Adam Harrington has been playing Jagger, now known as John, on General Hospital since February. Jagger’s original portrayer, Antonio Sabato, Jr., weighed in on his character’s recasting, and now Harrington has shared his side of things.
Who Can It Be Now?
Jagger hasn’t been seen in Port Charles for nearly three decades – minus Sabato, Jr.’s 2008 stint on General Hospital: Night Shift – so when Anna (Finola Hughes) referred to Harrington’s character as “Jagger” earlier this year, it came as a surprise to everyone, including his portrayer.
Harrington was the latest guest on the Daily Drama podcast, hosted by GH’s Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson, where he spoke about the process of landing the role. “I went into a chemistry read with Laura Wright for a different character,” he revealed. “Was told I wasn’t going to get the character, but hang tight.”
Harrington admitted it took a couple of months to hear from GH again, and when he did, they offered him the role. “But I still didn’t know who I was playing… and should’ve asked.” When Anderson asked if the actor would have declined the role, Harrington admitted, “I think there would have been some questions.”
Just Jagger
“They send me one sheet with ‘John Jagger Cates’ in the description. It wasn’t until I went on YouTube and spent a good three or four days, Steve, watching all of your storylines in the 90s.” Harrington went on to call the storylines “fantastic,” complimenting the production value and level of acting.
Anderson noted that Harrington didn’t know he was going to be a recast, and Harrington agreed, saying, “I thought because after I had come in and read, that it was going to be a new character.”
The actor revealed his process of becoming Jagger, saying he felt it was important to learn about Jagger’s circumstances and upbringing. “No matter what he had become in the 20 or 30 or 70 years since we’ve seen him, that would still be there.” Harrington also recalled watching Sabato, Jr. in the role, stating, “I thought there was no way in hell I could even touch that, or even come close, nor do I want to.”