James Patrick Stuart brings Valentin back to General Hospital

Valentin Cassadine is back in the General Hospital building — kinda. He's actually in a maximum security international prison, but at least we got to see James Patrick Stuart bring the character to life for the first time since March on the September 8 episode.

Jack calls in a favor

Valentin made a General Hospital appearance via video chat | Image: ABC

Jack (Chris McKenna) knew that if anyone had information on Colette (Mercedes Lopez Renard), it had to be Valentin, so he placed a call to his old pal so they could have a video chat and get to the bottom of a double agent mystery.

As Jack expected, Valentin knew Colette and who she worked for. Colette has a connection to Cesar Faison (Anders Hove) that goes back at least a decade, while Valentin's ties to Faison go back even further to when he and Anna (Finola Hughes) were in WSB spy schools together decades ago.

Valentin has promised Jack even more dirt if he manages to get him an in-person visit with his beloved daughter, Charlotte.

Valentin shakes up General Hospital

General Hospital's Valentin was shipped off to prison in March | Image: ABC

Stuart's return as Valentin coincided with the first time we had seen Charlotte since March, as well. However, Charlotte is now played by Bluesy Burke, taking over the role from Scarlett Fernandez, who had brought Charlotte to life off and on since 2016.

While there is no word on how long Stuart will be sticking around this time, head writers Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte have hinted that he will be involved with a big story.

"As for Valentin, he casts a long shadow, even from his cell in Steinmauer," they told TV Insider. "Revelations this fall will have him striking an unlikely alliance and making a run at freedom — and taking revenge on Jack Brennan."

After all, Jack and Valentin were involved in the same crimes, but Jack managed to land a cushy WSB desk job while Valentin ended up behind bars. Valentin would like to see Jack knocked down a peg or two.

Stuart originated the role of "the most evil Cassadine of them all" (not really) in 2016 when he appeared on Cassadine Island calling himself Theo. Not long after, we learned this was the Cassadine even Helena (Constance Towers) feared. Years later, it was revealed that Helena was really terrified of her own son, who is actually a real softie inside — especially when it comes to Anna and Charlotte.

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