| Drew Cain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| General Hospital character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by |
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| Duration |
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| First appearance | August 12, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Created by | Ron Carlivati, Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Frank Valentini | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Drew Cain is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital, who has played by three different credited actors since his introduction in 2014, and one uncredited. Three time Daytime Emmy Award winner Billy Miller played the role from October 1, 2014 to August 21, 2019. In 2021, the character was recast when Cameron Mathison stepped into the role on August 16, 2021.
In 2014, nearly two years after Steve Burton's departure as Jason Morgan, the role was recast by Miller. Under executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati, a presumed dead Jason, resurfaces suffering from amnesia and recovering from extensive plastic surgery, hence the recast. He builds a life under the pseudonym Jake Doe, and later Jake Barnes, when he is led to believe he is the husband of Hayden Barnes (Rebecca Budig). At the time, "Jake" develops a romance with Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) until his identity is revealed and he reunites with his wife Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco). Just as he settles back into life with Sam, in 2017 Burton was reintroduced as the mysterious Patient 6. After it is confirmed that Burton's character is Jason Morgan, head writers Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman retconned Miller's version of Jason into an entirely separate character, that of Jason's secret previously unknown twin-brother, Andrew. It is also revealed that Drew was briefly raised as the foster brother of Jason's archenemies, reformed serial killer Franco (Roger Howarth).
Storylines
edit2014–2019
edit2021–present
editCreation and casting
editRumors of Miller's casting circulated after he vacated the role of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless in early 2014.[1] In June 2014, journalist Michael Logan reported that Miller had signed a deal to join General Hospital's cast.[2] Soap Opera Digest reported that while the produces were interested in Miller, the actor was hesitant to sign on. A source claimed to the magazine that it would have to be a "very sweet deal" for Miller to return to soaps following his latest stint on The Young and the Restless as Miller had left his Daytime Emmy Award winning role as Billy Abbott because he wanted freedom to do other projects.[3] Valentini confirmed plans to recast the role of Jason in July 2014.[4] On September 2, 2014, Valentini announced Miller's casting on Twitter. "I am really excited to be working with such a talented and acclaimed actor as Billy. Our cast is thrilled that he will be joining our ‘General Hospital’ family, and I know that he will be an amazing addition to our talented cast."[5] The casting brought Miller back to the ABC network as he started his soap career on All My Children as Richie Novak in 2007.[6] Miller made his debut on October 1, 2014.[7] In June 2019, Johnathan K. of TV Source Magazine reported that Miller was out.[8] On July 28, 2019, Miller announced his departure via a statement published by his manager Marnie Sparer.[9]
On April 5, 2021, Deadline Hollywood announced Mathison's casting and revealed the actor was set to debut in August 2021. Like Miller, Mathison also starred on All My Children as Ryan Lavery.[10] Mathison expressed his excitement about his new gig on social media. "Almost 10 years after All My Children went off the air I am so excited to be joining General Hospital this summer! I was a member of the abc family for over 15 years and soon I’ll be back:)"[11] On August 24, 2021, Mathison announced that he would play Drew in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly. Before its cancellation, Mathison's hosting gig at Home & Family was reduced from five to two episodes a week. With his free time and having been a fan of the show, Mathison reached out to Valentini to express interest in work. Mathison began filming on July 9, 2021, and made his debut on August 16.[12]
Development
editCharacterization
editPersonality
editBackstory and lineage
editIntroduction (2014)
editIn a press release about Miller's casting, the ABC said "With [Jason's] imminent return, fans can look forward to an exciting new story that will be full of the twist & turns, along with shocking revelations that have made 'General Hospital' infamous for over five decades."[6]
Life as Jason (2015–2017)
editRetcon (2017)
editIn June 2017, it was announced that Burton was set to return to the series.[13]
Disappearance (2019)
editReintroduction (2021)
editMathison was both nervous and relieved to play a recast Drew. However, he was more worried "that wasn't on the canvas that long."[12]
Reception
editMiller's casting
editSoap Opera Digest said Logan's tweet "got soap fans' tongues wagging."[3] Errol Lewis said "It’s been the hottest rumor of the summer."[14]
Retcon
editMathison's casting
editReferences
edit- ^ Levinsky, Mara (October 13, 2014). "Jason Returns". On the Cover. Soap Opera Digest. Vol. 39, no. 41. United States: American Media, Inc. p. 30–33.
- ^ Lewis, Errol (June 12, 2014). "Billy Miller Heading To 'General Hospital'?". Soap Opera Network. United States. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "Billy Miller Joining GH?". Late-breaking News. Soap Opera Digest. Vol. 39, no. 27. United States: American Media, Inc. July 7, 2014. p. 9.
- ^ Levinsky, Mara (July 21, 2014). "Port Charles Press". On the Cover. Soap Opera Digest. Vol. 39, no. 29. United States: American Media, Inc. p. 32–35.
- ^ Gelman, Vlada (September 2, 2014). "TVLine Items: General Hospital Recasts Jason, OITNB Star Is Faking It & More". TV Line. United States: TVLine Media, LLC. (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "Billy Miller Joins GH!". Late-breaking News. Soap Opera Digest. Vol. 39, no. 38. United States: American Media, Inc. September 22, 2014. p. 4–5.
- ^ Lewis, Errol (September 30, 2014). "TOMORROW: Billy Miller Revealed As Jason Morgan On 'General Hospital'". Soap Opera Network. United States. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ K, Johnathan (June 15, 2019). "Rumor: Is Billy Miller out at 'General Hospital'". TV Source Magazine. SoSource Media, LLC. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ Bowe, Jillian (July 29, 2019). "Billy Miller OUT at General Hospital". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. (SAY Media). Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 5, 2021). "General Hospital: Home & Family's Cameron Mathison Joins Cast of ABC Drama". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 5, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ Silver, Carly (April 16, 2021). "Cameron Mathison Says He'll Make General Hospital Debut This Summer". Daytime Confidential. Confidential Media, Inc. (SAY Media). Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Rice, Lynette (August 8, 2021). "See how General Hospital will introduce Cameron Mathison". Entertainment Weekly. United States: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ SOD (June 28, 2017). "It's Official! Steve Burton Back to GH!". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Errol (September 2, 2014). "Billy Miller Officially Joins Cast Of 'General Hospital'". Soap Opera Network. United States. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ https://tvsourcemagazine.com/2014/10/billy-millers-first-general-hospital-promo-jason-morgan/