<P> Nikolas Cassadine is a fictional character from General Hospital , an American soap opera on the ABC network . Originated by actor Tyler Christopher in 1996 , he left the show on July 14 , 1999 . Due to Nikolas ' importance on the soap , he was immediately replaced by Coltin Scott on July 20 , 1999 . Scott left the role on April 16 , 2003 , as Christopher made his return on April 21 , 2003 . Christopher vacated the role on July 28 , 2011 , after he was let go from the series . Christopher once again reprised the role on a recurring basis in honor of the soaps ' fiftieth anniversary ; he was later upgraded to a series regular . Actor Nick Stabile took claim of the role in June 2016 in Christopher 's absence . Created by head - writers Robert Guza , Jr. and Karen Harris and introduced by executive producer Wendy Riche in 1996 as the illegitimate son of Laura Spencer , the character was immediately popular with audiences . Hailed by Soap Opera Digest as the `` Best New Male Character '' in 1996 , Nikolas 's arrival immediately implodes the happy life of supercouple Luke and Laura . </P>
<P> Nikolas Cassadine is a fictional character from General Hospital , an American soap opera on the ABC network . Originated by actor Tyler Christopher in 1996 , he left the show on July 14 , 1999 . Due to Nikolas ' importance on the soap , he was immediately replaced by Coltin Scott on July 20 , 1999 . Scott left the role on April 16 , 2003 , as Christopher made his return on April 21 , 2003 . Christopher vacated the role on July 28 , 2011 , after he was let go from the series . Christopher once again reprised the role on a recurring basis in honor of the soaps ' fiftieth anniversary ; he was later upgraded to a series regular . Actor Nick Stabile took claim of the role in June 2016 in Christopher 's absence . Created by head - writers Robert Guza , Jr. and Karen Harris and introduced by executive producer Wendy Riche in 1996 as the illegitimate son of Laura Spencer , the character was immediately popular with audiences . Hailed by Soap Opera Digest as the `` Best New Male Character '' in 1996 , Nikolas 's arrival immediately implodes the happy life of supercouple Luke and Laura . </P>
when does nikolas cassadine return to general hospital
when does nikolas cassadine return to general hospital
April 21 , 2003
April 21 , 2003