Valentin Cassadine is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. The character was initially conceived in 2009 by head writer Robert Guza Jr., as a previously unknown member of the wealthy Cassadine family looking to wreak havoc on both the Cassadine and Spencer families. However, initial plans for the character's introduction were delayed and completely abandoned by 2010. In 2016, it was announced that All My Children alumnus James Patrick Stuart had joined the cast in the mystery role of Theo – who is revealed to be Valentin. Valentin is known for being the most evil of the Cassadine sons, having been disowned by his father at a very young age. At one point, he poisons his mother Helena (Constance Towers).
Stuart's performance has been met with critical acclaim, having garnered him three consecutive Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Storylines
In October 2009, a deathly ill Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers) confides in her longtime enemy Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) that she needs his help to fend off her evil stepson Valentin. According to Helena, the illegitimate Valentin had been disowned by his father Mikkos (John Colicos) upon his birth, denying him the privileges of being a Cassadine.
Helena contacts Valentin hoping to use him against her rebellious grandson, Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) but instead, Valentin overpowers Helena taking over the family's private island in Greece and Nicholas slowly poisoning Helena. Valentin's henchmen try to keep Helena and Luke from escaping only for Nikolas to come to her rescue. She warns everyone Nicholas has promised to destroy not only the Cassadines, but also the Spencers. Mikkos's daughter Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) reveals she had only heard of her brother's treachery toward their father specifically, but Alexis had come to believe the never before seen Valentin was only a front for Helena and her schemes.
Luke later accuses Helena of having had Valentin murdered. She admits she thought Valentin had indeed died before realizing he is actually alive and well. Much like Luke and Alexis, Nikolas believes Valentin is long dead and Helena is just using the threat of Valentin to manipulate him.
In July 2016, fisherman Theo Hart claims to have been trapped on Cassadine Island due to bad weather. Jason (Billy Miller) and Sam (Kelly Monaco) agree to let him stay. Theo feigns surprise at Nikolas (Nick Stabile) also being on the island, and explains they met briefly when Nikolas was a teenager. Theo announces his plans to leave the island when the storm clears only to return and take several hostages at gun point and reveal himself to be Valentin.
He then separates Nikolas and Ava Jerome (Maura West) from the group, demanding he sign over his entire fortune in exchange for Valentin sparing the lives of his friends and family. When Valentin threatens to kill Ava anyway, a struggle ensues and Nikolas is seemingly shot falling out a window to his presumed death. Ava attempts to seduce Valentin only to attack him and attempt her escape. Once caught she returns to the group and tells her version of events to Nik's devastated mother. Valentin shoots Kevin Collins (Jon Lindstrom) who comes to Laura's defence during the group's escape.
Valentin decides his plan isn't working and while escaping himself sabotages the group's boat, stranding them on the island until a mysterious woman comes to their aid. Using his alias, Valentin makes his way to Port Charles where he has a one-night stand with Nina Reeves (Michelle Stafford), accidentally leaving behind his phone as he goes off to kidnap his grand nephew Spencer (Nicolas Bechtel). His plans are foiled when Nina finds the phone and tips off Jason and Spencer's uncle, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), allowing PCPD commissioner Jordan Ashford (Vinessa Antoine) to make the arrest. As Valentin is extradited to Greece, he assures Lulu Spencer (Emme Rylan) and Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) he isn't involved in her father's apparent death and he also promises to see Nina again despite her turning him in.
Valentin resurfaces in October 2016 to confront his ex-lover Claudette Beaulieu (Bree Williamson). On Halloween, Valentin claims the Cassadine fortune, starting with the Cassadine home Wyndemere. Valentin also appeals to his sister Alexis to help prove the legitimacy of his claim on the family fortune. He pays a visit to Nina, claiming no ill will toward her for sabotaging his attempt to kidnap Spencer, insisting he was so taken with her he lost his head. He promises to visit again, insisting they feel a mutual attraction, however Nina denies this.
