As previously reported, this year's Outstanding Lead Actor Daytime Emmy winner Tyler Christopher (Nikolas Cassadine) will soon be off-screen at General Hospital. His character, however, isn't going anywhere. The show has tapped soap alum Nick Stabile (ex-Mark, Sunset Beach) to take over for Christopher.
In a Twitter posting that has since been deleted, Stabile wrote "Watch for Nick Stabile on #GeneralHospital, starting next week."
It is unknown exactly how long Christopher will be off-screen. The actor's exit came amid drawn-out and reportedly contentious contract talks. Despite that, Daytime Confidential reported last month that both ABC and Christopher expected the off-screen time to be limited.
ABC confirmed Christopher's exit, but the show has not yet confirmed how long Christopher will be offscreen. We're also told by setside sources that -- at least for now -- Stabile's presence will be treated like an elephant in the room. No photos or publicity stills are slated to be released of Stabile as Nikolas.
Christopher has been inactive on Twitter since May 13.
Christopher originated the role of Nikolas Cassadine in 1996. Three years later, he exited GH, and Stephen Martines (then known as Coltin Scott) took over. Christopher returned in April 2003 and once again exited when he was let go in 2011. Christopher returned full-time to GH in 2013.
Stabile has been a go-to guy once before. He filled in for Justin Hartley (ex-Fox Crane, Passions; now Adam Newman, The Young and the Restless) when Hartley was on paternity leave from Passions.
What is your reaction to Christopher exiting GH? Are you concerned? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
