ARTICLE: ‘As The World Turns’ Alum Van Hansis Joins ‘General Hospital’ As Recast Lucas Jones

[Errol]

Although his debut could be derailed by a potential preemption later this week, “As The World Turns” alum Van Hansis (ex-Luke Snyder) is returning to daytime television when he takes over the role of Lucas Jones on ABC’s “General Hospital,” last played by Ryan Carnes (“Desperate Housewives,” “Eating Out”).

According to TV Insider, which first reported the news, Hansis is set to hit Port Charles on the Friday, October 4 episode, albeit contingent on whether or not ABC’s coverage of the Major League Baseball Wild Card Series causes a last-minute preemption of the drama series on Thursday, October 3.

While storyline details have not been announced, it looks like Lucas is back in town just in time for the awakening of his cousin, Lulu (now played by Alexa Havins), who requires a liver transplant.

Although Lucas and Lulu two are not related by blood, the show has recently made enormous efforts to rebuild the Spencer family, of which Lucas is a part as the son of the late Bobbie Spencer (the late Jacklyn Zeman) and the late Tony Jones (Brad Maule), with the couple adopting Lucas as a baby. The character was first introduced in 1989 and is the biological son of the late Cheryl Stansbury (Jennifer Anglin) and the late Julian Jerome (William deVry).

In 2005, Lucas came out as gay, and so Hansis joining “General Hospital” comes as a full circle moment for the actor who previously portrayed one of the first gay male lead characters in daytime during his run on five-year run on “As The World Turns.”

Jake Silbermann, Van Hansis
PGP

In August 2007, during a time when soap operas undertaking such a storyline twist was considered unfathomable, Luke and Noah (Jake Silbermann) became the first gay male characters from a daytime soap opera to kiss on screen.

“I remember when Luke and Noah kissed for the first time, we had ‘Entertainment Tonight’ come. And I get it, but it’s great that we’re in a place where it’s so casual, just like how it is in life,” said Hansis, recalling a different time for soaps in an interview with TV Insider. “There are gay people in life so there should be gay people on soaps and queer people and trans people and all of that. So, the fact that it’s so ingrained and it’s not like ‘the gay character’ or ‘the gay storyline’ feels really nice.”

As for returning to daytime after a 14-year absence, Hansis notes, “I’ve been in this industry long enough that I know there are no guarantees, but I didn’t know if I’d ever be back on a soap. But now that I am, I’m super excited to be here.” He added, “I’m really just making sure that I’m taking it in and enjoying being a part of something really, really cool. I’m old enough now that I’m like, ‘It’s okay to be proud of yourself and be grateful for the opportunity.’ I’ll try to do my best and get the most out of it.”

Since “As The World Turns,” Hansis has gone on to appear in numerous other projects, including the films “Kiss Me, Kill Me,” “First Reformed” and “Easiders: The Movie.” On the small screen, he’s starred in the series adaptation of “Eastsiders,” and has appeared in episodes of such shows as “Psych,” “Nikita,” “FBI” and “The Deuce,” among others.

In addition to taking over the role of a legacy character on “General Hospital,” Hansis also got to reunite with former “As The World Turns” co-star Maura West (Ava Jerome), who portrayed Carly Snyder on the CBS daytime drama series.

“She didn’t know I got cast and I was coming out of a wardrobe fitting she was grabbing her wardrobe for the day,” said Hansis to TV Insider, recalling the experience. “This was the day that we had scenes together and she just looked at me and it was like she saw a ghost. She was like, ‘Van?’ And she gave me a big hug and then she was like, ‘Wait, are you Lucas?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah,’ and she screamed so loudly that the security guard came down to see because they thought somebody was getting hurt or something.”

To find out more about what Hanis has to say about his daytime return, including reuniting with West, check out his full TV Insider interview here.

Note: The post ‘As The World Turns’ Alum Van Hansis Joins ‘General Hospital’ As Recast Lucas Jones appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

Read More

[Liberty City]

This is casting GOLD and my dream Lucas recasting! I am so excited for see Van reunite with Maura West, because I loved their scenes on World Turns together. I know Auntie Ava is READY!