Next Up for Chase & Willow on ‘GH’? Josh Swickard Weighs In
Q&A
Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) wasn’t counting on Chase (Josh Swickard) staying alive when she married him on his “deathbed” on General Hospital. Fortunately, thanks to Finn (Michael Easton) figuring out that Gregory (Gregory Harrison) was Chase’s biological dad, he was able to come up with another DNA-based treatment to save his brother’s life.
Will Chase have to be re-admitted if Willow breaks his heart? After all, she only married him because she thought he was going to die — her heart belongs to Michael (Chad Duell).
Today, Jordan (Briana Nicole Henry) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) throw Willow and Chase — who’s still in a wheelchair — an impromptu party to celebrate their marriage. Will Willow’s secret come out? TV Insider recently chatted with Swickard about his character’s near-death experience, how he feels about Chase’s true paternity, and shooting a sequel to last year’s Netflix movie A California Christmas opposite wife Lauren Swickard (who also served as the film’s producer and writer).
We actually didn’t know if Chase was going to make it or not!
Josh Swickard: We do our best to keep a story under wraps. That said, actors don’t know much more than the audience does. I know about three weeks out. I was getting scripts where Chase was having seizures. Then, Finn’s antidote didn’t work. I hadn’t gotten a talking to about being killed off but then, I read the script where Chase flatlines. I thought, ‘Oh, is this it?’
What was it like playing Chase’s condition worsening? He really thought he was checking out.
I was living in the moment with it and enjoying the process as an actor. It’s one of those love/hate things. I would come home and realize it had affected my body. I was spending 12 hours a day on set, working, playing someone who was sick, even dying. You chemically and emotionally put your body through that. By the end of the day, you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck. But that’s the stuff you get to bite into as an actor where it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I love the physicality of acting.
Playing those seizures looked very intense.
I think it’s a fun opportunity to commit and take all the way. I truly enjoyed the story. I feel blessed that the writers and Frank [Valentini, executive producer] gave that to me and let me play it.
From the minute viewers learned that Finn and Chase were brothers, there was a theory that Finn was Chase’s dad. That turned out not to be true but for a while, there was “proof” that he was.
It was a hard pill to swallow at first because Chase believed Finn was his brother. But I wouldn’t have played anything different because neither of us knew [for sure]. It’s kind of cool. There aren’t too many genres where they can throw these kinds of big curveballs at you — “He’s your brother! No, he’s your dad!” I was happy that Gregory stayed Chase’s father. I think that would be my personal viewpoint because I love the brother dichotomy with Michael [Easton]. But if it had gone the other way, we would have run with that and it would have been good, too.
Todd Wawrychuk via Getty Images
The show’s makeup artists made you look like you were gravely ill but I think it’d take a special effects team to make your hair look bad.
[Laughs] Thank you. Isn’t the makeup team phenomenal? I’ve heard so many comments about the makeup team. I sing their praises repeatedly. Somedays, I’d come in all tan after having been outside and they’d roll their eyes. “C’mon, man!” But they’d do their magic and Chase would look like he’d be knocking on death’s door. I give them so many kudos. They helped me believe I was doing what I did.
Is it ever confusing on set with Gregory Harrison playing Gregory Chase and your character’s name is Harrison Chase but he goes by Chase?
There is so much of that. We also have Hamilton Finn and Finola Hughes [Anna]. Oddly enough, it doesn’t get too confusing when a director will call out shots and give us our blocking. It works for some reason. But, yes, I would think it would get more confusing than it does.
Right now, Willow and Michael are lying to Chase because he hasn’t fully recovered. Is that parallel to when Chase and Sasha (Sofia Mattsson) lied about being together so that Michael could win custody of Wiley (Erik and Theo Olson) over Nelle (Chloe Lanier)?
That’s interesting…I don’t know how Chase will react but I can’t see that situation going over well for anyone regardless of their temperament.
There are similarities — people lying for love and the greater good.
Yes. It’s not the same particular history but it’s not totally different, either. You can definitely argue what Chase and Sasha did was different but Willow is doing what she is for the right reasons, too. Chase might handle it better than the average Joe would because of what he’s been through but he might not handle it all that well. That’s my guess.
Todd Wawrychuk via Getty Images
Who knows? Willow could fall back in love with Chase? Or Sasha and Michael could do the same, as well.
Yeah. There are a couple of options [the writers] could take. I think there’s always going to be something between [Chase and Willow]. I am wondering where the writers will take this.
We hear that Willow’s going to eventually choose to stay with the guy who has the better head of hair. Let the debates over your and Chad’s follicles begin. Kidding.
[Laughs] That’s funny.
Do you have any other projects coming up?
Yes. [My wife Lauren and I] are filming the sequel to A California Christmas. If all the stars align, it’ll come out this Christmas. The working title is A California Christmas 2: City Lights.
