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With Talk Of Nikolas On GH, Tyler Christopher Says: “I’ve Always Said I Would Never Close That Door From My Side”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

On recent episodes of ABC’s General Hospital, a few of the key characters in the life of the “late” Nikolas Cassadine spoke about him including: his on-screen mother, Laura (Genie Francis), his ex, Hayden Barnes (Rebecca Budig), and a woman who would have been poised to be a new love interest, Ava (Maura West).

So with the name-drops and mentions in recent weeks, could the character who was shot by Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) and fell out a glass window on a balcony, be making a return soon and be very much alive?

Soap fans tweeted at the actor most known for his role as Nikolas Cassadine (in which he won a Daytime Emmy for his performance), and former Days of our Lives star, Tyler Christopher, to see what his thoughts were on what could be happening on General Hospital with the character.

Tyler made this statement to his Twitter followers: “You are all very sweet to be so loyaI as you always are. I know they are talking about Nikolas as of late. I’ve always said I would never close that door from my side. I just want to thank you all for always rooting for me and the character. I grew up with him as many of u have.”

For over 20 years, Christopher had played the role of the dark prince of the Cassadines.  When he went on leave from the series in 2016, he was replaced by Nick Stabile, who was Nikolas at the time of the character’s supposed death.

Later, Tyler debut on Days of our Lives and took on the role of the newly created character of Stefan O DiMera.  He was also nominated earlier this year for a Daytime Emmy for Lead Actor for his performance in that role.

Longtime fans of GH have also been active on social media hoping that somehow GH could find a way to bring back both Tyler, as well as his on-screen TV brother, Jonathan Jackson (Ex-Lucky) so Laura could also have her sons back on the canvas.

So, do you think GH is about to bring Nikolas back?  Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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I’m all for Tyler Christopher, or even Nick Stabile, as Nickolas, but not Jonathan Jackson as Lucky. I’d much rather see Greg Vaughn come back as Lucky instead. Jonathan is too flighty and never sticks around, ends up leaving when something better comes along, which by the way is why Greg Vaughn was let go…so Jonathan could come back. And then he’s up leaving again.

I agree with your comments totally! But we are in luck as Tyler is coming back in the role of Nicholas. I’m wondering if Jax and Hayden have something to do with his reappearance??

kitty, I’m thinking Hayden definitely knows something about Nikolas, I’m thinking she found him and probably helped him recuperate, and now he’s still recuperating but probably now out of the hospital and in some island being taken care of and probably w/ Hayden and Finns baby around too. who knows, but that’s where I’m going w/ this after all Nikolas is starting to get mention a little to much don’t you think ?

So agree with you about JJ. They FIRE GV to bring back a short term actor. GV is a good actor and I like him as Lucky. GV is on Days (I think) at the moment, but if the opportunity presents itself, they should bring him back. Triangle with Liz & Franco would be good. As would a Nick/Ava pairing. Nick defending Ava against Sonny would be good.

Exactly. Greg would definitely be a better fit in a love triangle with Liz and Franco than Jonathan. I like Jonathan, it’s just that he’s not committed to GH long term and never will be again. I think the character of Lucky should be recasted so he can stick around for good and just move on from Jonathan.. I’m not okay with actors who quit their jobs and the moment their careers go down the toilet elsewhere, they want their old job back, getting the current actor fired. Years ago, Tyler Christopher left the role and Nickolas was recast by Coltin Scott, and Coltin was let go when Tyler decided to come back. Same thing just happened when Michelle Stafford left GH to resume her role on Y&R, getting Gina Tognoni fired. I hate it when they do that.

Greg should stay on Days, because he’s far better suited for the role of Eric Brady. He did OK on GH, but it was hard to identify the character he played as “Lucky Spencer” because he didn’t have hardly any resemblance to Luke & Laura’s kid, the guy who married Elizabeth, etc.

As far as JJ leaving GH, that was due to the horrible writing….. they had an interim head writer there named Garin Wolf who was between the Guza regime and the OLTL takeover of the show. Wolf had his good points and his bad points, but the absolute worst thing about his writing was an obsession with destroying the entire Spencer family. He might have hated Lucky most of all, turning him into a pill popping crybaby who abandoned his family on Xmas Eve. I don’t blame JJ for not sticking around for that. Though now that Nashville is over, I really would like to see him come back. And more than likely, be the one to track down his brother Nikolas.

I think a Lucky recast would work if they choose carefully. It really goes against Lucky’s nature to abandon his kids. He swore he’d not follow in his father’s footsteps and that he would be there for his kids. And I am all for anyone who can break up Lizzy and Franco Cleaver.
All I ask is that they do not cast Jacob Young. He tended to yell his lines and I am sure he would frighten poor Aiden if he screamed,”YOU MUST KNOW HOW MUCH I LOBE YOU! RIGHT!!!???”

C’mon give Franco a break

You mean Ward Cleaver? When they extracted that brain tumor they must have accidentally given him a lobotomy. They took away his dark side but they also took away his nuance, his complexity, his spirit. Now he’s skipping up to the police station like Cindy Brady. Forgive the mixed metaphors (mixed old TV characters). I like Roger Howarth but Franco is boring.

Forever J. J!!

Wouldnt worry about it. JJ has no desire to return to GH; he’s heavily involved with his band. Greg Vaughan’s at DAYS for years and it’s rumored he may be leaving, but to live with his girlfriend Angie Harmon in North Carolina. So, if he leaves Days for that resson we can assume it wouldnt make him available for soap work.

In my opinion, there is only one Lucky and that is Jonathan Jackson.

There’s only one Nikolas and that’s Tyler Christopher. There is so much unfinished business and storyline potential with the character. He’s available and would obviously go back if asked. GH and ABC need to make it happen. There’s no reason not to. Same goes for Jonathan Jackson, if that could be worked out, even just for a short return. I would love to see one or both of them back.

The show needs a shot in the arm, they’re struggling in the ratings. Too many stories dragging on endlessly without a resolution, too many new characters that people don’t care about. GH has the best cast in daytime from top to bottom, they could be doing so much better. Frank needs to get on the horn with Tyler, work out whatever issues need to be worked out from when he left the last time, and get it done!

Stories would still drag on without any resolution even if they brought Tyler back. Bringing him back will only shoot up the ratings short term.

He’s finally been asked. I can’t believe it took Frank Valentini so long to wake up and listen to the fans! Tyler announced it and so did GH! He’s coming back as Nicholas in the fall. Woohoo!!!

Kitty, where did you see that Tyler is coming back? I see nothing about it anywhere. Checked his Twitter, checked the GH Twitter. Nothing. Would love for it to be true, but I think you’re jumping the gun a little bit. If and when Tyler does announce his return, Michael Fairman will have it here on the site, I’m sure.

Hi Dan I’m not positive but I believe it was soap dirt.

He didnt say he was coming back. He said he wasnt closing the door if he was asked. He hasnt been asked..or..at least, that hasnt been reported. Seems to me he wants to be after having to leave Days for personal reasons..and stating on Twitter that he hasnt closed the door “on his end” gets lots of fans support which in turn the producers take note of. Then they weigh the cost benefits.,..

I wouldn’t say they have the best cast. Watching Days and B&B for about six years now.. GH for decades…but those other two have equally good actors. Quite a few, as we know, go from show to show, so I think who we like is subjective…not necessarily the best. As for stories dragging on, again, GH doesn’t stand out. Both B&B and DAYS have had stories that go on and on…B&B, most recently, should win the award for most redundant dialogue in an ongoing story…
Either viewers have forgotten how the genre works… or we’ve gotten more impatient, because daytime soaps always took forever. Used to joke that u could stop watching for a year, pick it up again and never miss a thing.

