‘General Hospital’ Recasts Ethan Lovett as Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
Spoiler Alert
Christian Howard has stepped into the role of General Hospital‘s Ethan Lovett, replacing Nathan Dean, who returned to the soap on April 17, 2026.
Howard made his debut in the Monday, July 27 episode in scenes opposite Maura West‘s Ava Jerome. A voiceover announced, “The role of Ethan Lovett is now being played by Christian Howard.”
Dean returned in the spring after a six-year absence. In an exclusive interview with TV Insider, he said he began thinking about reprising the role following the death of Anthony Geary, who played Ethan’s father, Luke Spencer. When executive producer Frank Valentini and casting director Mark Teschner then reached out, Dean was ready to come back.
Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
“Initially, they wanted three years,” he shared at the time. “I said, ‘I can’t do three years. There’s a lot going on in my personal life. I need to be home with my wife and all this stuff, so can’t do three years, can’t do two years.’ So, we agreed to do these next four months, see how it goes, and they have a pretty interesting little story lined up.”
After TV Insider broke the news of his return, Dean took to social media, enthusing, “So excited to be back. I can’t wait to see some familiar faces and enemies, and make some new ones along the way.”
After leaving Port Charles, Dean landed starring roles on the prime-time series Roswell, New Mexico and The Originals, though he admitted returning to daytime came with its own pressures. “I’m definitely nervous,” he said before his return. “It’s been a long time since I’ve worked in that environment, and it’s a very, very different environment than other shows that I’ve been doing. I remember the pacing from last time I was there, but that was six years ago, so I was sort of like, ‘Oh, I hope I still got it.’ My first week definitely had some growing pains at first. I was just tearing a hole in the floor, pacing around trying to work on everything. I had to fly over to L.A. because I’m living outside of Austin now, so I had to fly in to L.A., I had to find a place to stay. It all happened very fast.” Once he settled back in, Dean said he was happy to be reunited with the cast and crew. “It’s been great,” he added. “I’ve gotten to work with Maurice [Benard, Sonny Corinthos] and Jane [Elliot, Tracy Quartermaine], and obviously, Frank and Mark are amazing, and I got to see some familiar faces and meet some of the new faces. Everyone’s been very nice, and I’m slowly, slowly getting back into it.” During his comeback, Dean shared most of his scenes with Maura West, as well as on-screen sister Alexa Havins (Lulu Spencer), Maurice Benard and Jane Elliot. Ethan’s mysterious connection to baby Phoebe, whom Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) are adopting, was established, along with his growing connection to Ava.
It’s not yet known how long Howard will remain in the role.
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G
Nathan Dean was finally getting an interesting story line. Nathan is a really good actor who didn't have much to work with. And when he finally starts getting time to show his skills as an actor, he is replaced by a person who is not as good an actor & not nearly as good looking!
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W
You don't know if he was "replaced", or if he left. If they've decided the character is going to stay, then they had to recast.
The petty and immature comment about their appearance was unnecessary.
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S
Neither was your second comment.. relax!!
Back to the main point they should not have recast Ethan they should have just written him off the show until he could come back.
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K
Ohh my! I was SO impressed with Nathan Dean! LOVED his portrayal of Ethan Lovett! He was one of a kind and hard to replace! Of course, I wish him well…but PLEASE PLEASE come back! GH won’t be the same without you!
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B
I agree. Hoping he’ll com back
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P
I am very disappointed in this change in the cast!
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M
I am also disappointed! No offense but the new guy just does not fit the role! 😡
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L
Very disappointed with the recasting. If it was Nathan Dean’s choice to leave, I can respect that, but any other reason is a huge mistake.
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S
Yes exactly
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S
I love Nathan Dean he was so good he's a great actor he's always been one of my favorites and when he's on the screen you can't take his eyes off of him.. the recast is terrible has not got his charisma or his good looks or his chemistry with maura West bad recasts people!!
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G
I agree. I do not like the recast. He doesn’t even have a British accent. His teeth are also jacked up.
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K
Dean definitely has the charisma to the nth degree!
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C
The new
One looks like Cody and can't act either!
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C
This one looks like Cody and acts like Cody who really can't act!
Bring back other Ethan
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C
Not at all happy about this
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F
Me either! I was looking forward to him possibly getting together with Ava! The new guy doesn't even have an accent, and doesn't seem to fit the character of Ethan, at all!!! Very disappointed 😔.
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J
Thank goodness for fast forward!
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F
Lol!! Right?
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R
Not happy either
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G
I hate to see Nathan Dean leave. He’s a very good actor. He kind of reminded me of Jack from last year.
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D
Nathan is the one that made the character Ethan.! It’s like recasting Sonny or Tracy Quartermaine, They should really think before they make mistake changes like that..
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L
Couldn’t agree more. Shame on who ever is in charge of this department for always trying to pull one over on GH fans! There have been other mistakes like this one involving recasting that just don’t work and they hope we won’t notice how bad or will just accept it.
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W
I am heartbroken I think him and Ava looked really good together and both are very good actors why bring him back and get us all excited for such a short time That's not right I hope at some point he decides to come back and is he still married to maxi Jones in real life I heard they were and had children
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T
Thats Johnny zacchara
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F
He and Maxie are not married in real life. She is single right now. Her ex husband is Brandon Barash, and he used to play Johnny Zacchara on GH years ago.
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K
Anyone else feel like their looking at a replacement of Cody and not Ethan. Where's the accent?
