Acclaimed actor James Read joins ABC soap General Hospital in the role of Gregory Chase on Wednesday June 6. The New York native is best known for his work in the miniseries, North and South, but soap fans will recognize him as perpy papa Clyde Weston from Days of our Lives.
James comes on board to play father to Finn (Michael Easton) and Chase (Josh Swickard); what are the chances he’s as twisted and maniacal as his previous soapy alter ego? Show runners are keeping a tight lid on the details surrounding Gregory’s story line, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn more about the talented and handsome actor who portrays him.
James debuted as George Hazard in North and South in 1985. The enormously popular miniseries about the Civil War aired over three nights and was one of the successful works of its genre.
Prior to North and South, Read appeared on the TV series Remington Steele and throughout the 80’s he starred in a succession of films including, “Beaches,” “Eight Men Out,” and “Poor Little Rich Girl.” More recently he appeared on the TV series, “Wildfire” (2005-2008).
Fun fact: James met his wife Wendy Kilbourne on the set of North and South, where she played his onscreen love interest.
While not much is known about Gregory Harrison, we can still speculate in that grandest of soap opera traditions, right? Is Gregory harboring a dark, sinister secret? Will he drop a spectacular bombshell that breaks apart the boys’ worlds?
Finn and Chase are brothers from another mother and Finn resents his dad for forming a new family after his own mom died. But there’s got to be more to the story—be sure to tune in and find out how the angst ridden owner of a support iguana named Roxy reacts to the sight of dear old dad!
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General Hospital airs weekdays during the day on ABC.