Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) plays the mysterious, charming, yet dangerous, man that women love and love to hate. Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) was head over heels for Valentin before finding out he was behind the lie that Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattsson) was her biological daughter. They’re relationship understandably fell apart, and Nina has since moved with Jasper Jax Jacks (Ingo Rademacher).
In a recent interview with TV Insider, James Patrick Stuart opens up about his character Valentin’s happiness, love life, Co-star, Genie Francis (Laura Spencer), and why Valentin and Nina are not a thing of the past.
When asked about how he feels about his current script, if it’s an actors dream, Stuart responded, “It is…and it isn’t. You don’t know how you’re going to play something that’s so far out of your comfort zone. I couldn’t imagine a scenario like this [in real-life]. I’d go into denial before I’d let go of my child. I didn’t immediately see how I’d get to that place, but Genie has been a friend of mine for many years [since our days at All My Children where she played Ceara and I played Will]. We found the right moment together. It felt honest and I experienced something new. Can you imagine being that in love with someone that you’re willing to let them go?”
Regarding Michelle Stafford’s departure as Nina Reeves, and Cynthia Watros stepping into the role, James Patrick Stuart disclosed, “When Michelle called me and said, ‘I’m leaving,’ the blood drained from my face. She’s my friend. She was my doubles partner. We got each other. She’s one of a kind. She’s in her own category. When I hung up the phone, I couldn’t imagine the task of recasting that role. A few days later, Frank showed me a photo [of Cynthia] on his phone and said, ‘This is who I’m thinking of.’ I knew when Cynthia won the [Daytime] Emmy for [her role as Annie on Guiding Light] and I knew her from Titus. I thought, ‘What a spectacular idea!’ This is why Frank is running the show. Cynthia is very, very good.”
James Patrick Stuart also touched based on how he felt when he found out the man Valentin was responsible for killing was actually alive. When asked about Nikolas Cassadine (Marcus Coloma), he said, “I was glad. Initially, I was only supposed to be on the canvas for 10 days. I’ll always be grateful to Michelle Stafford (ex-Nina), who grabbed me and said, ‘You’re mine.’ She needed a lover [as Nina had no love interest]. I didn’t think they were keeping me around so, initially, Valentin killing Nikolas wasn’t that big a deal. But then they realized, ‘Oh, that’s right. He did kill someone.’ I was always hoping that Nikolas would come back for that reason. (Laughs) Then, he threw Ava (Maura West) off a parapet so, he’s still a bit of a bastard.”
Stuart isn’t shy about disclosing Valentin’s feelings for Nina and why he is so drawn to her, even after their relationship has ended. He told TV Insider, “It goes back to when he first confided in Nina about his loneliness, isolation and physical abnormality. She’s witnessed his speech impediment. And she loved him all the more. He’s never been able to fathom not having her in his life. She’s the love of his life.”
Nina is the love of Valentin’s life!