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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”

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.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers

Looks like Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava (Maura West) are back to be each other’s sworn enemy number one. By the end of the Monday, April 22nd episode of General Hospital, the women know where they stand with each other after Nina goes in on Ava accusing her of wanting Sonny (Maurice Benard) all to herself, while her marriage has been on the rocks.

In story, at Nina’s office, Ava shows up to see Nina and says she is sorry about what happened with Sonny and that he reacted the way he did, acknowledging that is was over the top, even for Sonny. Ava says she’ll smooth things over, but Nina says she now understands how manipulative and transparent Ava really is.

Given their horrible history, Nina goes in on Ava and how she should never have trusted her. Nina wants to know how long has Ava had this agenda dating all the way back to telling Nina to turn Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) into the SEC. Ava says she never told her do to that, but Nina wants to know how long Ava has been playing her for a fool.

Courtesy/ABC

Ava says she moved in with Sonny to keep Avery safe and she wants to be on good terms with Avery’s father, Sonny. Nina thinks she likes being in Sonny’s inner circle. Ava tells Nina if she goes to him about her advising Nina to call the SEC on Carly and Drew, it won’t work.  Sonny still considers Nina a traitor and he will think she’s lying because she’s so desperate to win him back. Ava says if Nina would stop blaming everyone else that maybe Sonny would respect her.  Nina says “like he does you?” Ava says Sonny not only respects her, but he also counts on her.

From there, Ava launches into why she and Sonny understand each other, after all, Sonny is a powerful, turbulent, and sometimes violent man. She goes so far to say if Nina wanted someone to just sit by the fire with and play with their grandchildren, she’s got the wrong guy.  Ava then talks about Mike from Nixon Falls (Sonny with amnesia) and how Sonny hid the darkest parts of himself from Nina back then, whereas with Ava they are the same similar creatures, so he doesn’t have to hide anything.

Courtesy/ABC

Nina wants to know just what Ava wants with Sonny? What is her end game? Ava responds that they understand each other, in ways she can’t with Sonny. Nina tells Ava she can go ahead and have it all and signs Sonny’s divorce papers. Ava walks out with the documents, while Nina in tears at her desk, takes off her wedding rings and has her assistant come in so she can messenger the rings back to Sonny’s address.

The episode and these scenes featured great performances by Cynthia Watros and Maura West. You can check some of the scenes below.

Now, let us know, what is Ava’s next move? Is she going to become Mrs. Sonny Corinthos? Do you like Ava and Nina as enemies? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital

If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?

Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series.  When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.

As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023.  Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.

Photo: JPI

Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”

Photo: ABC

Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.

So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.

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Breaking News

The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75

Meg Bennett, who had played Julia Newman and later became a writer for the top-rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 75.  The news comes from her family who shared that she lost her battle to cancer back on April 11th.

Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.

Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer.  Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.

Photo: JPI

Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.

In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro.  Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.

Photo: JPI

Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004.  She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.

Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.

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