Nikolas Cassadine

**Prince Nikolas Mikail Stavrosovich Cassadine** is a fictional character on *General Hospital*. He is the son of the late, Prince Stavros Cassadine and Mayor Laura Collins.

## Development

* Casting
* Characterization

The role was originated by Tyler Christopher on July 15, 1996. In 1998, he received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series. In June 1999, it was reported that Christopher had opted to leave the series in order to pursue primetime opportunities. Christopher's last appearance was July 15, 1999.

An unknown baby played Nikolas in a flashback when Laura had baby Nikolas while being held hostage by Stavros in Twist of Fate in 1996.

Chase Parker portrayed a young Nikolas in 1998.

In 1999, the role was recast with Stephen Martines, known under the stage name Coltin Scott. In 2003, news broke that Martines and the producers were unable to reach an agreement on the financial aspects of the actor's contract. "Coltin, of course, is very upset at the turn of events," read a message on the actor's official web site.

Following Martines' departure, it was announced that the original actor, Christopher, would reprise the role of Nikolas. "The original actor became available, and it was an opportunity we didn't want to pass up," said then executive producer Jill Farren Phelps. "Coltin has done a great job and we wish him all the best."

In 2005, Tyler underwent surgery to repair a broken arm, and the role was temporarily recast with Chris Beetem starting on December 6 and lasting about five episodes.

Tyler again received Daytime Emmy nominations in 2005 and 2006, for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

On March 15, 2011; it was reported that Christopher had been let go from *General Hospital*. "I was told that I would not be signing another contract. I didn't see it coming," said Christopher. He made his onscreen exit on June 30, 2011.

Christopher returned for three episodes in late July 2011 (July 26-28), under new head writer Garin Wolf. Following a nearly two-year absence, Christopher reprised the role in a recurring status on March 22, 2013.

On June 19, 2013; it was announced that Christopher had signed a long-term contract to remain with the series.

Christopher brought home his first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2016.

On May 25, 2016; *Soap Opera Digest* broke the news that Nick Stabile would temporarily take over as Nikolas and would probably start airing sometime in June. Stabile is previously known for his role on *Sunset Beach* as Mark Wolper. He also pinch hit for *Passions* Justin Hartley as Fox Crane (now Y&R's Adam) when he was on paternity leave from August-September 2004. Sources have stated that due to lengthy contract negotiations, Christopher has asked for some time off for personal reasons. It was also said that this recast is viewed as a short-term situation by all concerned. Stabile made his first appearance on June 17, 2016 and his last appearance on July 19, 2016.

Christopher made his last appearance on June 16, 2016. On July 29, Christopher took to Twitter to clarify what he said during *General Hospital* Fan Club weekend 2016 about his return, stating that he thinks he will return in September but nothing is official yet. Whether or not he will be taping scenes in September or if he will be back on screen by then is still unknown as well.

On September 14, 2016; *Soap Opera Digest* confirmed that Christopher would not return to GH after his contract negotiations crumbled in August and later replaced by Jack Dylan Grazer and Scarlett Fernandez as his onscreen cousins Donald and Charlotte Cassadine.

On October 31, 2019; the role was recast with Marcus Coloma when Nikolas was revealed to be alive three years later. Coloma's casting was a surprise due to there being no prior announcement from the network. Coloma is included in the "Cast" page on ABC's official General Hospital website. Only contract cast members are included on this page.

On September 27, 2021; it was revealed that actor Adam Huss will temporarily fill in for Marcus Coloma for one episode. Huss appeared as Nikolas on September 29, 2021.

Coloma returned as Nikolas on September 30, 2021.

Huss returned as Nikolas from November 14 to November 17, 2022.

On November 15, 2022; Tyler Christopher said on his Instagram story that he is available as Nikolas if Coloma needs a day off. That same day, Coloma confirmed on Twitter that he'll be back as Nikolas during the week of November 21. Due to the Thanksgiving preemption, his return was pushed back a week.

Coloma returned as Nikolas on November 28, 2022.

On December 19, 2022; multiple reports confirmed that Coloma would be exiting *GH* and it was rumored that he refused to film his final scenes after learning that he'd been let go. However, the rumors turned out to be false.

On December 28, 2022; a spokesperson for Coloma revealed that the reason why Coloma didn't finish his final scenes was because of recent health issues from COVID-19 and that he enjoyed his time on *GH*. It was also revealed that Coloma's three-year contract was up in the fall. He made his final appearance on January 26, 2023.

