General Hospital comings and goings: James Patrick Stuart returns as Valentin

It was the moment General Hospital "Vanna" fans have been waiting for. James Patrick Stuart made his return as Valentin Cassadine at the end of the December 27, 2024, episode.

Valentin learns Charlotte's secret

Valentin tried to be a good father to Charlotte | Image Source: ABC

The second a giddy Charlotte (Scarlett Fernandez) looked up and got a look of terror on her face, we knew who was lurking outside the window. The camera panned to the teen's furious father and viewers got to see Stuart's Valentin for the first time since July. The look on Charlotte's face alerted Lulu (Alexa Havins), so she also turned around to see Valentin shooting daggers with his eyes.

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Valentin now knows that Charlotte snuck off to see her mother, putting them in danger just as Anna had just predicted to Jason (Steve Burton). What will he do now to keep both Charlotte and Lulu safe?

When we last saw Valentin on General Hospital

Valentin and Anna shared an emotional goodbye | Image Source: ABC

Valentin had just shared a night of passion with Anna (Finola Hughes) after welcoming Charlotte home from boarding school. After Anna left for a few hours, she frantically returned to tell Valentin that he had to take Charlotte and leave town immediately because the FBI was after him.

After an emotional goodbye that left Vanna fans in tears, Valentin took off to parts unknown but has clearly been in contact with Jack Brennan (Charles Mesure). The WSB agent informed Valentin that Lulu was awake and there was a search for Charlotte. There was even an offer to hand Charlotte to her mother and leave his legal troubles out of it. Valentin didn't bite, but now he has trouble on his hands because Charlotte decided to text her brother on Christmas Eve.

Stuart took a break from GH

Valentin can never seem to stay out of trouble | Image Source: ABC

Since originating the role of Valentin in 2016, Stuart has remained on recurring status with GH so he can do outside projects. He would take extended breaks from the show to film his Disney comedy The Villains of Valley View, but the sitcom was officially canceled earlier this year.

During his latest GH break, the actor and his family moved to Oregon where Stuart has been posting photos on social media. One that caught fans' attention was a snap of Stuart in front of a Chinese restaurant called Anna's.

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Whether Stuart is back on a long-term basis to bring Valentin back to Port Charles remains to be seen, but for now, this Cassadine has made a comeback the same day we learned that Ace is the new family heir.

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