Yes bring back Nicholas we miss him n if you could bring back Lucky Jonathan to play him that would make Laura be so static to have both sons back

I do like Brandon Barash as Stefan on Days tho he would had been ok as Peter Blake even if a little young for the role…if Tyler does come back on GH hopefully they write for him…also i like new Nina Cynthia Watros but also liked the actress since her days on GL…GH has its ups and downs…mostly the later….still think Dee should had been around when Kiki was killed off…would like to see Heather around…keep Mac as Commish..i do like new Jordan but Mac as Commish so much better…

Brandon Barash was not only too young to play Peter Blake, he was also too short! The original Peter was probably about 6’7″. Now I have heard some mortals “shrink” a little bit as they age, but that would be a bit extreme.

Doubt we will ever see the character of Peter Blake again in any form. Nobody even mentions him, including Kristen, his only actual living blood relative.

Always loved his character, don’t know why he left! But i always they would bring him back. Not a replacement!!

I’d love for him to come back. I’ve missed him since he left. Excellent actor!

I would love it if Tyler returned to the role of Nikolas Cassadine!! It’s definitely time for him to return!

I think Hayden knows Nikolas is alive, hopefully Christopher will play the prince again. as for lucky returning, the character been so ruined already. Is lucky really needed? the character is to self righteous and liz doesn’t need someone like that in her life, Jason already acts that way with her.

Love Tyler. Liked Nick Stable too. I have my doubts, though, the writing is horrible, no character development, & the storylines are horrendous. Oh, how I wish Dante KILLED Peter. Bury that bozo in the parking lot and be done with it! #julliardbootleg

@DMRR….You have succinctly stated the current condition of GH…if it were a patient, it would be on the critical list! An emergency intervention is definitely in order…time to cut-out all the superfluous characters, tighten up the plotlines and get back-to-basics by returning much-missed legacy players to Port Charles! A good start on the road-to-redemption for this soap would have been your suggested dream scenario regarding the highly-unpopular Pete! “Bury that bozo in the parking lot and be done with it,” indeed!!!! (Love it!)

Hahaha, Shay! Isn’t “bring your boyfriend to work” day over??? He’s horrendously horrible!

“Horrendously horrible!” Total understatement there, DMRR! By the way, I sent you a previous reply suggesting another “day” for Pete to celebrate and although according to my email it was approved, it never actually posted! Hmmm…..guess someone had second thoughts…LOL. Anyway, I also added that your deliciously biting wit never fails to amuse me! That much I will repeat! (Sans a “re-pete” of my my no-no comment….)

Please save this show! Bring back Nicholas & spencer! Lucky & Luke! Everyone loved the old crew and get Ned back involved…come on writers spice this up with the old crew!!!!i love the new people so much but we need some nostalgia!

Tony Geary retired. Luke. Is. Gone. Forever.

Every hint has been clearly given that Nikolas is not dead. He’s certainly not in Hell, I can verify that much. Having said that, if they can’t get Tyler Christopher back, don’t bother at all. The first Nikolas recast – Coltin Scott or Steven Martinez or whatever name he’s going by now – did a decent job, but he’s since become a fugitive con artist in real life, so not likely he will ever be back.

The most recent recast? Simply horrible. Never bring him back, even if it’s to throw him out the window a third time.

Heeey Satan ..
It is Jax-
Jax is in cahoots with Nikolas..
they are working a game on Valentin.
Wait for it 🙂

Yeah, and it seems like Hayden is also in on it, given her facial expressions when Laura was talking to her about Nik & Spencer.

I’m totally cool with them bringing down Val the Bastard, as long as it’s the real Nikolas. If Tyler ain’t coming back, don’t bother.

Heeey Satan,
when Valentin was brought in I was excited for a hardazz Cassidine, the real deal..
But he’s a creampuff and a disgrace to the Cassidine name.. Not a true-blood fearing Cassisine not a bad bone in him, the wuzzy BWAA!

Jax and Nikolas and Hayden had best bring on some hard drama as in days of old ..

I’m sure that Tyler will be Nicolas, he is ready to return no need to recast.

Right, Su000? It was said that Valentin was the only person of whom the sinister Helena Cassadine was afraid. All he’s done is play with DNA and Ancestry.Com. Oh, and he played the piano and sang delightful silly, little love songs at the Nurse’s ball. Oh SHUDDER!!!!