On January 22, 2023; it was revealed that Huss will return to *GH* as Nikolas in February. Huss returned as Nikolas from January 31 to February 8, 2023; although he was seen at the end of the episode on March 1, 2023.

Huss returned as Nikolas on August 31, 2023. He left again on September 15, 2023. He returned again on September 29, 2023 before being replaced by his onscreen uncles James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine, Jeff Kober as Cyrus Renault, and onscreen cousins Jack Dylan Grazer as Donald Cassadine and Scarlett Fernandez as Charlotte Cassadine once again.

On October 31, 2023; Maurice Benard revealed that Tyler Christopher passed away.

Huss returned as Nikolas from January 3-16, 2024 before being replaced by James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine, Jeff Kober as Cyrus Renault, Jack Dylan Grazer as Donald Cassadine, and Scarlett Fernandez as Charlotte Cassadine once more.
## Storylines

* 1996-2007
* 2008-11
* 2013-14
* 2015-16
* 2019
* 2020-21
* 2022-23

On July 16, 2019, Ava asked a professional psychic to try and make contact with Nikolas, wanting to make amends for preventing Valentin from going to prison for Nikolas' murder. However, the psychic's attempts prove unsuccessful and she reveals that Nikolas is not in the spirit world, meaning that he may not be dead.

On August 13, another psychic named Chelsea Lambas warned Laura that her son was in danger and Laura got worried and called Lucky, who was still in Africa. After Lucky assured Laura he was fine, Laura accused Chelsea of being a fraud, but Chelsea said she was referring to her other son, which seems to be another hint that Nikolas could be alive nearly a month later after Margaux Dawson resigned as district attorney of Port Charles and left town.

On October 31, Halloween, 2019; Nikolas was revealed to be alive and was the one who was watching Ava after he had been replaced by his own niece/cousin Charlotte. He was also the mysterious Cassadine ring man who kidnapped Cassandra Pierce from August 2018 after Carly's escape from Ferncliff with the help of Jason and Franco because of Mary Pat Ingles, Rupert Watson, and Kurt Lazarus. He appeared as a masked man at the Metro Court Halloween Party and after running into Laura, Nikolas followed Ava to her gallery, prompting Ava to draw her gun on him and force him to reveal his face. Nikolas then revealed his face to shock Ava.
On June 4, Nikolas was happy that his uncle Cyrus was arrested for holding Portia Robinson and her daughter Trina hostage in their home along with many other crimes against the citizen of Port Charles. He later got to meet Cyrus' children and his cousins Andrew and Liz as well as Elisha Adams and Ellen Scully.

On March 1, however; Nikolas' body was revealed to be missing from the tack room she and Austin put him in because Austin's cousin, Mason Gatlin was seen watching over a comatose Nikolas in a medical facility on life support and he was later replaced by his uncle Valentin, his children and Nikolas' cousins Donald and Charlotte, and his father and Nikolas' great uncle Victor.

On August 31; Nikolas is shown be awake and able, and hiding out at Austin Gatlin-Holt's Country House in Pautauk, New York after the death and will reading of his great uncle Victor with the help of J.B. Brown who is friends with Judges Albert Kim and Ron Jarrett in and out of the courtroom.

On September 29; Nikolas is in Europe and was last seen before being since replaced by his uncles Valentin and Cyrus and his cousins Donald and Charlotte.

On October 13, his uncle Cyrus is released from prison.
## Crimes Committed

* Kidnapped Anna Devane and then Hamilton Finn with the help of Michael Carson and Shawn Phillips in revenge for former Ferncliff staff members Mary Pat Ingles, Rupert Watson, and Kurt Lasaris [Jun-Aug 24, 2018; offscreen and revealed over a year later on Nov 6, 2019]
* Kidnapped Cassandra Pierce [Aug 24, 2018-Jul 31, 2019; revealed Halloween, Oct 31, 2019 after Cassandra escaped]
* Helped Cassandra escape from prison without his own son Spencer knowing [Nov 7, 2019]
* Assaulted his uncle Cyrus Renault and pinned him against a door [Apr 5, 2021]
* Tried to line up a shot on his uncle Cyrus [May 27, 2021]
* Assaulted one of his uncle Cyrus' men and women in self-defense [May 28, 2021]
* Threatened to kidnap Avery Jerome-Corinthos for his great uncle Victor Cassadine [Feb 6-7, 2023]
* Fugitive; being hunted by the P.C.P.D. [Feb 28, 2023-present]

