Nicholas Alexander Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital as Spencer (Exclusive)
Nicholas Alexander Chavez‘ leave of absence from General Hospital has gone from temporary to permanent.
Although there’s been no official confirmation from GH, multiple sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that the actor behind Spencer Cassadine — who vacated the role earlier this year to shoot Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s Netflix anthology Monster — will not be returning to the ABC soap after all.
Chavez’ indefinite departure was hinted at in late March when, as eagle-eyed GH fans noticed, his name abruptly disappeared from the show’s closing credits.
A GH spokesperson declined to comment for this story. A rep for Chavez has not responded to TVLine’s request for comment.
When Chavez’ Monster gig was first announced last summer, an GH rep noted at the time, “We support Nicholas’s endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
Chavez, who began shooting Monster in December, exited GH in late January. In his final episode, Spencer was presumed to have died alongside his ex Esme after being injected with a drug and falling off a boat into France’s Seine River.
Chavez joined GH in 2021. He won a Daytime Emmy the following year for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series.
“It’s changed everything about me,” Chavez previously told People.com of the impact GH has had on his career. “Before the show, I was selling cars in Florida. I live across the country now. I was driving my dad’s old Jeep and now, I’m sitting in a car that I paid for. This show has given me the opportunity to become my own guy. It’s also given me the gift few people get in life — the privilege to earn an income doing what I love to do every single day. If I’m not the luckiest guy in the world, I’ve got to be damned close.”
Some had likened Chavez’ onscreen romance with Tabyana Ali’s Trina to GH super couple Luke and Laura, a comparison actor called “the greatest compliment we could ever get.”
In Season 2 of Monster — officially titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story — Chavez will play Lyle Menéndez opposite relative newcomer Cooper Koch (as brother Erik). Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny round out the cast as the murdered parents, Jose and Kitty Menéndez.
I knew it. This kid is going places, he’s very talented.
Well, that’s disappointing but not surprising. He’s very talented. Just wish we had more time with him on GH. He was so good! But he wasn’t given much to do in his last few months on the show & his most powerful work was with Esme & Nicholas who are both gone now. Wish him well! I’ll definitely be following his career.
His most powerful work was with Trina because as a couple they were fire and had plenty of fans rooting for them.
I respectfully disagree. His most powerful work was scenes with is father Nikolas and grandmother–soap royalty Genie Francis. Did you see the chapel scenes last year where he blackmailed his father? He put on an acting clinic.
I never thought he has the same level of chemistry with the Trina recast as he did with the actress who vacated the role.
You have a right to your opinion but for me his best work was with Trina.
Part of his incredible acting abilities is,whoever he’s playing opposite of,he nails it every time. Obviously he’s easy on the eyes but that can only take someone so far. The reason he’s got an amazing career ahead of him is because he’s the whole pkg. His relationship with both Trina’s was seamless and natural,they’re both amazing actors too. I think they made GH history. I actually loved Trina with Cam too and was really not happy when they sank that ship before it sailed but,they did make up for it with Spencer eventually. I still,kinda think Cam would’ve been a better choice :).
His best work was with Trina, I agree
I agree everyone has a right to their opinions. In my 79 years, I’ve seen a lot, and my opinion is that Trina and Spenser weren’t even in the same building as Laura and Luke. Spenser is a great actor, but Trina should go to acting school. She “sucks”
Well, Luke r#ped Laura so you’re right about Spenser and Trina not being in the same “building”. I know the actress playing Trina is a great actress because I enjoy watching her.
Spencer and Trina were in a building of their own, and weren’t trying emulate Luke and Laura or anyone else. Bennierita Hebert, you are a very rude 79 year old crow, and your opinion “sucks”.
I highly agree. He and Trina had Chemistry! Will truly miss the two!!
I agree
No! He has to stay. He is the other shoe to Trina, if you will. Spencer and Trina are the “New” Luke and Laura 💕 Nicholas please stay. A new Spencer or Trina won’t be the same.