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F
Exactly!! They may have to try our several Ethans, like they did with Molly, til they find the right one! Plus, this guy doesn't even come close to what Sonny needs as a right hand man!!
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T
I was thinking the same thing. This replacement doesn't even carry the attitude of Ethan's new role in Port Charles as Sonny's right hand man!! I really do hope his crash course of this role gets better and tougher looking. I'll feel betterknowing he's a quick replacement and casting is still looking for the right guy to fill the role.
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F
I'm hoping the same thing. Let him please just be a placeholder!
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K
I first thought it was for Cody and was disappointed they would replace him. But then realized it was replacement for Ethan and was much more disappointed. The new guy definitely does not do the character any justice at all!
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F
At all!!
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#
I know, right?!
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S
Horrible replacement. Nothing against Christian Howard, but it’s not a good fit!
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G
Nathan played the part very well for that character. Howard just doesn’t fit the role of being Luke Spencer‘s son. Where Nathan portrays as rough bad boy where Howard reminds me of a gentle, soft man.
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B
No, I loved the old Ethan! I loved watching him and Luke. They both had so much charisma. Please bring him back!!
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B
If Ethan is leaving why bother changing actors? Does this mean Ethan may stick around now? Won’t that be interesting! I’m sorry sorry to see Nathan leave but knew he wasn’t going to stay long. Wish him well and happiness!
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G
Not happy with Ethan replacement at all!
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D
I am not crazy about this new guy! I liked Nathan Dean in the role of Ethan!
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V
Do NOT like the new Ethan. Are we supposed to not notice his accent went away🙄
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B
IKR?
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L
Bring back the original Ethan do not care for the new one
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J
I'm very disappointed with Nathan's recast.
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M
No this is not a good recast!
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D
Not a good recast
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S
I watched today and the new person does not dojustice to the previous one I mean the chemistry is not there and this actor looks way tooo young
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F
And waaaay too soft to work for Sonny!
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G
Don’t like this replacement. Couldn’t they have found someone that looked a little more like Nathan? This guy looks boring already.
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G
Nathan Dean, man I hope you'll be reading this cause I love the character that is Ethan Lovett.
Your interpretation of Ethan reminded us who your parents are. You are both equal parts your Mother (Holly Sutton) and your Father (Luke Spencer) and yet Ethan was his own person. You had the swagger, the secret pirate smile and you rocked the ponytail.
When Ethan returned you matured the character with your haircut which was a visual that Ethan had matured. (Still with the swagger & a pirates smile.)
Obviously I do not know Nathan as well as I do Ethan. Thank you for bringing Ethan back.
All the luck that the heavens allow moving forward & all of your future endeavors.
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N
The part that is annoying is a similar thing happened with Lucky. Was excited about his comeback then puff he is gone. 😭
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K
Horrible recast for Ethan! Yuck!!! Find someone who can actually do a convincing role for that part. That guy doesn’t do it at all.
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V
I already miss the original Ethan he's so sexy and that voice to go along with it. He was a great match with Maura West. And even having Emma Sam's as a mother they played great together. Please bring him DEAN back. WOOHOO HE'S SUCH A HUNK. AND I'M 64 LOL!!!
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F
I am with you girl!!!
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K
It sounds as if Nathan Dean committed to only a short time for personal reasons. I’m disappointed, but I’m willing to give the new guy a chance. It’s difficult (I imagine) to step into an existing role, especially if the character hasn’t been off-screen for a while.
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F
He's not even close to what kind of character that he is supposed to be though. He's too clean cut, and not slick enough for this role. They need more of a James Bond type guy!
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C
I’m so upset!!! Why is he gonna all of a sudden and the replacement he’s got to he’s not the right one, to replace Ethan. I’m devastated actually was really getting to know this guy watched an interview with him and I can relate to him in real life things that have happened. He’s really good for the show please come back Nathan
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#
I too am very disappointed in this casting change. While it would be difficult to replace the OG Ethan with anyone, this actor is a poor choice. Couldn't the casting crew at least have found someone with Ethan's accent?!
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C
After 2 days of watching the "recast" of Ethan, GH needs to recast the recast. He has zero chemistry with the character of Ava, and doesn't hold his own in scenes with her. I am smh as to how he is going to blend with the other power house characters of Sonny, Tracy, Jason, and Carly.
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F
The replacement actor should have been taller, with dark hair and a British accent. The new Nathan looks like Cody’s twin.
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D
I do not like this actor. Why he was chosen play Ethan is just out of touch. Ethan was Scorpio’s and Holly’s son and they are or were Australian. So for Dean to come back to and play that role was perfect. Tristan Roger’s was a great part of GH. Nathan Dean was and will always be the perfect Ethan. I know always comes first. So sometimes a man has to what a man has to do. We will miss him. This guy does not need to play Ethan. Please DON’T LET HIM PLAY ETHAN
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J
Ethan is Luke’s son, not Robert’s. They never should have brought Ethan back if Nathan couldn’t commit to long-term. The replacement guy is like 15 - 20 years too young! Sadly he does not have chemistry with Ava. I see no future chemistry with Sonny either, although Jason is back. You might as well have Ethan leave Port Charles again.
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L
So right.. the character Sasha is Robert and Holly’s child.
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H
I was wondering why the Playlist on YouTube stopped updating, it's just all of Nathan as Ethan - Jonathan Jackson & Nathan Dean are the only reasons I've jumped back into watching GH.