On the Friday, December 27th cliffhanger of General Hospital, the long-awaited return of James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine finally happened, when Valentin resurfaced at the end of the episode peering in on a conversation with his daughter, Charlotte (Scarlett Fernandez) and her mother, Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins).

James Patrick Stuart and his GH alter-ego Valentin, were last seen on the canvas back in July of this year, when he got out of dodge (and Port Charles) fast at the urging of Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) so he wouldn’t take the fall for heading up Pikeman and their illegal arms-dealing in town.

Everyone had been searching for Valentin and Charlotte, of late, once Lulu woke up out of a four-year coma and all she has been talking about is locating her daughter to make her family whole again.  Now in Prague, she was successfully (for now) reunited with Charlotte, but what happens next remains to be seen.

Photo: ABC

Stuart made his debut as Valentin back in 2016. Throughout the years he has earned three Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Since 2022, Valentin was on and off the canvas and James also landed a role on Disney Channel’s Villains of Valley View which was recently canceled after two seasons.

With Valentin in Prague, and Anna in Port Charles will she be quickly leaving for Europe to reunite with her ex? Will the couple known as “Vanna” reunite? Stay tuned!

So, are you happy to see James Patrick Stuart back as Valentin Cassadine? Comment below.

The citizens of Port Charles are ready to be out with the old, and in with the new as 2025 fast approaches. In a rough and tumble year on General Hospital, which featured poignant tributes and moments, shocking exits, and a string of newcomers and big returns, just how will co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten chart the course for your favorite characters in the months ahead?

TV Insider spoke with Korte and Van Etten to break down what fans can expect in the romance and danger departments and more. In an overall description of the action in the New Year the lead scribes shared, “Port Charles stands on a powder keg. One spark from any number of stories may explode marriages and fortunes, create new love and new life … and take lives, too. No status quo is certain, and no one is safe.”

For romance and potential couples in town, from the sounds of it, look for Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) to draw closer as they investigate who has been injecting digitalis in the patients IV’s (Sam and Dex, thus far) that is killing them. The head writers noted, “The closer they get to Cyrus (Jeff Kober), the closer he gets to them.”  Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) could also possibly reunite, but Lulu is holding off on her professing her love to Dante; given his grief over losing Sam, but the writers warn, “The longer she waits, the greater the chances that someone else will catch his heart … or hers.”

Photo: ABC

The impeding exit of Chad Duell as Michael Corinthos is starting to unfold. With Michael intent on fighting for his children, now that Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) feelings for each other are out in the open, the scribes say, “He’s (Michael) ready to fight back — when a shocking act of violence has his plans go up in smoke.” In addition, they confirmed that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and Sasha Gilmore’s (Sofia Mattsson) lives will become more intertwined in the coming year, when a request from Michael puts Jason in her path. Will he ask Jason to watch over Sasha and his unborn baby (if she ever tells him that he is the bio-dad)?

Photo: ABC

Korte and Van Etten have big plans for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) in the romance department, as well. “We take our hats off to Van Hansis, who has breathed new pathos, humor and authenticity into the role of Lucas. We look forward to developing Lucas’s role at the hospital and in his family and giving his romantic life a shot in the arm.”

The scribes noted that if Brad (Parry Shen) messes up in his new attempt to woo Lucas back it could, “leave Lucas vulnerable to the advances of a handsome and mysterious stranger.” Looks like a new man is coming to PC!

Photo: ABC

As for BLQ (Amanda Setton and Chase (Josh Swickard), Korte and Van Etten tease that their marriage is tested not only by the setback of not becoming pregnant, but because of, “a secret she’s keeping, and a secret being kept from her, about her. The coming revelations will have profound impacts on Brook Lynn and Chase’s marriage, and on the Quartermaine, Cerullo, Falconeri and Corinthos families.”

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, on Thursday’s December 26th episode of the soap, viewers saw a moment where Sonny (Maurice Benard) got a sudden pain in his chest. Is he about to be dealing with a life-altering medical crisis? Korte and Van Etten teased, “Sonny is hit with an existential crisis that has him re-examining his personal and professional lives. He’ll be forced to make a big decision about his future; and anything that impacts the reigning mob boss of Port Charles will impact everyone on the canvas.”

So, what do you think about some of the plans for the characters of Port Charles in the romance and danger departments for 2025? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Two-time Daytime Emmy winner Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) has been involved in plenty of holidays episodes during his run on General Hospital. Steve has the distinction of starting off his soap career as the preppy and wealthy Jason Quartermaine, and then after a horrific accident, woke-up as a changed man with a different personality, who eventually became the hitman for mob boss, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard).

As time has gone on, Jason is becoming more accepting of his Quartermaine side and is currently at the Q’s with his son, Danny following the death of his ex and Danny’s mom, Sam McCall (ex-Sam).

Through the years, the Quartermaines featured some of the all-time greats of GH including: the late Stuart Damon (ex-Alan) and John Ingle (ex-Edward), to the beloved Leslie Charleson (Monica), and of course, the incomparable Jane Elliot (Tracy) and more.

Photo: JPI

While on the road this past week with the Stone Cold and the Jackal comedy show co-star and podcast co-host, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the two recorded their latest version of the their You Tube series, the Daily Drama podcast, and discussed some of their favorite Christmas episodes on GH.

Burton recalled, “When I was Jason Quartermaine and being a part of that family during the holidays, not only just as the character but also as the actor … we just had a blast. I mean, we were in the Quartermaine den the other day. I was doing a scene with Josh Swickard (Chase).” He goes, “Man, this is fun.” I go, “You don’t even know what it was like (in the old days) when we were all together.  It was a blast.”

Photo: JPI

The love story of JaSam, also provided Steve with memorable yuletide moments as well. Steve shared, “I know from a character standpoint Jason had fun ones with Sam.  I remember the Christmas tree we had once was a sad one – it was like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.”

From an overall character viewpoint, Burton said for Jason its all about “everyone being OK” on Christmas and “safety’ for all those near and dear, especially because of the business that Sonny (Maurice Benard) is in. “It’s all about everybody being at home, safe and OK,” at the end of the day for Jason Morgan.

Check out Steve and Bradford’s holiday episode of the Daily Drama podcast below. Then let us know, what have been your favorite Christmas episodes involving Jason Q or Jason Morgan via the comment section below.