## Health and Vitals

* Cursed under the spirit of his grandmother Helena Cassadine [Feb 19, 2016; shown from Feb 23-24, 2016]
* Presumed dead after being shot in the chest by Valentin and falling off a balcony and later replaced by Valentin and his own children Donald and Charlotte Cassadine three months later one month after the death of Sabrina Santiago [Jul 19, 2016; Nikolas was revealed to be presumed dead on Jul 22, 2016; Nikolas was revealed to be alive on Oct 31, 2019]
* Blackmailed by Cassandra Pierce into helping her get out of prison [Sep 19-Nov 7, 2019; revealed Nov 6, 2019; Cassandra's female counterpart Cyrus returned the favor over a year later]
* Blackmailed by his uncle Cyrus Renault into retrieving Florence Grey or else Alexis Davis would get hurt as Cyrus returned the favor to the late Cassandra Pierce [Apr 6-20, 2021]
* Threatened by his uncle Cyrus for privatizing Pentonville [May 19, 2021]
* Held hostage by his uncle Cyrus' men and women [May 27-28, 2021]
* Presumed dead after being hit on the head with a statue by Ava [Feb 6-7, 2023; Nikolas was revealed to be alive on Mar 1, 2023]
* Had his body put in a closet in the stables by Ava [Feb 7, 2023; Nikolas' body was revealed to be missing on Mar 1, 2023]
* Kidnapped and held hostage by Mason Gatlin while on life support and replaced back by his uncle Valentin Cassadine and his own children Donald and Charlotte Cassadine before and after the death and will reading of Victor Cassadine [revealed Mar 1, 2023-pre-Aug 31, 2023]

## Relationships

* Family
* Friends
* Enemies

* Scout Cain - Nikolas' cousin/step-great niece
* Charlotte Cassadine - Nikolas' niece/cousin
* Donald Cassadine - Nikolas' cousin
* Helena Cassadine - Nikolas' grandmother (deceased)
* Spencer Cassadine - Nikolas' son with Courtney
* Stavros Cassadine - Nikolas' biological father (deceased)
* Tony Cassadine - Nikolas great uncle (deceased)
* Valentin Cassadine - Nikolas' uncle
* Victor Cassadine - Nikolas' great uncle (deceased)
* Ryan Chamberlain - Nikolas' uncle by marriage of Kevin and Laura (deceased)
* Laura Collins - Nikolas' mother
* Kevin Collins - Nikolas' stepfather
* Alexis Davis - Nikolas' aunt
* Kristina Davis - Nikolas' cousin
* Rocco Falconeri - Nikolas' nephew
* Andrew Grey - Nikolas' maternal cousin
* Florence Grey - Nikolas' maternal step-grandmother
* Gordon Grey - Nikolas' maternal grandfather (deceased)
* Liz Grey - Nikolas' maternal cousin
* Martin Grey - Nikolas' maternal uncle
* Courtney Matthews - Nikolas' widow (deceased)
* Sam McCall - Nikolas' cousin
* Danny Morgan - Nikolas' cousin/step-great nephew
* Esme Prince - Nikolas' stepcousin
* Ace Prince-Cassadine - Nikolas' son with Esme
* Cyrus Renault - Nikolas' maternal uncle
* Jake Spencer - Nikolas' godson, Elizabeth's son with Jason, and his niece/cousin Charlotte's boyfriend
* Lucky Spencer - Nikolas' maternal half-brother
* Lulu Spencer - Nikolas' maternal half-sister (hospitalized)

