General Hospital newcomer Jonathan Bennett has been a lot of things to a lot of audiences: a rom-com favorite, a Hallmark fixture, a reality host, and yes, the guy many still instinctively recall as Aaron Samuels from Mean Girls. But before all that, he came up through daytime, and that experience never left him. Now that he’s heading to Port Charles as Joe Fitzpatrick, the way he talks about it, this is less stunt casting than a return to an old muscle memory he never forgot.
General Hospital’s Jonathan Bennett on his soap return
Speaking to People, Bennett made the angle plain. “I started my career on soaps, and when the opportunity to go and play a really fun character on General Hospital came up, it felt like a no-brainer,” he said, adding, “I learned how to act on daytime television when I was 19 years old. Now I’m coming back, but I have a few more tools in my tool belt, so this should be fun!”
And honestly, that “more tools” suggested he’s not returning to revisit youth, but to bring back experience. After years of working in film, hosting, producing, and carrying projects, he’s not stepping into Port Charles as a novice.
Executive producer Frank Valentini commented, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast…He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to GH.” This could indicate that the role of Joe isn’t just a cameo, but could be something more.
Why this homecoming could be more than nostalgia
Part of what makes this exciting for fans is that Bennett’s soap roots are fondly remembered. He played JR on All My Children before much of the audience knew him elsewhere, so he’s got an impressive soap resume.
There is also the possibility that someone with Bennett’s natural charm arrives looking disarming and turns out to be anything but simple. Soap loves that trick. Maybe Joe is an ally. Maybe he’s trouble in expensive suits. Perhaps he’ll be both by sweeps week. The point is, Bennett is totally up for the speed and chaos involved in producing a daytime serial, which is half the battle.
Some of Bennett’s more recent projects include The Groomsmen trilogy on Hallmark, in which he plays the character Danny. He also created and produced Finding Mr. Christmas, a reality competition show.
And perhaps that is why “coming home” rings true. It sounds like he’s worked hard and earned a place in the fans’ hearts. Sometimes a return is really a loop closing. Sometimes it is a door opening. In Port Charles, it can be both.
Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital on ABC and Hulu.
Edited by Hope Campbell