How did Lucas Jones return to General Hospital? Explained

Lucas Jones is back in Port Charles' circle, as General Hospital recasts the character. He is one of the longtime characters on the soap who is known to make intermittent appearances. The character has been 0reviously played by numerous actors. The list also includes Ryan Carnes, who was last seen in January 2024. Lucas is currently being played by Van Hansis, who debuted in the role on October 4, 2024.

General Hospital is one of the longest-running American soaps on ABC, airing since 1963. It revolves around the titular hospital, set in the fictional Port Charles city. Lucas Jones was introduced with his birth in 1989 and was portrayed by many child actors after that.

While Ryan Carnes is the actor who played Lucas for the longest time, starting in 2004 till 2024, he was replaced intermittently by Ben Hogestyn and Matt Trudeau. His tempestuous teen years and coming out as gay make for important story arcs on the soap. His marriage to Brad, their adoption fiasco and eventual divorce was a significant aspect of Lucas's history on General Hospital.

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General Hospital: Lucas Jones returned to Port Charles

Van Hansis will need to portray the sensitive side of Lucas on the soap (Image via Instagram/@van.hansis)

General Hospital episode dated October 4, 2024, found a recast Lucas Jones back in town, as Van Hansis's Lucas walked into Carly's home. He announced that he applied for a vacant position of a trauma surgeon at the hospital and was glad to get started.

Lucas believed that the job opening was a way of the universe to guide him back home. The audience also learned that he was working hard in Boston and missed his family.

As he discussed with Carly about getting back with Sonny and the Ava-Kristina events, he made it clear that he was updated about the latest happenings in his hometown, thanks to Joss.

Later, Lucas went to General Hospital for his paperwork where he met a delighted Terry. However, when he went to the lab, he found Brad Cooper at work. Unaware of Lucas's return and the news of him rejoining the hospital, Brad was both taken aback and apologetic about the past.

However, Lucas informed Brad that he had no ill feelings in his heart about the baby switch episode. He understood that Brad entered a nightmare and Lucas got sucked into it. As such, he had no intention of repeating incidents of the past and promised to only interact with Brad about work, thus maintaining professional boundaries.

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What would be Lucas's future on General Hospital?

Van Hansis has just landed in Port Charles as Lucas. However, his first meeting with former husband, Brad, was controlled. Whether they can maintain strict professionalism in their daily interaction in the hospital remains to be seen.

Moreover, there is a pending meeting with Wiley, which may happen soon. As Lucas told Carly, he has informed Michael and Willow about his arrival in town. Eventually, they will face each other.

Lucas will also visit his mother, Bobbie Spencer's grave. He had come to town for her funeral but will be missing her presence, now that he is back home.

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Watch out for Hansis as the newly enlisted Lucas, on General Hospital on weekdays.