Nicholas Alexander Chavez Reportedly Departs 'General Hospital' Amid Cast Changes

General Hospital is experiencing another change in its cast as Nicholas Alexander Chavez is said to not be coming back to play Spencer Cassadine.

Earlier this year, the actor took a break from the soap to portray Lyle Menéndez in Ryan Murphy’s new project, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Initially referred to as a temporary absence, it seems Chavez's departure may now be more permanent.

TV Line reported on Thursday, April 25, that Chavez has left the show, with ABC choosing not to comment. Fans noticed in late March that Chavez's name was no longer in the opening credits of the show. His final episode aired on January 31, leaving viewers with a major cliffhanger about Spencer's fate. It is possible that another actor may step into the role, as is common in soap operas.

Chavez first appeared on General Hospital as Spencer Cassadine in 2021. The following year, he won a Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series for his portrayal of the character.

"I told People in July 2023 that General Hospital has allowed me to carve out my own path. Not only that, but it has also given me a rare opportunity that many people dream of - the chance to make a living by pursuing my passion every day. If I'm not the luckiest person in the world, then I must be pretty close."

Another ‘General Hospital’ Cast Shake-Up Reportedly Has Nicholas Alexander Chavez Leaving the Soap

Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez were featured on the show 'General Hospital.' ABC/Craig Sjodin

The departure of Chavez from the soap is part of a series of changes in the cast that began in November 2023, when Roger Howarth left the show as Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt. In the following month, Eden McCoy also scaled back her role as Josslyn Jacks after her mother passed away.

Both Kirsten Storms and Kelly Monaco took short breaks from the show before the end of 2023. While some actors had left the series, one return surprised fans. Steve Burton, who plays Jason Morgan, left Port Charles in 2020 but made a comeback during the March 4 episode.

Guess what? I’m back on the set and we’re about to start shooting,” Burton, who is 53 years old, shared in a video on the “Daily Drama” podcast’s YouTube page in February. “I had a chat with the head writers and let me tell you, this story is going to be amazing. It’s going to be epic.”

He continued: “So, make sure you don’t miss out on any episodes because everything will start falling into place when I make my comeback. Stay tuned. Keep watching. And if you’ve stopped, start again because it’s going to be incredible.”

Editor's P/S:

The departure of Nicholas Alexander Chavez from the cast of "General Hospital" marks a significant shift in the long-running soap opera. Chavez's portrayal of Spencer Cassadine earned him a Daytime Emmy Award, and his absence leaves a void that may be difficult to fill. The actor's departure is part of a larger trend of cast changes in recent months, with other notable departures and returns.

While the reasons behind Chavez's decision to leave "General Hospital" remain unclear, his statement about the show's impact on his career suggests that it was a difficult choice. Fans will likely be eager to learn more about the circumstances surrounding his exit and whether another actor will be cast in the role of Spencer. In the meantime, the show's writers face the challenge of addressing Chavez's departure and continuing the storyline without compromising the character's importance.