Hallmark star Jonathan Bennett is tackling a new gig, and he turned to a familiar face hoping to gain some valuable advice.
Bennett debuts as Detective Joe Fitzpatrick on “General Hospital” on Monday, May 18. According to TV Insider on May 14, Bennett tapped Hallmark alum Cameron Mathison for some insight into easing back into the world of soap operas.
Jonathan Bennett Gushed Over Cameron Mathison’s ‘Magical Energy’
TV Insider shared the first photos of Bennett in his new role. This isn’t the actor’s first soap opera gig, as he played J.R. Chandler on “All My Children” early in his career. However, this is his first soap gig in 25 years, and he felt confident that Mathison could do an excellent job of showing him the ropes.
As fans know, Mathison, who starred in Hallmark projects such as the “Hannah Swensen Mysteries” movies before moving to Great American Family, is also on “General Hospital.”
Mathison took over the role of Drew Cain in August 2021 and has been in some intense storylines since arriving in Port Charles.
“My favorite in the whole world, Cameron Mathison, and I were on ‘All My Children’ together. So, Cameron was actually the first call I made when this opportunity came up,” Bennett shared. Mathison played Ryan Lavery on “All My Children.”
Bennett called Mathison and told him about the “General Hospital” role, saying he really wanted to do it. He asked Mathison what he thought, and his pal was all for it. He says Mathison told him, “You should do this. It’s going to be very fun for you, and you’re going to enjoy it.”
“There’s something about being around Cameron, you feel so safe,” Bennett explained.
He added, “He has this magical energy, ever since I met him when I was 19 years old, had just fallen off the turnip truck from Ohio, and moved to New York City to make it big. Back then, Cameron was a safe space for me to be around, and here in Port Charles, nothing has changed. He’s the same guy.”
The Hallmark Star Couldn’t Resist Tackling This New ‘General Hospital’ Role
There’s another “All My Children” alum now on “General Hospital” that Bennett is eager to reconnect with. Michael E. Knight, who plays Martin Gray, used to play Tad Martin on the beloved soap. Bennett quipped, “I can’t wait; I hope he remembers me.”
Bennett describes his time on “All My Children” as a fun experience that is a highlight of his life. He also credits the show for teaching him how to act.
The actor admitted, “Returning to daytime television was not on my bingo card for 2026.” Despite that, he explained, “The opportunity to come back to where it all started just felt like the right thing to do.”
Fans haven’t been told much about what to expect from Bennett’s new “General Hospital” character. He teased, “I feel like I hit the jackpot when this opportunity came because the character is something that I really wanted to play.”
He admits he was “completely nervous my first week” on the “General Hospital” set. Acting in soap operas is entirely different than doing Hallmark movies or reality television shows, the actor noted, and Bennett needed to “retrain my brain” after being away from the genre for 25 years.
Luckily, the “General Hospital” cast and crew made Bennett feel right at home. “They’re just so supportive and loving, and I immediately felt it from the moment I walked in the first day. I felt like I’ve been here for 20 years; I just felt so comfortable,” he revealed.