Right, Harry! Oh, the horror! 🙂

Agree, su000! No need for a recast. Tyler is willing; bring him back! Genie played with him when he was a nubie; she and he are good together as mother and son.

Well, they definitely keep teasing us that he is alive. I hope it finally comes about as being true and that Christopher returns in the role. There’s just soooo much story left to be explored. That being said, if not Christopher, Nick didn’t do a bad job in the role. So let’s get Nikolas back to GH, have Spencer come back and then watch all those fireworks go off. Nik going after Valentin, his budding romance with Ava who’s been adrift since Kikki’s death, reuniting with Laura, Lulu and Spencer; not to mention Hayden and Elizabeth and all his frienemies he developed before being shot. The possibilities are numerous!

One thing we know for sure, it won’t be Stephen Martines.

I’d love to see Tyler Christopher (wearing his dark burgundy dress shirt and dark grey slacks and living on Cassadine Island) back on General Hospital. Remember how he always wore that same outfit?

What a vivid memory you shored up there, Charday. Now that you mention it, I do indeed remember that burgundy dress shirt. Didn’t it have a Roman collar and was that during the time Nikolas was going through his unfortunate hair bang period?

@Harry…Oh, I vividly recall those gray trousers….I always thought that they looked like polyester “grandpa pants” that would stretch every which way!

Please please bring him back!!!

Nikolas needs to return to GH. His story is unfinished. Valentin is not likable and has no redeeming value — he needs to leave GH and Nikolas needs to return soon!!

there was so much satiate.. left over.. from Tyler – AND – Maura

HUGE let

you add the passion of;

Valentin n’ Nina
Olivia n’ Ned
Brad n’ Lucas
Mac n’ Felicia
Kevin n’ Laura

sterling amount of add

I would love it if both Laura’s son’s came back portrayed by their original actors.

Yes bring him back I love watching him on general hospital. He is a good actor.

I would love too see Tyler Christofer come back,it’s been too long.give Tyler what he wants in is contract.And also,I would love too see Jonathon Jackson,too come back,he has been gone too long,his kids on the show hasn’t seen him in a very long time.

I would love to see Nikolas come back but not lucky. Lucky was boring.

It would be wonderful if Tyler could bring Nicholas back to Port Charles. No one can really play that role but him. JJ-J is the only one who can play Luckey. Bring them both back and P.C. will really be interesting again.

Come on home, Tyler! Genie will welcome you!

They could recast Lucky. I’ve never thought Jackson was a good fit nor did I like Vaughn in the role. Jackson seems as scrawny as his facial hair. Vaughn is too big of a man to be Luke & Laura’s kid and he seems to have aged too quickly in his role as Eric Brady on Days.

As for Nikolas Cassidine, it’s Tyler Christopher all the way! He looks like a man who would be torn between his good self and his bad self. He looks like a Greek/Russian prince.

Bring both characters back. Laura needs her sons around her especially now that she’s finally moved on from Luke and come into her own personal power.

BTW Julie Berman will forever be the real Lesley Lu Spencer! I don’t even know this new girl’s name!! She should join the caravan returning back to Y & R.

Yes!!! I miss Nick and never thought for a minute of counting him out! Nor they would write him out totally. I am sure he is plotting with Hayden and Jack’s to remove Valentine from the the Cassadine castle as well as his thrown! I have the whole thing planned out for ya Nicolas come on down

General Hospital would have to be crazy not to bring back the dark prince! It could be a great storyline and ratings surge for the show.

Yes i hope so i love his character

Yes bring back the Prince. Give him a juicy role to sink his teeth into that will give him another Emmy !!!

I want to see Tyler Christopher come back to GH as Nikolas and I want to see him sporting a beard at first. He can shave it off later but for his return I want to see him with a beard.

Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

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Antonio Sabato Jr.

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.

Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU  Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.

The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Jack Sabato

Photo: NBC

Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”

He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”

The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”

Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.

Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.

This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.

So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Antonio Sabato Jr (@antoniosabatojr)

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos

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Ayla Bullington

Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.

In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.

She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’” 

Josslyn

Photo: ABC

THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH

Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’

The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.” 

The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.

As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”

So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.

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