Cameron Mathison: General Hospital Just Gave Drew a Second Life

On General Hospital, Drew Cain has clawed his way back from the brink after being shot twice in the back by a mysterious intruder. His return from the edge of death should have been a chance to turn over a new leaf — but instead, Drew has chosen vengeance and manipulation as his weapons of choice. Off-screen, actor Cameron Mathison reflected on the precarious state of his character while celebrating his own career longevity and gratitude for being part of the long-running soap. And as he revealed, he had very real concerns about whether Drew’s growing list of enemies meant his days were numbered.

Life After (Near) Death

General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison admitted to Soap Opera Digest that Drew’s downward spiral had him nervous about where things were headed. With so many Port Charles residents lined up against him, the possibility of an exit felt real. “As soon as Drew’s descent into villainy started happening, of course, I was thinking about that,” he explained, adding that he’s been in the business long enough to recognize a possible demise. “I’ve been around the block long enough to know when you can sort of smell somebody getting ready to be sacrificed for a better story, you know what I mean?” he stated.

Still, he was relieved when he realized that Drew’s story was far from over. Mathison pointed out that what keeps Drew on the canvas is his ability to drive conflict. “Drew’s a good villain,” he said. “I mean, he’s not out there killing people! I think there’s more story to tell, more things for him to get involved in, and, of course, I absolutely love being here.” For Mathison, that balance between bad behavior and staying power is exactly what makes playing Drew exciting.

Game On in Port Charles

General Hospital's Cameron Mathison as Drew Cain. | Image Source: ABC

Back in the storyline, Drew wasted no time turning survival into strategy. Instead of reflecting on the near-death experience, he used it to gain the upper hand. According to the General Hospital star, “Within minutes of waking up, he was ready to exploit being the victim of this crime.” That meant finding a convenient target in Michael Corinthos, whether he was guilty or not.

Mathison revealed that Drew partially believes Michael could have pulled the trigger, but the truth hardly matters. “Even if he didn’t, it’s flat-out an opportunity to bring down Michael so Willow gets her kids back,” he remarked. The result is a character who emerges from tragedy not softened, but hardened, ready to manipulate and accuse without hesitation.

As Mathison put it, “A minute and a half after opening his eyes after being shot twice in the back at point-blank range, he’s ready to go! He’s ready to manipulate. He’s ready to bring an innocent man down.” That ruthless edge ensures Drew will remain one of General Hospital’s most polarizing figures, and Mathison is clearly savoring the chance to play him that way.

General Hospital can be seen weekdays on ABC and Hulu.