Daddy's Home: General Hospital's Ric is there for Molly
After nearly a decade away from General Hospital, fan favorite Rick Hearst finally makes his on-screen comeback on August 22 when Ric Lansing returns to Port Charles to be there for his daughter, Molly.
In a preview scene featured in TV Insider, Ric surprises Molly when he sees her outside the church before baby Irene Marie's funeral. Molly is grieving the little girl Kristina was carrying for her and T.J. and doesn't feel she's getting the support she needs.
When Molly sees her father, she is shocked and overjoyed. Hearst explains that Alexis had called and told Ric that Molly needed her dad right away, so he'd hopped on a flight to Port Charles to be there for her.
The last time Ric was seen in town was in 2016. At the time, Molly was just a college freshman played by Haley Pullos. In 2023, Kristen Vaganos took over the role, playing Molly as the young and successful attorney that she is.
Hearst told TV Insider that he loves bringing out Ric's paternal side, something that gives the roguish character a heart and humanity.
"While he may not be the best father, his intent is to be the best father,” Hearst said. “His intent is to always try to be the most forthright human being, and the back and forth of being that imperfect individual can hopefully be entertaining and watchable. That’s what I’ve always loved about this character. He can go anywhere, he can connect with anybody, and at the same time, you never know what’s in store but you always know it’s going to be something that can be questionable."
Ric's scheming ways
Although Ric has loved several women, including ex-wives Alexis and Elizabeth, Sonny's little brother has always been a bit of a scoundrel. During his last major story in 2015, Ric hired Hayden Barnes to pose as amnesiac Jake Doe's fake former wife to keep Jake away from Elizabeth.
Within weeks of Ric's dirty deed coming to light, fans learned he'd married Nina Reeves, but it wasn't for love. He was in cahoots with her mother, Madeline Reeves, to drive Nina crazy and steal her fortune. Thankfully, Nina caught on to his con and had the marriage annulled.
Will Ric and Nina come face to face for the first time since he tried to swindle her? Could sparks fly? Time will tell.
Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.
