Ethan Lovett is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. The role was originated by Nathan Parsons, who appeared from January 30, 2009, to March 7, 2012. Parsons returned for guest appearances in April 2013 (as part of the soaps' 50th anniversary celebration), July 2015 and September 2020, respectively. In April 2023, the role was portrayed by James Ryan. In 2026, Parsons (now Nathan Dean) reprised the role when Ethan returned to Port Charles. He was replaced with Christian Howard, who assumed the role that same year.
Casting
In 2008, General Hospital put out a casting call for an actor to play "Dante," the son of characters Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Olivia Falconeri (Lisa Lo Cicero). Parsons auditioned for the role and was called back twice after the audition, but the show did not cast him as Dante. "They said they weren't going to give me the part I auditioned for, but they wanted me on the show, so they were going to write me in," Parsons said. The writers created the character Ethan Lovett specifically for the actor. "It's cool, because it gives me a completely clean slate for this character," he said. "Since it was written for me, I can play with it and make Ethan whoever I want him to be."
The character's debut story centered around the mystery of who his parents were. Headwriter Robert Guza Jr. hinted that Ethan would connect Luke Spencer's family to another family with whom they were once affiliated. The writers tied Ethan to established characters Luke Spencer (Geary), Holly Sutton (Samms), and Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) — made household names during General Hospital 1980s peak — with the question of whether or not he is Holly's son with one of the two men.
In November 2011, rumors began to surface that Parsons was considering exiting the series, which was effectively confirmed little over a month later following a tweet from co-star Julie Marie Berman. Parsons departed the series, following a three-year run, on March 7, 2012.
On April 2, 2013, Parsons reprised the role for two episodes as part of the series' 50th anniversary. In June 2015, Parsons, along with Jonathan Jackson, returned for a visit to facilitate the exit of Anthony Geary. On September 1, 2020, it was announced Parsons would again reprise the role in a guest appearance. He reprised the role from September 17 to 25, 2020. The role was recast with James Ryan, who debuted during the final moments of the April 17, 2023, episode, and exited the following episode on April 24.
On March 5, 2026, it was announced Parsons (now Nathan Dean) would return to the role. In a statement, executive producer Frank Valentini said, "We have a great story planned — with, of course, a few twists along the way." His return scenes aired on April 17. During the July 27 episode, Christian Howard assumed the role. Scenes regarding Dean's exit from the role aired three days earlier. He had previously revealed that he was initially approached about signing a three-year deal, which he was not interested in pursuing. Instead, Dean agreed to a four-month stint, with the possibility of an extension pending further discussion. Howard exited the role when Ethan departed during the August 4 episode.
Storylines 2009–2010 Ethan is introduced in January 2009 attempting to burglarize the Haunted Star Casino. Owner Luke Spencer catches him. The two become acquainted. The Australian-born Ethan explains his parents died when he was 15 and he has been on his own since then. Eventually, it is revealed Ethan had actually sought out Luke. He had met one of Luke's former flames, thief and con-artist Holly Sutton, in his travels. Holly had told Ethan she had taught him all she knew and he should seek out master con-artist Luke Spencer, in America. Ethan secretly carried a photo Holly had given him of Luke and his longtime friend Robert Scorpio, who had been married to Holly.
It was Helena who would first say aloud Luke and Ethan had to be related due to the obvious similarity of the two men. Upon the revelation the Lovetts were actually his adoptive parents and he never knew his biological parents; Luke and his wife Tracy Quartermaine began to suspect Holly may be Ethan's mother and Luke could be his father. However, a DNA test on May 7, 2009, concludes Luke and Ethan are not related. Luke suspects Tracy may have altered the paternity test and enlists his daughter Lulu's help in proving this. Without telling her why, Luke asks Lulu to come on to Ethan in front of Tracy. Lulu goes so far as to kiss Ethan and Tracy becomes livid at the sight. Lulu later tells Tracy she plans to go out dancing with Ethan and may end the evening by having sex with him. Only then does Tracy admit Ethan may be Lulu's brother and she doctored the DNA results in order to get Holly's son to leave town. Holly returns, confirming she is Ethan's mother and initially revealing Robert as his father on May 22, 2009. After Robert's daughter Robin tells Ethan that Robert was in Port Charles and not with Holly when Ethan would have been conceived, Holly confesses to Luke on May 29, 2009 Ethan is in fact his son.
Ethan initially has a somewhat tense relationship with his older half-brother Lucky Spencer. He quickly becomes close with his younger half-sister, Lulu Spencer, whom he had formerly pursued romantically to no avail (thankfully). (It is revealed on Sept 30, 2009 Ethan is older than Lulu.) In June, Luke Spencer goes missing, but was actually taken by Helena Cassadine. Ethan is concerned but is reassured by his siblings Luke often disappears on an adventure without warning. On Sept. 30, 2009, Ethan and Lulu separately receive text messages they believe to be from their dad. They both head to the Haunted Star, where they end up discussing the situation. They leave together for Greece and find him held against his will on Cassadine Island. They rescue both Luke and Helena with the help of nurse Mischa, then return to Port Charles. Luke promises he won't ever leave Ethan without letting him know. Before he was kidnapped, Luke and Ethan sent in a paternity test which Tracy didn't know about. Ethan lets Luke know the DNA test confirms they are father and son.
On June 5, 2009, Ethan was revealed to be conspiring and romantically involved with Rebecca Shaw, a newly arrived lookalike of the deceased Emily Quartermaine. After discovering Rebecca's deception, Prince Nikolas Cassadine discloses to Ethan he has a plan to retaliate against Rebecca. She arrived in Port Charles planning to use her resemblance to Emily to endear herself to Nikolas and the Quartermaines. The plan was to then bilk them of money (a plot she concocted with Ethan). Nikolas says he is going to win her heart, then dump her. This outrages Ethan, who wants to be with Rebecca himself. As Nikolas said would happen, nobody believes Ethan when he tries to reveal what Nikolas is up to. On Nov. 16, 2009, Ethan appeals to Elizabeth Webber for help in talking Nikolas out of hurting Rebecca. Elizabeth, having a secret affair with Nikolas, tells him Rebecca deserves what she gets. Rebecca leaves Port Charles right before Christmas. She doesn't let Ethan know until she is at the airport. After the affair between Nikolas and Elizabeth is revealed, Lulu yells at Elizabeth in the hospital nurses station. Ethan is there and he learns Rebecca left because she learned of Nikolas's affair with Elizabeth.
Ethan happens across Michael Corinthos III (his cousin) having an argument with Kristina Davis on the docks. He tells Michael to ease up. Michael leaves, but not before he tells Ethan off, saying he should be more careful about what strangers he talks so boldly to because he'll live longer. Kristina thanks Ethan, who asks what happened to her face and she says she tripped. Kristina, who appears to have a crush on Ethan, compliments his singing karaoke at the "nonwedding" party for Maxie Jones and Damian Spinelli. She also asks for his number in case she needs his help again. He programs it into her phone.
On November 25, 2009, Ethan runs into Kristina at Kelly's as he is about to get a turkey burger. They flirt again, and talk about American and Australian Thanksgiving. She reminds him holidays are for family, which convinces him to spend it with his family. He walks her to Robin Scorpio's and then arrives at the Quartermaine mansion, where he celebrates with Luke, Lulu, Tracy, Monica, Edward, Alice and Rebecca. In keeping with the dysfunctional Quartermaine family's holiday tradition, they all share pizza.
Ethan spends December 16, 2009 at Alexis Davis's house with Kristina, her sister Molly, family friend Diane, and Kristina's overly jealous boyfriend, Keifer Bauer. Kristina, and all of the females, enjoy having him there. Keifer leaves jealous and angry and she realizes he was her guest. Ethan spends Christmas Eve with Luke, Tracy, Lucky, Lulu, Dante, Elizabeth, Nikolas, Cameron, Jake and Spencer and he reads to the boys The Night Before Christmas as Lucky puts Laura Spencer's angel on top of the tree.
Since New Year's, Ethan has protected Kristina from her boyfriend Keifer on numerous occasions. He also promised to teach her how to play poker. He took Mike Corbin to the hospital after finding him beaten in an alley, tried to comfort Elizabeth after Lulu verbally attacks her at the hospital, went to baby cousin Josslyn Jacks's christening with his family and enjoyed the ceremony, and comforted his sister Lulu after her boyfriend Dante Falconeri is shot.
2010–2011 In February 2010, Ethan finds Elizabeth at the Haunted Star and realizes how hurt and angry she is. He tries to help. He then goes to Wyndemere, asked over by Nikolas. After bantering back and forth, learns Elizabeth was raped when she was 15. Trying to put her life back together is what began her love with Lucky. Later he shows up at Kelly's in time to yell at Kiefer, waits as Kristina stands up for herself. He leaves after being invited for coffee with Kristina on his arm.
Johnny Zacchara, who has been trying to take down Sonny Corinthos' organization from the inside, prompts Ethan with an offer to be his sidekick in exchange for a 50/50 split of the profits. Ethan has yet to make a firm decision, but is obviously swayed by the offer. This is much to the disapproval of Luke, Tracy and Lucky. They think if Ethan gets caught up in this, he will end up getting hurt or possibly killed. Luke has repeatedly tried to change his mind. Lucky, in an attempt to keep Ethan safe, threatens to arrest him for an expired visa and have him deported back to Australia.
Luke stops Lucky from doing this. He and Ethan come up with a plan to get Ethan a green card. Luke involves Tracy in their plan. They decide Ethan needs to get his green card quick. The best way to do that is to get him married. On March 8, 2010, in a twist of events Tracy offers to become Ethan's wife. Ethan and Luke aren't game. When Tracy sees how upset Luke gets about them getting divorced and her marrying his son, she becomes amused. Ethan then becomes amused as well. He agrees with Tracy they should get married.