General Hospital, Weekdays, ABC
The Doctor Is In
Get absolutely everything about General Hospital in your inbox!
Conversation50 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
G
I agree with the comments below, and now Carly marring Jason. Give us a break. We know it’s a soap opera, but somebody has to be happy. Michael open your mouth and let willow know you both together have to tell Chase your in love. As forNina and Sonny, we’ll she needs to be hoarse whip by Carly for not saying something about Sonny being alive. How long are you going to drag this out? The worst story line is Jason and Carly, give us a break, What does she have on him that he always caves in. For hit man he’s starting to become a whimp. She has no business being in the BUSINESS. Poor Brit.
48 3
-
B
Bs
1 2
-
O
Carly acts like she's the boss of everyone. Time for Jason to put her in her place. I hope Sonny will get all his faculties acknowledged and dumps Nina and Carly. As for Chase and Willow time to end that boring crap too. I want Anna with Val, they are good together. Not sure about Finn and Liz yet, they could her back with Franco's look-a-like. Read they were writing off Sam or that Carly wants off, probably because her boring actor boyfriends not on anymore.
-
-
C
If Willow doesn’t say something and Carly Marries Jason it’s over for me. Been watching over 40 Yrs and this is the worst writing ever
44 2
-
R
I haven't watched GH for the past 3 weeks. I'm so disappointed with the story lines regarding Chase and Willow and the stupid story regarding Sonny and Nina! I know its a soap opera, but its too outlandish! Do better GH!
44 2
-
C
I think GH is in a slump. I saw Spencer was the stalker before he knew he was the stalker. He's too young for Trina. The switching of all the couples on GH and I do mean all of the couples does not make any sense to me. Bring Sonny back to town and stop the nonsense with Nina. Dante and Sam give me a break. Finn with his baby's Aunt Liz is a recipe for disaster. Valentin and Anna nope!! Britt and Jax who thought this was a good idea. Whoever said Curtis was Trina's Dad lets reveal that and tell us who Austin really is. For heaven sakes are you trying to figure out how to bring Peter back? How long are you going to keep him on ice?!!!! I do understand Carly and Jason though. Please GH I've been watching you forever and I have never been disappointed with the writing. Please don't fail me now.
33 2
-
B
I heard that SONNY is leaving the show.
-
-
O
I'm tired of Sonny and Nina, and Willow and Chase, Nina need to go back to Jack. And find Chase somebody.
29 2
-
G
Brooklynn is in love with Chase... let them get together
8
-
-
G
I initially didn't like Michael and Willow together, but putting her in this trapped situation with Chase is beyond ridiculous. Does she have no backbone? Obviously, I don't like this storyline lol! And Mike (Sonny) with Nina is even more crazy. Nina definitely needs counseling as she is doing to Sonny & his family exactly what was done to her. Does she think she is god to think that Sonny is better off in his life now? Read spoilers that said a major actress was leaving GH - can't believe it would be anybody but Nina when her secret is exposed. And Jason & Britt have chemistry - why ruin that? Been watching since I was young and visiting my grandmother, who didn't allow us to talk during the show! She used to make her delicious rice pudding to keep us quiet lol! Back when GH began.
23
-
B
I think the writers are in a fog.
The story of Sasha and what's his faces Mother. Get rid of the mother. Brando,,, sorry I forgot his name.
I want Nina to do the Right thing, and tell that Sonny is alive and has amnisea I misspelled that.
I used to love Nina, but not anymore, I think Jax black mailing Michael is stupid, I guess making him a bad guy is nuts.
Also why hasn't Jax had dreams of seeing Sonny. Also go back to that fake town, and look around. Dragging your feet. Cam and Josh ??? They are 18 and are gonna mess around. Curtis and Trina are Father and Daughter. Get that going. Also Victor is Spencer also grown up.
I love GH and will watch regardless of what ya,'ll Write, the part about Peter in the Freezer,,, Jason told Elizabeth that he would help her no matter what.... Get rid of him so Maxie can have her baby. Thank you... Us fans could come up with Storyline's.
22
-
G
This is the worst storyline and I have watch since 1966. I think Sonny need to get back to his business, Nina need to tell the truth about his whereabouts. Willow need to tell Chase that she's in love with Michael and Valitin need to know that's not his baby and leave the Quartermaine home. Really Spencer grew up. To the writer get better than this. I love GH but this kind of writing make me not wanting to see it. This is the only soap I look at daily because of this kind of crap was going on.
-
-
G
Watched GH for 47 years. Gave up 3 or 4 weeks ago. Every story line tanks.
