Tristan Rogers Previews Robert Scorpio’s Future on GENERAL HOSPITAL (EXCLUSIVE)
Since leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL as a central player in 1992, Tristan Rogers has checked in and out of Port Charles… but his current run as Robert feels like coming home. “It’s been terrific,” grinned the legacy player, who’s been back in action since December. “One of the things I really appreciate is that I get a chance to sort of Scorpio-ize stuff and play Robert for who he is. The show’s not trying to make him into something he’s not.”
Granted, it was a surprise to learn that Robert had been to law school. “I don’t think anybody saw that coming,” chuckled Rogers, whose character apparently passed the bar the same day he was accepted into the WSB. “When I explained it to Genie Francis (Laura), she said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ But they justified it quite well. There’s a degree of plausibility there.”
And this new gig as Port Charles D.A. works for his character, who was police commissioner back in the ‘80s and now, once again, has an excuse to stick his nose in everyone’s business. “I had no indication Robert was going to become a significant presence on the show again, but now, we see him with everybody,” Rogers marveled. “Every day I shoot, it’s with a whole lot of people I’ve never worked with before. It harkens back to the old Robert, when I was a part of everybody else’s storyline — not completely, but I would flit into it, make a comment and then flit out. What we’ve done here is kind of like a reestablishment of Robert in Port Charles.”
The same can be said of temporary commissioner Mac. As Robert himself put it, “The Scorpio brothers ride again!” — and they’re doing so alongside their pal, Mayor Laura. “We’ve got about a hundred years of history between us,” Rogers said. “And that history is significant!”
Robert’s history with his fellow vets “can be overpowering, at times,” Rogers said. “But it’s also a great way to save a scene. If you just play off that history, it will carry a scene every time.” (Photo Credit: ABC)
Robert also has a history with Sonny. But while they’ve always been linked by Luke and Robin, they’ve never exactly been tight… until now. “During the 2006 virus storyline, Robert basically told Sonny, ‘Stay out of my face,’” Rogers reminded. But when the guys saved Dante together, they forged a new bond… only to land on opposite sides of the law! While this particular D.A. won’t likely gun for the Mob boss, that doesn’t mean he’ll let Sonny get away with murder. “Robert still believes in the bad guys being put away,” Rogers insisted. “Of course, he has his own idea of what is and isn’t right.”
Robert has also forged a fresh connection with his ex, Anna. “Before this, they were always bickering,” Rogers noted. “You don’t see that as much now.” Robert and Anna do still call each other out, but always with a degree of loving respect. GH even played with their past during that engagement-ring fiasco with Finn — which left some fans wondering if Robert was really over Anna. “That’s one of those question marks that is going to stay a question,” hedged Rogers.
“I’ve always wanted to give the Robert and Holly thing closure,” admitted Rogers, here with former leading lady Emma Samms. (Photo Credit: Steven Bergman)
Now that Finn’s ex, Hayden, has returned, the actor isn’t sure what’s in the cards… but he has heard rumors of romance on the horizon. “Robert’s already said he and Holly are not together anymore,” he reminded. “They had to clear the field for him — and not necessarily for Anna!”
With Robert positioned to get into all kinds of drama, the actor has “no clue” what’s coming for him in Port Charles or even how long this run will last. But he has high hopes. “I would err on the side of, ‘Yeah, Robert’s sticking around,’ because I’m floating in and out of stuff. He’s there for the foreseeable future!”
For more on your favorite GH stars, keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.
This story originally appeared in our print magazine
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