Photo: Jim Warren photography/CourtesyVCirrincione

Who says you can never go home again?  Well, don’t tell that to Ryan Carnes.  The handsome and popular actor has made his way back to his original soap opera home on General Hospital in the role of Lucas Jones, a role he first played back in 2004 through September of 2005!  Now in 2014, Lucas is back on the canvas with a whole new set of circumstances and quite grown up!

When the buzz began building that GH was planning on reviving the character of Lucas, the adopted son of Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman) and the late Tony Jones, many fans were thrilled.  Not only because Lucas happens to be gay, but also because Lucas’ mobster biological father, Julian Jerome (William deVry) is alive and well, and trying to take over the territory of Port Charles, which opens the door to some high emotional stakes storylines!

On-Air On-Soaps chatted with Ryan to get this thoughts on: reprising his role of Lucas almost a decade later, what could lie ahead in Lucas’ romantic life if Brad (Parry Shen) and Felix (Marc Anthony Samuel) are involved in it, and the opportunity he has to be able to hopefully change some people’s perception of someone from the LGBT community through his role on GH.  Plus, Ryan previews this week’s key scenes where Julian finally learns that the son that he never knew is gay!  How will Julian react?  How will Lucas react to Julian?  One thing is for certain, Ryan Carnes is set to become another very popular cast addition to the ABC soap opera, and is more than up for the challenge through the important role of Lucas on the Port Charles canvas.  Here’s what Ryan had to share!

MICHAEL:

How great for you to get the opportunity to come back to GH all these years later.  I was thrilled they brought you back as Lucas, but were you shocked?

RYAN:

Courtesy/ABC

I was shocked and I went, “Wow, this is cool.”  It was definitely a big surprise.  I had no direct knowledge that the character was coming back.  I do have one friend on facebook who has been a fan, and about six or eight months ago he let me know Jackie Zeman (Bobbie, GH) was back on the show, or at least she was being talked about, and then they started talking about characters on the periphery of Lucas.  And then, when they started talking about Lucas on-air, the friend said, “Ryan! Lucas is coming back!  Lucas is coming back!”  I was like, “Alright man.  I don’t know anything about it.  I’ll take your word for it.”  And of course, there was no guarantee that they wanted me to play the role.  Then casting emailed my agent and asked if I was interested, and then we were all very excited.  I actually did not audition.  I think GH executive producer Frank Valentini had watched a reel of some of my past work.

MICHAEL:

One of the pivotal moments in Lucas’ storyline happens this week when Julian learns that his biological son is gay.  Where do you hope that story ultimately goes?  GH certainly has an opportunity to tell a story of a man struggling to come to terms and acceptance of his son, and if he can give eventually give him unconditional love.

RYAN:

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

I honestly don’t know where that storyline is going to go.  I don’t know if Julian will be able to find a place in his heart to accept his son the way he is, or what they are going to do with that.  Either way, it’s definitely important to the storyline because so many young people, young adults, middle-aged adults, people of all ages, deal with issues of acceptance, whether it’s about sexuality or something else, and being accepted by family members, friends, their peers, or society.  So whatever way they decide to go with the story, I think it’s a great storyline.  My hope is that whatever happens with it, and not to hit people over the head with it or anything, but to show that this is a human being with human experiences.  Maybe it will change one person’s, or ten people’s minds, or turn a light on in somebody’s head.  If William’s character of Julian does end up accepting his son, maybe they will go, “Wow, if this badass gangster guy can accept his son, then maybe I can too!”

MICHAEL:

This week Lucas visits the gravesite of the only father he only knew, Tony Jones.  What can you preview goes down once Lucas is there?

RYAN:

I think Lucas is feeling lonely and like a ship out at sea … and not really grounded and not knowing where he fits in.  The one place he knows where he fits in is with his dad, Tony.  He knew that his dad loved him and accepted him, and so he is going to commune with his spirit, you could say.   Then he is surprised to find Julian there.  Of all places … to find this guy who is your biological father in the cemetery where you are visiting the only father you thought you had.  So I think right off the bat that sets up this instant conflict and it sets up this shaky ground for the two of them to have this conversation, and for Lucas to reveal to Julian that he is gay.

MICHAEL:

This is a key point in the story.  How do you think Lucas deep downs feels about letting the cat out of the bag to his biological father?

RYAN:

Courtesy/ABC

I think Julian is making an attempt, albeit feeble, to get to know his son, and so he is questioning Lucas about certain aspects of his life.  I find Lucas to be very comfortable with his sexuality.  He does not hide it from anyone, especially at this point in his life.  He is kind of like, “The heck with it, man.  I am not going to hide from you, or pretend to be something you want me to be, just so you might love me, or accept me more,” and then he just spills it … and you’ll see what happens.