So happy for you if you choose another path, you very much have earned it and deserve it, but my heart will be broken. 💔 It will be another pair of shoes that’s not a pair!
Best of luck.
I agree. I wasn’t a fan of Spencer & Trina. Found them pretty dull. Now Spencer & Esme, their scenes were amazing. Esme was also a great actress! But yes, he was also fantastic in scenes with Nicolas, Laura & even Ava.
I totally agree. The relationship was forced. It was first forced by the Writers and then some fans that said they saw sparks. There were sparks with the former Trina, but no spark with new Trina.
Chavez never had a chance to work with the original Trina; only Tabiana Ali and I thought that they were flawless together. As much as I hate that he won’t be returning to GH as Spencer he is wished the best in his continuing career.
That is not true at all! His very first week was almost entirely working with Sydney Mikayla. She didn’t leave until about 8 months into his tenure…after Esme had drugged Trina and posted the video. Tabyana’s first scenes were of Trina getting arrested.
I point this out because when he first started, people complained that he wasn’t Nicolas Bechtel🙄. However, I was legitimately amazed that NAC managed to bring out SM’s flirty side. The writers tried with both Cam and Dev, but she never exuded that romantic spark. After a week and a half of two-handers in hallways, trees, park blankets and docks…NAC pretty much won over half of the cynics😂!
You are mistaken. NAC joined the show July 2021. Sydney vacated the role March 2022. They worked together for 8 months
I love the newest Trina and I think they have great chemistry. I fast forwarded through scenes with the old Trina
Unless you saw the reels that NAC submitted for his Younger Performer win and the reel for his supporting actor nomination, “his most powerful work” is just your opinion. This is especially true if you don’t know how many “Sprina” clips were included in each reel, and whether there was a more emphasis on SM’s Trina for his first win.
I’m sorry but I don’t think Trina is that good of an actress.. and comparing them to Luke and Laura is a HUGE stretch.. I am the age that I witnessed Luke and Laura through the years and feel there is no comparison.. Chavez is great, but Ali not so much.
Thank you for being truthful! That was his best work with Trina. I really wanted to see it play out with those two. Yes he was handsome which made it even better!!!
So sad to see him leave. Will his part be coming back as alive . Hope so.
Sad to see him go, but not surprised. He’s too good to remain on GH.
Not a surprise but I hate that he won’t be back. I hope they don’t bring Spencer back for a long time. Anyone cast in this role now would be facing a tough battle to win over fans.
How about the original Spencer?
Nowadays only older actors hang on to their soap roles for decade after decade – options elsewhere are very limited for them. NAC is extremely talented and wildly popular so it would be an error in judgment careerwise for him not to spread his wings given this wonderful opportunity with even more possibilities sure to follow (especially if the Ryan Murphy universe takes a liking to him!)
That’s what I think ended up happening, he’ll probably get cast in other Ryan Murphy productions.
You just ruined my day. I love that kid. So talented. They would’ve given him the time he needed to do any projects he wanted. He’s Hollywood material. Good luck to him.
There’s a mistake in the article. In the last paragraph it says that both actors are playing Lyle.
Error has been fixed.
NAC is extremely talented and wildly popular so it would be an error in judgment careerwise for him not to spread his wings given this wonderful opportunity with even more possibilities sure to follow (especially if the Ryan Murphy universe takes a liking to him!)
Apologize for double posting – error message informed me first comment failed so I reposted. 🫠
Happens to me all the time 🌹
I’m 😢 As much as Spencer was an entitled snob, they really caught lightning in a bottle with NAC. For this to be his first onscreen gig—he was a natural and proved to be immensely talented and equally charismatic! The recast will have HUGE shoes to fill.
That being said. NAC has tremendous possibilities in front of him. I wish him well and definitely will be following his career/projects!
He’s on to bigger and better things! 👏🏾 🎉
Spencer and Trina made a very nice couple
Kinda assumed he was gone for good today when Laura said Nicholas was being shipped to an out-of-state prison. No need for Spencer’s father if they’re not going to have Spencer. Maybe down the road they can recast, but it needs to be way down the road because Chavez left huge shoes to fill.
