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‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Nikolas Stays Dead And Other Hot ‘GH’ News From Nathan Varni Interview

By Belynda Gates Turner
Published on: 08:37 PST, Jun 9, 2017

General Hospital spoilers from a recent interview with Nathan Varni reveal some fantastic spoilers for the coming summer season, including tidbits on possible returning cast members, contract problems, Emme Rylan’s maternity leave and so much more.

The GH showrunner sat down with Carly Brockl for an interview on Daytime After Dark, as he does a few times a year. You can listen to the whole hour-long podcast on Blog Talk Radio, but the big spoilers are listed below. One to whet your whistle is that someone will be shot this summer, but Nathan Varni wouldn’t say who it is that bites the bullet.

Nathan Talks About Drastically Different Nurse’s Ball

Carly Brockl started the podcast quizzing GH‘s Nathan Varni on the shorter Nurse’s Ball format and the lack of Magic Mike.

Varni said, “Well we thought we wanted a little variety and we did that quite a few years in a row” and added that they decided to “take a break from the striptease act” but reassured listeners saying, “I’m sure it’ll be back in the future.”

Summer Story Spoilers for Spencer and Josslyn

Carly also asked if Spencer Cassadine (Nicolas Bechtel) and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) would have scenes together while Spencer is in Port Charles this summer.

Nathan Varni offered some choice General Hospital spoilers saying, “They [Maurice and Nicolas] have filmed scenes that are coming soon,” and promised they would air soon and a new trailer shows the duo together on Monday, June 12.

Varni also offered some General Hospital spoilers on summer action for the teen set including some Cassadine stuff with Spencer and shared, “We have Spencer for a little while before he goes back to his Disney Channel show.”

The Cassadine General Hospital spoilers, according to Varni, include a plot with Sonny, Spencer, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) and Nina Clay (Michelle Stafford).

Hot Couples GH Spoilers

Other General Hospital spoilers from the Nathan Varni interview include the latest on GH‘s couples. Unfortunately for fans of the marriage of Brad Cooper (Parry Shen) and Lucas Jones (Ryan Carnes), those two seem to be strictly on recurring.

Varni said they will “pop up every now and again” but added there is “no main story for Lucas and Brad.”

Other General Hospital spoilers say the Julian Jerome (William deVry) and Alexis story will continue soon and will carry over into the Fall. However, what’s not clear is whether William deVry will stick around GH. Varni also shared info on one contract renewal and another that’s up in the air.

Varni revealed that Ned Ashton (Wally Kurth) and Olivia Falconeri (Lisa LoCicero) marry this summer and the date and time for the nuptials will be announced on Friday, June 16.

Roger Howarth Renewed But Noticeably Absent

The General Hospital spoilers and rumors that swirled around Roger Howarth’s contract status are now confirmed. Nathan Varni said that it took a while, but the ABC soap was able to secure a contract renewal with Howarth to keep him around as Franco, but the extended talks will impact upcoming episodes.

Varni said, “We reached an agreement with Roger, it’s really exciting news. Roger is a fantastic actor.”

But the big reveal is that Varni shared some upcoming General Hospital spoilers that Franco will be absent for a while from Port Chuck because the soap decided to write him out of the show “to protect ourselves” during the extended contract negotiations but added Franco will be back “before you know it.”

That means in coming days, we will not see Franco or any Friz action. Since the renewal talks dragged on, they took him out of the show for a while. The onscreen time gap is the same thing that happened to Rebecca Herbst last year during renewal talks.

William deVry Not Renewed (Yet)

Another shocker from these General Hospital spoilers from Daytime After Dark includes that William deVry has not renewed his contract.

Carly Brockl asked Nathan Varni, “Is William deVry staying?”

Varni answered, “I hope so” then added the caveat that “I get in trouble when I talk about contracts. I’m gonna stay away from it but I love Will deVry as a person, and I hope he decides to come back and join us long term at General Hospital.”

What’s very interesting about that statement is the past tense phrase “come back and join us” which sounds like Will is gone now, but contract talks are underway. Since GH shoots weeks ahead, seeing Julian now doesn’t mean anything. If Will’s future at General Hospital weren’t at risk, Varni wouldn’t have said what he did.

Who’s Coming and Going

Other General Hospital spoilers from Carly Brockl’s interview with Nathan Varni include that Emme Rylan will have a few weeks of maternity leave when she gives birth soon, but when she’s back, Lante will have a super couple story awaiting them.

And while co-writer Jean Passanante is confirmed to be “retiring,” Varni said the other head writer is sticking around.

Varni said, “Shelly Altman will be staying with us” but also said this shake up is an “opportunity for fresh voices and new ideas, and that’s exciting, too” so there might be someone new coming into the writer’s room at GH.

Also, another big General Hospital spoiler from Varni is that over the next six to 10 months, a few characters from All My Children and One Life to Live will join the cast of GH on what sounds like a semi-permanent or permanent basis. There are also some General Hospital casting rumors circulating and one has come true with James DePaiva’s GH announcement.

Maxie and Spinelli Return – Nikolas, Luke, and Tracy Will Not!

Finally, the big GH news from Varni’s interview on Daytime After Dark involves five absent characters. Varni said Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) is back next week for two days on June 13 and 14.

Varni said Maxie would be gone a while longer from our screens, but said Kirsten Storms will be back on set soon and added, “She’s in a great place” and “she looks great and is doing great.”

But then he threw some cold water on rumors about three legacy characters hoped-for returns. First is the news about Anthony Geary (aka Luke Spencer). Varni said that Tony is enjoying retirement and will not come back and encouraged fans to cherish the memories.

On Jane Elliot (aka Tracy Quartermaine), Varni specified that even though Tracy’s oldest son is getting hitched over the summer, Jane will not be back for the big event. He said Jane is busy doing things but added that Tracy might send a gift or a note to the happy couple.

Last is Nikolas Cassadine (Tyler Christopher). Everyone wants him back, but Tyler has moved to Nashville and is building a life there. Despite false rumors to the contrary, Nikolas is not coming back anytime soon. There is no recast coming either.

Firm General Hospital spoilers straight from showrunner Varni say, “Right now, he [Nikolas] is going to remain dead. There are no plans to resurrect him at the moment.”

If you want to hear all of these spoilers straight from Nathan Varni’s mouth, listen to Carly Brockl’s June 8 episode of Daytime After Dark. Be sure to watch full episodes at ABC.com and look for more info on all these stories on upcoming General Hospital spoilers.

[Featured Image by Alberto E. Rodriguez /Getty Images]

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