventually landed the role of Dillon.  You actually auditioned for another role on GH first, correct?

ROBERT:

Photo Credit: Erin Ross Photography

Yes, right out of college I auditioned for Mark Teschner, and I think it might have been for the role of Morgan, but I am not positive, because it was a fake side.  And you could tell from the dialog, it had to do with someone that was a mob boss, and if I remember the scene correctly it sounded like it was Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) son.  It went well, but I had longer hair at the time and I just didn’t quite fit the part.  But Mark Teschner was really cool, and then I got this audition about a year ago for Dillon.  Mark is great about remembering people.  I did the scene, he told me I had a callback right there in the room, and I was really excited.  Then the callback never happened.  My manager called and said they were holding off on the role, and that the writers were going to wait to reintroduce this character.  So then six or seven months went by, and I decided to take a workshop of Mark’s, because I hadn’t seen him in awhile.  I knew that we had a good rapport, and that he liked me at that last audition.  I thought, ‘Let me just go through this two-week intensive class with him, and just basically get back in front of Mark and keep that connection strong.’  I did a few more acting scenes in front of him and that went well.  Then about five more months went by, and at this point I gave up on the part of Dillon, because it had been so long.  I thought they either weren’t bringing him back, or they went with someone else.  Then around Christmas time my manager emailed me and said they are calling me up about this role.  I am not sure at that point if it’s the same role from before, but it might be.  I was really excited, and I went in and another couple months went by and I thought, “Great.  Same thing happened.”  But then a couple more months went by, and they called me into meet with the producers, and then I had a screen test, and then I booked it.  Quite the story! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

That was very smart and strategic of you to get back in front of Mark Teschner again and see … it paid off!

ROBERT:

Courtesy/Facebook

Mark remembered me in that class, because he gave that fake Dillon scene to someone in the room, and then he looked over at me and said, “Didn’t you audition for this role?”  I said, “Yeah man, I was really pumped!  You told me I had a callback and I never got called back in.” And he goes, “Yup.  It’s still on hold.  We don’t know what’s going to happen with it.”  I was like, “Alright.” (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

What happened when you told your family that you booked your first major contract role on a television series, and on none other than General Hospital?

ROBERT:

They were so excited, and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been able to stay out here in Los Angeles as long as I have.  I feel so sad when I hear actors say that their families did not support them, and their parents told them to go do something else.  Honestly, I have three sisters, and a mom, and a dad, and tons of relatives, and since I have been little I have been acting.  They have known this is what I have wanted to do.  One of the best parts about booking General Hospital was to be able to call them and tell them.  My mom has watched GH on and off over the years, and my Aunt actually watches it, and my grandmother watched it all the time.  She passed away, but it’s pretty cool I got on here, because GH was her soap, everyday.  Now the entire family watches! (Laughs)  I told my Mom while she was at work in a very interesting way.  It was her birthday on April 20th and she lives in North Carolina, and I had them announce it over the intercom.  They went, “Happy Birthday, Mary Beth. We just want you to know your son booked General Hospital.”    So she came to the phone, of course, and went, “Oh, my God!”  She was freaking out!  It was great.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/YouTube

Shortly after word spread you were the new Dillon Quartermaine, a video surfaced where you are performing a cover of the hit song “Millionaire” with two other friends of yours.  You have a great singing voice.  Might we expect you to sing at next year’s Nurses Ball?  Would you want to?

ROBERT:

I would love to sing on GH, and a lot of people have said on Twitter that they would love Dillon to sing at next year’s Nurses Ball, as well.  It’s kind of funny that everyone found that clip on YouTube of me, but I am so glad they did.  I love to sing!  Acting has always come first, but singing is a passion of mind, too.

MICHAEL:

When you were growing up, I am sure you did not think you aspired to be on a soap.  What did you aspire to do acting-wise?  What types of role did you see yourself playing?

ROBERT:

As I mentioned before, I never watched soaps growing up, and I am kind of glad, because if I grew up watching Tony Geary and Jane Elliot I think that on my first day I think I would have been beside myself, to put it bluntly! (Laughs)  So not knowing how huge they were helps me a little bit.  But then, when I started talking to my family they were going, “Dude, do you have any idea who these two are?”  I have always loved comedy … Jim Carrey, stand-up, improv, and physical comedy.   I love drama, too, don’t get me wrong.  Comedy has always come a little bit more natural for me, especially since I was younger.  My biggest goal now is to be a solid well-rounded actor.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

In a broad stroke, what can you preview for fans to look forward to in the next few weeks from Dillon and Lulu?

ROBERT:

Dillon and Lulu are not going to be bored throughout this Lucky rescue.  It’s going to be very exciting … and you are just going to have to see.  I can tell you that all of this coming week what fans will see was so much fun to shoot.

MICHAEL:

How would you feel if Dillon and Lulu would hit the sheets?  I mean, that would definitely add another wrinkle to the story!

ROBERT:

I mean yeah, that would definitely complicate things, and I would like to know.  Lulu and Dillon have been there in the past, and then there is Valerie and Dante. Honestly, with everything that is coming up with Lucky, at least for now, I can tell you this – anything to do with Lucky kind of takes precedent over any feelings Dillon might be having with anybody on the show.  He feels so bad that he has to lie to his mom, while keeping it together for Lulu, while being this strong support system she needs, because she is freaking out not being able to tell Dante the truth.  So, the love will see what happens with in the future, but right now it’s kind of last on their minds.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) is one of my all-time favorite actors who was ever a part of General Hospital.  Were you familiar with his work before this?  Do you watch Jonathan on Nashville?

ROBERT:

I love Nashville, because I sing, too, and it’s an awesome show!  I am a big fan of country music, too!  I got into it later in life, as well.  I am from the south, and I have been out here in L.A for seven years, and now when I hear country music it reminds me of home, and so I have this deeper love and appreciation for it.   Country is good soothing music.  Now there is some Country music that is a little too cheesy for me, or too twangy, and it becomes too much.   But as far as Jonathan Jackson, I respect him, and he is a great actor.  I got to see him walking around on set, and I truly wished I could have worked with him more.  But … I don’t necessarily wish he was on GH full-time, because then he wouldn’t be on Nashville, and I love Nashville, but I wish I would have another chance to work with him, and maybe we will run into each other down the road.

MICHAEL:

In closing, do you see Dillon as the perennial good guy?  Many times it’s hard to make a good guy interesting as an actor on a soap, but from your fast start out of the gate I would say, you are definitely captivating viewers!

Courtesy/ABC

ROBERT:

Thank you, so much.  I think Dillon is a good guy.  The things that I respect about him are that he does try to put his family first, and he also has a lot of self respect for his dreams, and what he is chasing after.  It takes a strong person to go leave your family and go try to pursue something, as he is pursuing his crazy film career.  That is one of the reasons I love his character so much is because I can relate to that.  I left home and have been in LA for seven years, which is about the same time Dillon left and went to pursue his career.  So just the fact that he is a creative guy, and he is pursuing his dreams is fantastic to play.  I mean obviously he has his flaws; everybody does, but I think as far as the soap world goes, I can say that Dillon is one of the better-intentioned characters.