We will miss you a lot but are glad for your success.
I’m so upset to see you go. Your romance with Trina really hyped up and we loved it. Then you die( supposedly) then you leave? You were great as Spencer now we’re all bummed your not here anymore. But good luck in your future endeavors 💕🤗
Sorry to see him go
But if it’s a good opportunity to get ahead, he deserves it
He’s a great actor in my opinion
Luck to you always
Please recast Spencer
Bring back Nicolas Bechtel!
Did he have his growth spurt yet?
It will happen eventually of course. No rush at the moment though. Given the mind-numbingly insane direction of the writing on GH the last 2 months, all they would have a new Spencer doing right now is hating his uncle Sonny for no good reason, like his grandmother Laura suddenly does.
If this keeps up, there won’t be a GH for any version of Spencer to come back to.
Is it out of the realm of acceptable retorts to say I love your forkin’ rules and so does my sister in laws underpaid coworker ! ( thanks 4 the giggle)
We liked the romance bring HIM BACK !’!!!!!!!!!’n
That’s not what I wanted to hear 😞.He was so good for the show…I will definitely miss him.
So truly sadden by the fact that he’s not returning to GH. Was looking forward to his return to Trina..
Hes young as should do in life that makes him happy, though I prefer the other petty Spencer, General hospital’s casting is ridiculous because the people that don’t need to be on the show Yet stay on for years and years like, for instance, nina Reeves character, so tired of her Story line and why would you Her and Carly’s ex . Have stupid sex on the floor of his office ridiculous. And so over her story line, I get nauseated every time I see her on the screen, Mack has been gone for a very long time.When you guys just gonna write his character off.I know that he’s not feeling good and’s been ill, And how long do we have to wait for the reunion Slash secret of him and his son,you bring the
Character Todd from one like to live on the show. He dies once bring him back as another character. He dies again you brings him back. Now He’s off the show, Trina’s mother on the show tired of her. There’s so many more but I won’t let this be a long endless post.It’s just that those of us who’ve been watching general hospital for a very long time.The show is getting quite boring. #demeirjonez
I totally agree, I can’t stant Nina and Portia. They are ridiculous with their story lines. Nausea definitely cones to mind watching either of them. I loved Spencer, sad to see him go.
Get another actor to play Spencer
Nooooooooo! He is Spencer
I am done
Nope! Nicolas Bechtel was Spencer!
I liked the first Spencer, too, but I don’t see him and Trina as a couple.
Try out the old Spencer Cassadine.Bring him back to the fold. I think it would be a hoot for him to be put back with all the people he grew up with.So much history to fall back on.l would absolutely love it
He still looks really young compared to Joss, Trina and Cam. The actor is only 19, and Spencer’s supposed to be 22 or 23 (based on his headstone). He’s a great actor, but I wouldn’t buy a romance between him and Trina or Esme.
His birthdate has been changed 4 times. First it was 2006, then 2005, then to 2003, & lastly to 2001. So technically he is 18!
Whoever made the Luke and Laura comparisons probably wasn’t even alive when that rocked TV. It was phenomenon. The Spencer and Trina coupling spent 90% of their time in the romance tease phase. They barely were together as a couple.
I don’t even know what ABC was thinking letting this guy go early for another project. They should’ve agreed to let him off for the role if he signed onto GH for another year.
Now GH is stuck with every young coupling gone. Maybe they can spice up the gray-haired Tracy and Gregory romance before he kicks the bucket.
Loved the story line he played on GH. It would be a good idea to find a replacement for his role and continue. He will be missed.
Well, that really stinks! I have been looking forward to his return. We did see Spencer was alive at the end of the overboard scene. Come on new writers! Give the people what we want…Trina and Spencer back together. And if you have to recast, please make sure he has the talent abd chemistry, these two actors had. I wish Mr. Chavez well and that he stays close to GOD and not get caught up in the “jungle.” It will leave you swinging without a rope.🙏