Nicolas Bechtel says goodbye to ‘GENERAL HOSPITAL’

Nicolas Bechtel began portraying Prince Spencer Stefan Niklosovich Cassadine on the ABC daytime soap opera GENERAL HOSPITAL in 2013 and continued in the role until it was recently recast. On July 2, 2021, Nicholas Alexander Chavez age 21, began portraying the character. Bechtel at 14, was considered too young to take on a darker role of the young prince. Fans who watched the actor grow from a precautious 7 year old into a teen are heartbroken. Viewers understand the need for change but were hoping Bechtel might remain on the soap.

Spencer is the son of Nikolas Cassadine and his late fiancée Courtney who was the sister of Sonny Corinthos. The young Spencer had a precious bond with his father who was portrayed by Tyler Christopher. When Spencer was last shown he had grown taller and his voice was changing. He already was displaying rebellion and there is no doubt that Nicolas Bechtel could have succeeded in the role as an older version of his character. Now that the role has been recast, viewers can see why an older actor was chosen.

It’s clear that the writers seem about to pair Spencer with Trina Robinson who is 18 and headed to college. Bechtel at 14 would not have been able to pull that off as his 21 year old replacement is doing. In a recent Tweet, Bechtel thanked his fans for their love and support and said he had a great run on the ABC soap. He has not, however, mentioned any new projects. Those who watch GENERAL HOSPITAL feel certain that the term actor will quickly find another role.

. One of the most endearing things about the relationship with young Spencer and his dad Nicolas is that he referred to him as “ Father.” Whenever the young prince said “ Oh father” GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers knew that he was up to something. On Monday Chavez was shown looking at a photo of himself as Spencer, with Laura and Nicolas and said “ It’s for your own good Father” it was surreal for many viewers who realized in that moment the torch had bern passed.

Nicolas Bechtel warmed the hearts of GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers as the young boy without a mother. Spencer could tug at the heartstrings and also bring some laughs. Fans recall when he was vying with Cameron Weber for the hand of the “ Fair Emma Drake’.” Spencer pulled out all the stops to win the heart of the girl he loved and did not mind using his father’s money to do so. He even used Josslyn Jax to try to make Emma jealous. There was also a point where Spencer wanted his uncle Sonny to vanquish his evil great uncle Valentin Cassadine but Sonny declined. The root of Spencer’s anger is because Ava sided with Valentin instead of admitting that he shot Nicolas.

Spencer feels betrayed by his stepmom who at one time he considered a friend and aly. He is also furious that Nicolas allowed him to think he was dead for 3 months. There is also the fact that Nikolas and Spencer had been working together to get Ava to walk away from the marriage but then Nik fell in love with her. GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers have many precious as well as humorous memories of Nicolas Bechtel as Spencer and are wishing him well in whatever direction his career takes him.

Spoilers had been saying for a number of months that the role of the young prince would be recast and most viewers were hoping it was not true. Now it’s confirmed and the character moves on. If you have found that the names of those involved have confused you let's set the record straight because it's all in the spelling. The elder Cassadine Prince is Nikolas with the K. The child who is now a teen who portrayed Spencer since 2013 is Nicolas minus the h. The young man who now has the role is Nicholas with the traditional spelling.