‘General Hospital’ spoilers reveal that Van Hansis, who played Lucas Jones on GH, recently opened up to Soap Opera Digest about his leading man, Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) exit. Hansis admits, “I was heartbroken.”
‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Hansis Wished He Had More Time Working With Anchondo
The actor lives in New York and commutes to Los Angeles for work on GH. After the soap resumed filming after their holiday break, Hansis flew back to L.A. when he received word on Anchondo’s upcoming departure.
Hansis told SOD, “Adrian had just texted me to let me know.” He shared,
“I was really, really sad. I was heartbroken. I was really sad for him, obviously, because nobody wants that kind of news.”
Van also expressed he wished had spent more time working with him, for his sake and for Anchondo,
“I wish he had more time to show different layers of the character, because even on soaps, when we’re working so much, a year isn’t a long time, and he’s such a talented actor.”
Hansis knows all about love stories ending too abruptly. Prior to joining General Hospital, Hansis played Luke Snyder on the now-defunct soap, As the World Turns.
Luke Snyder was the son of long-time fan-favorite and heroine, Lily Walsh Snyder (Martha Byrne). During Hansis’s run on ATWT, he had two major love interests.
The first was Noah Meyer (Jake Silbermann). Luke and Noah broke new ground as the first on-screen gay romantic kiss on a daytime drama.
After Noah and Luke broke up, his character found love again with Dr. Reid Oliver (Eric Sheffer Stevens), who was tragically killed off in 2010 in a car accident.
Hansis feels honored to be part of such important soap history and his ability to represent the gay community at a time when it was still relatively taboo.
‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Hansis Was Greatly Impressed with Anchondo’s Final Scenes
As a seasoned soap vet, Hansis admits that he “Totally understood the decision GH made to sacrifice Marco for dramatic consequences.”
Hansis shared,
“I had an inkling when Marco moved to Wyndemere that someone was going.” He confessed, “I didn’t know if it was Lucas, I didn’t know if it was Marco, I didn’t know if it was Sidwell, I didn’t know if it was Pascal, but I was like, ‘Someone living in that mansion is not gonna see too many more mornings!”
When Anchondo filmed his final scenes, Hansis was greatly impressed with his co-star’s performance. Hansis said, “Adrian was just incredible when Marco was lying on the ground, dying, and there was blood everywhere.”
Hansis was sitting in the make-up room with Kelly Thiebaud, who plays Britt Westbourne, and they could see everything on the monitor.
The actor commended Anchondo,
“Not only was it visceral and scary, and all that stuff, it was heartbreaking! He had no lines, yet everybody just stopped what they were doing to watch. He was so locked in and gorgeous.”
Hansis told Anchondo at the time,
“I know you didn’t even say anything, but next year, definitely put that in your Emmy reel! It was so sad that he left, but I honestly think that he’s leaving in a blaze of glory!”
Moving forward, Hansis will always be grateful that GH put Lucas and Marco together. For Lucas, there will be “no backing down in trying to get Marco the justice he deserves.”
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