MICHAEL:

The scenes between you and Parry Shen (Brad) where Lucas meets Brad at the bar and we learn they had sex, and that they bonded and commiserated over their dads being gangsters, was very interesting and unexpected.  Especially since, it was told going back and forth through flashbacks and real time.  Was that challenging? What do you think are Lucas’ true feelings for Brad?

RYAN:

The only challenging part of that for me was the way that we shot the flashbacks on the day that we shot them.  I never shot flashbacks on General Hospital before.  It is a really distinct and specific way they shoot them.  We would have to be in a scene and then we would have to hold, and then I would have to literally step out of frame.  Then, there would be a beat, and they would say “action”, and I would step back into frame.  It was the action that would take us in and out of real time, and in and out of the flashbacks and that was the day there was a crazy amount of dialog, and it was like hopping on that moving train. (Laughs)  But, it was fun.  I think the thing between Lucas and Brad is about … how many times do we meet people who really and truly can understand our unique life experience, and get us on so many levels, and particularly, with these guys whose biological fathers are gangsters, and they’re gay, and they have to deal with acceptance and non-acceptance of their sexuality with their families.  That is a pretty unique set of circumstances.  I think right away these guys are kindred spirit.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Now ABC has released this teaser for General Hospital’s upcoming Valentine’s Day that says: “It’s Valentine’s Day in Port Charles, and along with the romantic holiday, there will be joy, as well as pain.  There is joy for the reconciled Dante & Lulu, as well as for Felix, when Lucas accepts his invitation to go out on Valentine’s Day.”  So if Lucas is in to Brad, why is he accepting a date with Felix (Marc Anthony Samuel)?  Hmmm.  (Laughs)

RYAN:

Well, all I can say about that is everybody has to tune-in.  Lucas is totally attracted, and has a connection with Brad for sure.  Lucas at this point does not really know Felix.

MICHAEL:

What was it like returning to the ABC studios of General Hospital after almost a decade?   Was everyone very welcoming to you?  Any reunions you can speak of? Or, was it like, “Who is this guy?” (Laughs)

RYAN:

Everyone had been welcoming, and warm.  There are a lot of the same crew and supporting cast that was there at GH when I was there nine years ago.  For me, it’s like going home as an actor, and it also feels like Lucas’ journey home.  He has returned home to Port Charles from Seattle.  It is a homecoming for him as he is discovering family members he did not know about, in particular his biological father.  I have enjoyed that parallel journey for myself and for Lucas.  Really, of the people that are there at GH now, Jackie is the only one I have worked with before.  I never worked with Laura Wright (Carly) before.  I met Kelly Monaco (Sam) in the make-up room before, but we had never had any scenes together.  There is a special place in my heart for Jackie.  I really like her.  I feel a lot of warmth for her as a person, but everyone has been great.  I have enjoyed working with everyone all around.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Are you hoping that the writers develop Sam (Kelly Monaco) and Lucas’ relationship as half siblings, further?

RYAN:

Oh, definitely, because again, they share a lot in common.  They now share this father … this man who on the surface at least seems to be a pretty suspect human being, who has hurt a lot of people, but nonetheless they are flesh and blood.  Any time they have an experience like that, it’s nice to have somebody to connect with, and bond with over that.

MICHAEL:

Here is what I thought: I thought Lucas was a doctor!  I thought it was going to be Lucas, and not Dr. Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) who was going to become the Chief of Staff at General Hospital when there was the mystery of who was going to get the appointment.  Clearly, I was way off the mark!  (Laughs)

RYAN:

At this point … I have not taken up residency at General Hospital, so no.  But you never know! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

You have played other memorable gay roles in your career, including on ABC’s Desperate Housewives as Justin, Andrew Van de Kamp’s (Shawn Pyfrom) love interest, and in the cult film Eating Out.  Is there a throughline into why you have taken on those parts?

RYAN:

Every role I have ever done, I have been challenged in some way.  So for me that is kind of the litmus test.  Am I going to be challenged?  Look, I love to be challenged in life, and as an actor.  I like to play any type of character.  I have been very blessed and fortunate to play a wide variety of characters, and they have all been very different in a lot of ways.  I got to go do the The Phantom for the Syfy Channel where I got to play a superhero.  That is like a dream come true!  How cool is that?   I got to run around and save the world!  What’s not great about that, you know?  (Laughs)

Courtesy/EatingOut

MICHAEL:

You have always been this sexy, good looking guy.  Is it easy for you to take compliments on your looks, and when people tell you, “Ryan, you’re hot?” Are you able to just say “Thank you”?  Or, is that uncomfortable for you?