22 3
-
P
When will it come out that Nina is Willow mother
16 4
-
P
I am sick about all this Weeping Willow and poor poor baby Chase OMG GET OVER IT no one in love is going to stick to some other guy like WHOLESOME WILLOW they make her such a saint she should be a nun she always does the right thing no matter who is hurting and Carly and Jason sick sick sick and Carly is just gloating about marrying Jason and he seems so miserable just to see them holding hands at Metro court make me sick I'm glad Britt ended up with Jax hope she shoves it in Jason face that's what he gets for putting Carly first all the time hope Britt sticks it to him they won't even be married if and when Sonny comes back she is still married to Sonny
14 4
-
R
I started watching GH again after 25 years FOR Michael & Willow. I think Chase will be a much better match with Brook Lynn. My main frustration at the moment is that it seems like EVERYONE in Port Charles is sad and depressed - we need some happiness to cheer for. The teen storylines are the only ones that are happy this summer - so bring back #Millow and #ChaLynn to get rid of some of the gloom in the show.
10 2
-
R
I did the same!! After a long break, their obvious connection and deep friendship inspired me and hooked me back on the show!
2
-
-
G
Let Michael and I willow stay together let there be a happy couple be happy together
9 1
-
R
I agree 100%
1
-
-
B
I’m done watching these stupid stories. Bye bye GH
8
-
C
I stop watching general hospital, I don't like what's going on with Sonny, Callie, now willow and chase, Michael it's to much it's stupid .
10 3
-
P
I really hate this storyline. Carly and Jason...that is STUPID!! Sonny needs to get back to his life in Port Charles because this Nina and Sonny thing is sickening. I cannot watch these storylines. Although I do LOVE Michael and Willow, keep them together. I was looking forward to Britt and Jason, interesting and they have chemistry! But this show is working on my nerves.
6
-
R
I LOVE Michael and Willow too!
1
-
-
O
I like Chase with Brooklyn. I think he needs a trouble maker. I also liked Jason and Britt but I think if she goes back to him after he dumped her for Carly It would be unbritt like. Sick of the Sonny/Nina storyline. They have 0 chemistry. It would be interesting if he came back remembered but no longer wanted to be in the business. What would Carly do?
7 1
-
O
Long time GH watcher but these current storylines are ridiculous and the writers drag them out far too long. You would think after all this time Sonny would be experiencing some additional flashes of memory. The fact that the only way Jason could present a show of force will be to marry Carly makes absolutely no sense. I believe Austin will turn out to be a member of the Novack family. The current pairing of couples is the dumbest.
5
-
R
Want Michael and Willow to stay together. They are a great couple. Let them be happy and raise Wiley together
5 2
-
R
yeah writers get sonny back to carly,but im sure that wont happen until he walks into their wedding been there done that to many times... willow and chase needs to end...
no chemistry between sonny and nina but anna and vaelntine YUM And the Maxie storyline is just sad... we need the old port charles back ,was better when cyrus and peter were on at least there were conflicts and some tense times it is getting to predictable
3
-
P
Sonny needs to come home to stop this wedding with Jason and Carly. Willow and Michael need to tell chase the truth. Both stories are dragging out to long and getting boring.
3
-
C
I'm so disappointed about Michael they haven't let him be in a good romantic relationship 😔 so I hope he and Willow will be together with Wiley.and Sasha is pregnant by a good guy now She is happy
I feel so bad for Britt and Nina
3
-
G
I can't wait until Carly found out that Sonny is alive and Nina is the one who kept the secret. I want to see Carly slap her head off.
3 1
-
G
Willow will be pregnant with Michael's baby
3 1
-
P
Please put Micheal and Willow back together I'm over this Chase thing ( such a weak man to be a Detective ) you have also made Micheal and Willow so weak and he is a Corinthos' . He also needs his Dad ( Sonny ) back at home with his Mom . And what the heck are y'all thinking with the Nina and Sonny as a couple , Nope .. not good just kinda stupid really stupid !!!! There is only one woman for Sonny and that is Carly !!! Stop the craziness . Jason and Britt that's a good fit until you stuck her in bed with Jaxs , Dante and Sam I could see that , along with Anna and Valentin with the years of chemistry between them . I think you may need to hire some new writers , because what they are putting together is not good . Maybe they are disinterested in the Soap now . Time to move on . I have been watching for over 40 years ..
1
-
B
First of all the Nina-Sonny mix just doesn't fit! Nina should maybe fell for Elijah. The story line of Nixon Falls is so boring,yucks!
Brook Lynn would be a perfect match for Chase. After the truth comes out about the baby being Maxies and Willow being in love with Michael, they can be there each other.
Willow should find out she's preggers and everyone will know the truth about her loving Michael. Please just let them be happy❤️.
Sonny needs to get back to Port Charles and remember the town and the people. Sonny and Carly have been together for a LONG time. They are the COUPLE that people want to see.
Ned and Olivia need to get it together and be together.