* Bernie Abrahms - (deceased)
* Elisha Adams - Officer of the Port Charles Police Department
* Haley Adams
* Leah Adams
* Franco Baldwin - His former wife Hayden's male counterpart/brother-in-law, his godson Jake's stepfather, and Violet's uncle (deceased)
* Scott Baldwin - Former District Attorney and his godson Jake's step-grandfather
* Hayden Barnes - Nikolas' ex-wife, Violet's mother, and Franco's female counterpart/sister-in-law
* Gerald Brodin - Captain of the S.W.A.T. team
* Shawn Butler - Now in San Francisco
* Naomi Carson - Nikolas' new friend and former court judge
* Harrison Chase
* Amber Chua
* Mike Corbin - (deceased)
* Patrick Drake - Now living in Berkeley
* Naomi Dreyfus - Nikolas' former mother-in-law and Scott's female counterpart (deceased)
* Dante Falconeri - Nikolas' ex-brother-in-law
* Pres Floyd - Former Mayor of Port Charles
* Russell Ford - Former Chief of Staff at General Hospital (deceased)
* Mallory Gentry
* Ray Giles - (deceased)
* Audrey Hardy - Former General Hospital Head Nurse
* Paul Hornsby - Former District Attorney (imprisoned)
* James Horowitz - Court judge
* Anthony Howard - Nikolas' African-American associate
* Epiphany Johnson - Former Head Nurse at General Hospital (deceased)
* Paul Kelly
* Ric Lansing - Nikolas' ex-uncle, former District Attorney, Sonny's maternal half-brother, and Robin and Sonny's attorney
* Janice Lomax - Obrecht's political counterpart; his uncle Valentin, cousin Donald, and niece/cousin Charlotte's friend and supporter; former Mayor of Port Charles, and Ned's predecessor
* Shane McAvoy
* Dean Murdock
* Jeffrey Nash
* Delores Padilla
* A.J. Quartermaine - Nikolas' ex-brother-in-law (deceased)
* Alan Quartermaine - Former Chief of Staff at General Hospital (deceased)
* Dillon Quartermaine
* Emily Quartermaine - Nikolas' ex-wife (deceased)
* Monica Quartermaine - Former General Hospital Chief of Staff
* Ned Quartermaine - Former Mayor of Port Charles, Janice's successor, and his mother Laura's predecessor
* Tracy Quartermaine
* Zoe Raleigh
* Portia Robinson
* Trina Robinson
* Sabrina Santiago - (deceased)
* James Scorpio - Detective of the Port Charles Police Department
* Mac Scorpio - Current Commissioner and former Chief of Detectives of the Port Charles Police Department
* Robin Scorpio-Drake - Now in living in Berkeley
* Ellen Scully - Officer of the Port Charles Police Department
* Hank Smith
* David Walters
* Mary Wells - Current Head Nurse at General Hospital
* Lainey Winters

* Diego Alcazar - (deceased)
* Lorenzo Alcazar - (deceased)
* Luis Alcazar - (deceased)
* Mark Ambrose - His late great uncle Victor's henchman
* Johann Bauer - His late great uncle Victor's henchman and Esme's male counterpart/bodyguard
* Trent Beech - His late uncle Cyrus' henchman (deceased)
* Nelle Benson - Peter's male counterpart, Heather's younger counterpart, and Olivia Jerome's former sister-in-law (deceased)
* David Boyd - His late great uncle Victor's African-American henchman
* Linc Brown - Music producer and his uncle Cyrus and his late great uncle Victor's friend (captured)
* Hector Carradine - (deceased)
* Gavin Crawford - His late great uncle Victor's African-American henchman (deceased)
* Jane Edwards - His late great uncle Victor's henchwoman and his son Ace's villainous nanny (deceased)
* Cesar Faison - (deceased)
* Sonny Faison - Faison's son with an unknown woman
* Keith Fletcher - His late great uncle Victor's henchman
* Brock Garrison - His late uncle Cyrus' henchman (deceased)
* Mason Gatlin - His uncle Cyrus' henchman (imprisoned)
* David Hadley - His late great uncle Victor's henchman
* Peter Harrell, Jr. - aka Levi Dunkleman (deceased)
* Mark Hay - His late great uncle Victor's henchman
* Theo Hoffman - aka the Balkan (deceased)
* The Hook - Serial killer whose face and identity are concealed and is revealed to be Esme's biological mother and his son Ace's maternal grandmother Heather Webber (captured)
* Jerry Jacks
* Gabriel Jenkins - His uncle Cyrus' henchman
* Thomas Johnson - Cassandra's former henchman, Epiphany's ex-husband, and Stan's father
* Renee Laveque - His late great uncle Victor's henchwoman (deceased)
* Elmer Lewis - His late great uncle Victor's henchman
* Jeffrey Maloney - His uncle Cyrus' African-American henchman (deceased)
* Stephen Ordway - Cassandra's former henchman
* Cassandra Pierce - His uncle Cyrus' female counterpart (presumed deceased)
* Carl Pine - His uncle Cyrus' African-American henchman (deceased)
* Tobias Richard - His late great uncle Victor's henchman
* Carlos Rivera - (deceased)
* Jeffrey Scribner - (deceased)
* Joe Scully, Jr. - (deceased)
* Franco Walker - His uncle Cyrus' henchman/associate/enforcer (deceased)
* Bill Watkins - His late great uncle Victor's henchman
* Heather Webber - aka "The Hook", Esme's biological mother, his godson Jake's step-grandmother, and his son Ace's maternal grandmother (imprisoned)
* Anthony Zacchara - (deceased)
* Johnny Zacchara - (imprisoned)