Stephen Martines Reflects on Nikolas Cassadine and Reveals If He'd Return to General Hospital

For longtime General Hospital fans, few couples from the early 2000s remain as beloved as Nikolas Cassadine and Gia Campbell. Their romance helped define an era of the ABC soap, and more than two decades later, fans are still talking about what could have been.

The TV Cave recently caught up with former Nikolas Cassadine actor Stephen Martines (formerly credited as Coltin Scott), and the conversation quickly turned into a nostalgic trip through Port Charles. From reflecting on the unexpected popularity of Nikolas and Gia to revealing why he stepped away from Hollywood, Martines shared plenty that longtime soap fans will appreciate, including whether he'd ever consider returning to General Hospital.

Martines admitted he had no idea just how significant Nikolas and Gia had become while he was playing the role.

"It was kind of cool to be sort of tapped as an iconic couple in daytime,"

He said, explaining that he was young and didn't fully understand the impact they were having on audiences at the time. Looking back now, he recognizes just how special that pairing was.

That chemistry, according to Martines, wasn't accidental. He credited the General Hospital writers for leaning into the genuine friendship he shared with Marisa Ramirez, who portrayed Gia. Their natural connection off-camera translated onscreen, creating one of daytime television's most memorable romances.

For many viewers, Nikolas and Gia also represented something that was rarely seen on soaps then and, as Martines pointed out, still isn't common enough today. Their interracial romance resonated with fans who finally saw themselves represented in a leading love story, helping the couple build a passionate following that continues decades later.

While reminiscing about his time in Port Charles, Martines admitted there is one storyline he'd happily leave in the past.

He never loved the darker direction Nikolas took near the end of his run and believes it marked the beginning of the end for the couple. Instead, he feels Nikolas and Gia had the potential to become the next legendary soap supercouple had circumstances worked out differently.

That's a statement longtime fans will probably agree with. As for returning to General Hospital, Martines didn't shut the door.

He revealed he would absolutely consider reprising Nikolas under the right circumstances, though his family remains his priority. After stepping away from acting, Martines chose to focus on raising his daughter rather than continue chasing Hollywood opportunities, a decision he says he has never regretted.

Now that his daughter is older and has given him her blessing to return to the entertainment industry, he's more open to acting again, provided the project fits his life outside of work.

Interestingly, Martines also believes today's version of Nikolas has drifted far from the noble prince fans originally embraced.

He explained that if he were ever to revisit the character, he'd want to reconnect with the qualities that made Nikolas so compelling in the first place. He also shared his belief that the Cassadine family remains one of General Hospital's essential foundations, arguing that the show simply feels different without a strong Cassadine presence.

One idea immediately caught attention during our conversation? Martines floated the possibility of returning alongside Marisa Ramirez, even if only for a limited storyline, to revisit Nikolas and Gia years later. It's easy to imagine longtime viewers lining up for that reunion.

Outside of acting, Martines continues pursuing music, recently returning to the stage after taking time away during the pandemic. He's also directing projects behind the camera, showing that while he may have stepped away from Hollywood for a while, he certainly hasn't stepped away from storytelling.

For fans who grew up watching General Hospital during the early 2000s, this conversation serves as a reminder of why Nikolas and Gia continue to hold such a special place in soap history. Their romance remains one of the franchise's most fondly remembered love stories, and Martines clearly appreciates the lasting impact it had, even if he didn't realize it at the time.

Could Nikolas Cassadine someday make his way back to Port Charles? Nothing is official, but after hearing Stephen Martines reflect so warmly on the role, longtime fans have every reason to keep a little hope alive. And if that return happened alongside Gia? Soap fans would absolutely be seated.

Check out our full conversation below: