Weeks after announcing that Rick Hearst would be reprising his role as Ric Lansing on “General Hospital,” the actor finally makes his Port Charles return starting with the Thursday, August 22 episode for what is reportedly going to be a “nice run” for the actor.
In an interview with TV Insider, Hearst talks about his return to the daytime drama series after an eight-year absence, and what role his character will be playing in the Molly (Kristen Vaganos) vs. Kristina (Kate Mansi) battle that has been brewing for months, and has only heightened following the death of Irene Marie Ashford.
First things first: Ric is in town to support his daughter, Molly, as she’s mourning the loss of the daughter she was to adopt after sister Kristina gave birth to the baby as part of a deal in which Molly’s domestic partner T.J. Ashford (Tajh Bellow) donated his precious cargo to Kristina who was to be a surrogate for the couple. In the time leading up to the birth, sadly the baby died after Kristina fell into the Metro Court pool following a confrontation between her and Ava (Maura West). Unbeknownst to Molly and T.J., Kristina had previously decided that she would fight for sole custody of the baby and had plans to keep the little girl out of Molly and T.J.’s life.
With the funeral for baby Irene underway, Molly gets a surprise visit from her father who tells her, “I didn’t want my presence to be a distraction but Alexis and I talked about it and we agreed I needed to be here.” Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is Molly and Kristina’s mother, although they both have different fathers (Kristina’s dad is Sonny Corinthos, played by Maurice Benard).
Although his character is not the best father, “his intent is to be the best father,” says Hearst to TV Insider of his character’s thinking. ‘His intent is to always try to be the most forthright human being, and the back and forth of being that imperfect individual can hopefully be entertaining and watchable. That’s what I’ve always loved about this character. He can go anywhere, he can connect with anybody, and at the same time, you never know what’s in store but you always know it’s going to be something that can be questionable.”
As for where he thinks his character is at this point, he notes, “I always look at what the character is dealing with in terms of the canvas, in terms of the story, in terms of how his interactions are and what his intent is.” He adds, “The older we get, we try to embrace the better parts of ourselves and keep at bay the parts of ourselves that are not so great. And I really think that’s how I would like to come into this moment in the show, not denying the darker part of who Ric is and always has been. Sometimes you can’t change your leopard spots and you really shouldn’t.”
Make sure to catch Rick Hearst on “General Hospital” beginning Thursday, August 22 to find out what’s next for Ric Lansing and what he’s been up to since last appearing in Port Charles in 2016.