Stephen Nichols
Soap Opera Digest Performer of the Week
December 21, 1999
It’s been a long time–too long in fact–since we’ve seen Stephen Nichols’ Stefan. Yes, the GH actor has been on screen regularly for the past year, but what we haven’t had a chance to see for ages are the great depths that Nichols and his character are intensely capable of plumbing.
All that changed when Stefan learned that Nikolas is, in fact, Stavros’ son. Rather than being relegated to the stalwart supportive role he’s been locked into for so long, Nichols was free to emote and respond to this tragic turn. Like a man trapped under water without air, his face was contorted with agony, as if the pain of Stefan’s breaking heart would actually do him in. But the performance was perhaps most poignant when Stefan received a visit from Nikolas. Trying desperately to hold it together, Stefan feigned polite cheer, but crumbled once his “son” left the room.
It was thrilling to see a bold performer like Nichols snatch back his character. Stefan is never more compelling than when allowed to complement his trademark stoicism with great vulnerability. ‘We were so close,’ he grieved to Laura. The family I’ve dreamed of since the island. I couldn’t have let that go.’ And while emotional outbursts are certainly not Stefan’s style, it was invigorating to watch Nichols take us beyond his character’s unflappable demeanor and remind us once again of the tremendous range he’s able to demonstrate at a moment’s notice. Long may he rave.
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