RYAN:

I think over the years I hope I have gotten more graceful with it.  I hope I have learned to handle it with more grace, and just humility and appreciation.  On one level it can be a little bit weird, because sometimes it’s like, “Thank you, but I am not really responsible for the gene pool.  Maybe call my parents up and say ‘thanks’ and pat them on the back.” (Laughs)  There is that element of it that I had nothing to do with it, but “thank you”.   It can be a little bit awkward.  I try to tell people that I appreciate them saying that, because it is a compliment.  There is really not that much more to say!  (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Days of our Lives was honored for the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards this year with a nomination as the only Daytime Drama Series that the organization has chosen to honor for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the gay, community and the issues that affect their lives.  Now that General Hospital has re-introduced the character of Lucas to the canvas, hopefully the ABC soap will be able to tell a story of his journey, and love life, and career, and family, and all of that, and that it will be a story that will enlighten those who still have prejudice or misperceptions.  And so next year, my hope would be there are at least two nominees in the category so daytime soaps are more inclusive of gay male characters moving forward.  What are your thoughts on this?

Courtesy/RyanCarnesFacebook

RYAN:

I always hope, whatever roles I end up taking, and its one of the hopes I have for the duration of my career, that I always hope to take roles that on some level have to do with sexuality, or race, or religion or political ideology.  I always hope I can take on roles that somehow will open people’s eyes, and it would be great to affect change in some way.   Like I mentioned earlier, turn on a light bulb in somebody’s head and change minds and open hearts.  I think this storyline on GH has the potential to change minds and open hearts.  And if we can do that, I would be beyond proud, thrilled, and grateful.

MICHAEL:

Macklemore and Lewis performed their hit song “Same Love” at the recent Grammy Awards, and during the telecast as they sang this now anthem for marriage equality, over 30 couples were married live in a moving and emotional moment, that was very affecting.  Were you affected by it?  And, what did you think of the message it sent, and how it was delivered to the masses tuning in to the broadcast?

Courtesy/AP

RYAN:

I was affected by it, if for no other reason, because it was large unified display of love … and that’s great!   I think more love, less hate.  I am all for more love in any form.  So on that level it was definitely affecting.  Also, I think maybe this was the deeper level of it:  that anytime a light can be shone on a situation that is misunderstood, and that there is the potential to enlighten people, I think that is really good.  I know some people had some negative things to say about it.  Who cares, man?   I always try to look at the positive in a situation, and I saw a lot of positive in it.  What I loved about it was it wasn’t just same-sex couples.  I think the idea of “Same Love” is great.  People often debate whether same-sex couples should have children and raise children, and there should be a man and a woman in the house, and whatever argument people want to present.  I always say, “Look, this has never directly affected my life, but I would take any day a same-sex household that’s filled with love, over a heterosexual household that is full of discourse, anger, and disharmony.”  I thought the performance at the Grammys by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis was great.

MICHAEL:

You are now up on Twitter and gaining followers at a rapid rate!  How is communicating via social media going for you?  Were you reticent to participate?

RYAN:

I was really late to the Twitter game.  My friends tease me that I am sort of a social media recluse. (Laughs)  I am just now realizing that being on General Hospital, which is a show that has such a wide following, it’s time for me to come out of social media reclusion, and I can participate, and it’s fun.  I am actually having fun participating.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Do you see Lucas as a good guy?  Is he? (Laughs)

RYAN:

Well, that remains to be seen.  I mean look, you can brushstroke people, and we are not all black or white.  There is always grey.  People are always good and bad, and there is always a mixture.  I don’t know ultimately what direction Lucas is going to go.  Will he be with the mob?  Time will tell!

MICHAEL:

Maybe Lucas will become a mob doctor!

RYAN:

Hey, you never know!  Is he going to react to what is going on around him and decide that it’s easier to just follow in his father’s footsteps?   I have no idea where Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati (GH head writer), and the rest of the writers, are going to take the Lucas character.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Jim Warren photography/CourtesyVCirrincione

In this medium, soap actors can inform the writers, through their performances, some key elements to the characters they play.  These can eventually shape the character, which is unlike in any other art form in entertainment.  From your time in the soaps, do you feel that can be true?

RYAN:

The impression I have gotten from people in the soap world is that the writers at a certain point, if they are really investing in a character, they really start to mold the character, not necessarily in the vision of the actor, but to respond to what the actor is bringing to it.  I hope to bring it, and to make Lucas a memorable character on the show.