NIKOLAS AND EMILY
TYLER | NATALIA

Royal Shocker
Soap Opera Digest
April 15, 2003

Coltin Scott Is Out and Tyler Christopher Is Back in as GH’s Prince Nikolas

In July, 1999, Tyler Christopher opted out of playing GH’s Nikolas and was immediately replaced by Coltin Scott. A year later, Christopher nixed the idea of a return to daytime, saying, “I think I can go ahead and close the book on it, regardless of what happens.” So, it was quite a surprise when Scott, in the middle of negotiations to renew his contract with GH, was abruptly replaced by his predecessor, Christopher. Here, both actors tell their stories.

Scott’s “Breakup” with GH

“I simply want to say that we were contradicting in offers and the timing wasn’t right,” states Coltin Scott. “But in terms of actually having to leave that cast, which I love — they’re my family ... it’s like going through a breakup. Time will cure the pain and the hurt, but I’m glad that Tyler’s coming back to keep the character alive because he was the original portrayer. I had a blast being there and I’ve made a lot of great friends. I’m going to miss it; it’s my home.”

Helping keep Scott philosophical about his exit, he says, are other career prospects on the horizon. “I think things happen for a reason. The timing was coming off a very powerful pilot season that I had. I tested for two pilots and things were great. Whether or not I book them, it’s the fact that it shows that I’m in the mix. So, I’d say that as far as timing goes, this might have been a godsend. I believe that positive things will come [along]. I’m looking forward to the future and being able to pursue other options and avenues that I’ve wanted to pursue, in terms of music, movies, and prime-time. Even another daytime show...”

Though he prefers not to name which other soaps he might be interested in, Scott notes, “There are a couple of places that I wouldn’t mind going. If the option happens, it’s something that I would definitely take into serious consideration. I love the medium. I love the process of work that we go through. I love being paid to go to acting class — that’s the way I look at it. It’s one of the best training grounds in the world. I’ve learned so much from GENERAL HOSPITAL.”

Especially from the show’s vets, he says. “The veterans on the show, like Tony Geary [Luke], Genie Francis [ex-Laura], Stephen Nichols [ex-Stefan], Jackie Zeman [Bobbie], John York [Mac] — these people have been my mentors. I said to Tony last night on the phone: ‘I have idolized you and you have been my mentor since I’ve been on the show and I want you to know that, because I’ve never expressed that to you. It’s been G-d’s gift to be able to stand next to you in a scene and work opposite you.’ I just wanted him and all the veterans on the show to know how much I respect and admire their talents, their work, and their drive for being there and their respect for the show — and the respect they’ve shown me. It’s been a great experience.”

As for who he’ll keep in touch with, Scott says, “Tony Geary ... Billy Warlock [A.J.] — we’re extremely close friends. Greg Vaughan [Lucky], Kin Shriner [Scott] ... John Ingle [Edward] is my surrogate father. I would also keep in touch with Brittney Powell [Summer]. Stuart Damon [Alan], I would love to keep in touch with. Wally [Kurth, Ned], I will absolutely keep in touch with. Ingo [Rademacher, Jax], I’m sure I’ll keep in touch with. Nancy [Lee Grahn, Alexis] is my neighbor, so I love her dearly, and John York. I’ve been blessed. And I just want to say to the fans: Keep your eyes and ears open because there’ll be some good things ahead.”

Scott is scheduled to last air on April 16.

Nik of Time: Christopher Returns

Just as Scott slips out of Nikolas’s shoes, the role’s originator, Tyler Christopher, puts them back on and is set to first air on April 21. “To be honest, it was a shock,” Christopher admits. “It happened quite fast. I didn’t know which way it was going to go, but all the chips seemed to fall in the right place at the right time. I took advantage of it, and here I am.”

Christopher played tortured Cassadine prince Nikolas from 1996-99 and has since appeared in prime-time and independent films. “I’m excited to see what new things I can bring to the character that weren’t present before,” he says. “I’ve grown in a lot of ways since then and hopefully I can bring that maturity to the character. We’re just trying to pick up right where [Scott] left off. The character has always been complex and multilayered. The work is laid out for me. I just have to recapture it.”

The actor acknowledges that while he had visited his former cast mates during his absence, returning to GH was “surreal and bittersweet. You never imagine when you leave someplace that you may be back. At least I didn’t. But the overall attitude around here seems to be up. The show’s doing well. They got some great actors in here over the last few years, so I’m excited to work with new people. That’s all I’ve received: reassurance and positive comments.”

Having married Eva Longoria (Isabella, YOUNG AND RESTLESS) in January, 2002, Christopher is also looking forward to being a member of a two-soap household. “This is going to allow us to do a lot of other things with our lives, now that we both know day to day what we’re doing,” he smiles. “We’re going to be able to finally enjoy our lives together without the craziness of running around going from job to job.”

As for what viewers can expect, he hedges, “I honestly don’t know. I started watching [GH] again, but I really haven’t re-absorbed it yet. But I don’t think I’ll need to. I’ve been here before. I have rapport with the people. I know the character. It’s not like I’m jumping into something new. I think it will be a smooth transition back into the character.”