Nina needs to tuck her tail for all the commotion she has instigated . She knows who Sonny is and has known the entire time. Letting his children and wife mourn him. SAD!!
Finn and Liz don't make a good couple. Finn needs to go back to Anna.
Britt deserves a love. That love is Jason. Not Jax the blackmailer. Jason and Britt have a lot of chemistry. I love how she just lights up. When he is in view.
Nick and Ava should stay together.
That's all this time so until the next opportunity see ya!
1
-
R
Michael and Willow need a break! They have been separated by one thing or another for too long. Chase abused Willow’s trust and then continued to again in his quest to win her back, why would she go back to that? In Michael, she has a partner that respects her choices as much as he loves her. Michael helped heal her heart and I’m so glad they finally admitted their love, but this was cruel and only makes all of them look weak and indecisive. Staying with Chase when he was dying was one thing, but he’ll recover and no person should place the burden of their health like Chase has in Willow. I hope he knows the truth and is manipulating things, otherwise he really is clueless. Willow needs to stand up for herself and make decisions. I miss the feisty Willow who took on Shiloh and Nelle and the Michael that would never let her be hurt. Plus- what is this doing to Wiley? Please end this ridiculous storyline - Willow is not single like when she VOLUNTARILY helped Michael- and her family is clearly suffering from this lie. Love Michael and Willow!
1
-
C
I think the sickest thing is Nina, it's one thing to keep sonny away from Carly, but she's keeping him away from his KIDS, after all she's complained about is being kept from her kids. She's the one that is really sick again!!!! When Michael finds out she will never see Wiley again.
1
-
G
I would rather see Willow falls hard for Chase. Willow and Michael are too boring together. Maybe Michael and Maxi can become a couple. Sick of Nina and Sonny together. Boring!!! Want Sonny back with his family and fighting for them. Don't like Carly and Jason together just don't work. Live to see Jason and Britt together as a couple. Dislike Sam moving in on Dante. Dante's wife still alive and it seems Dante and all have forgotten her totally. Not a Lulu fan but should at least have Dante holding on to the love he had for her. Until she leaves the show or whatever is going on. Get Sonny out of this dorky storyline with Nina. Horrible to watch.
2 1
-
C
I’ve been watching gH since the Sixties As sick as that might sound on and off. I agree with most of the fans about all that’s going on. But the Sonny and Nina hook-up is terrible. JASON AND Carly you have to be kidding. I happen to want Michael and Willow to stay together.
1
-
G
I've been watching since the sixties as well & agree with EVERYTHING you said 100%
15 1
-
O
I agree with you I have been watching since the 60 also. It is getting to the point of all the mis-matched couples I may stop watching for a while . Maybe in a month some of them will get rematched to the right partners
-
P
Yes,I have been watching since the 60's I agree as well. Even though I wanted Michael & Sasha together their chemistry was so hot...She was so into him as he was with her. I was a fan of Willow and Chase.. but Willow is so whiney. She can't make up her mind who she loves..One week it's Michael, the next is Chase. To me I don't think Willow & Michael really love each other.. I think it's lust..cause now all you see them doing is having sex. They throw the love words around like it's nothing. Then she makes Michael stand back while she pacifies Chase.. Really? I think Chase would be better off with Brook Lynn. But it really doesn't matter which couples end up together, they will split up, cause the writers and Frank don't believe in happy relationships. Because they don't have any clue on where to take these characters.. It's been downhill ever since Frank V took over and hired the writers he has.. He don't care what the fans want, Just what he wants. It's like he thinks that a soap opera is a movie instead of a daytime drama series.. This General Hospital is nothing like what we grew up with .
-
-
B
I started watching late sixties early seventies. I stopped watching several years later because they were doing things that were so stupid. I started watching again after some other characters from OLTL went to GH. OLTL was the best.
1
-
-
R
I don't know how any woman would choose anyone over Chase. Michael is okay... Chase is a unicorn. Who turns down a unicorn for okay??
7 6
-
P
Chase is hot but he acts like a toddler and that is how everyone treats him. Including Willow.
2 2
-
R
I would choose Michael any day - everyone has their own taste.
2
-
-
C
I want chase and willow back together they make a great couple and sunny needs to come back
-
O
The show would be ruined if Willow went back to Chase hurt and Michael are a great couple
-
O
Carly has "pimp juice"
-
R
I think Carly should mind her own business instead of always interfering in everyone else's.Chase and Willow should be together.Their chemistry is fun and exciting, because Chase is exciting...on the other hand Michael and Willow are too much of the same....He should have stayed with Sasha.
1 2
-
O
Willow needs stay with chase her and Michael are boring
2 4
-
O
I want Chase and Willow back together, and Michael and Sasha together. They interfered with their relationships before they got started. Leave some couples together. I do not feel Michael and Willow together, no fire chemistry.
14 20
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services