Casting
Ian Buchanan first appeared in the role of Duke Lavery on June 6, 1986. After a three year run, Buchanan departed from the series on November 10, 1989. Greg Beecroft stepped into the role on November 15, 1989 as Duke with plastic surgery. However, the initial recast was met with much disapproval due to Beecroft's lack of chemistry with costar, Finola Hughes who portrayed Duke's love interest, Anna Devane. Just as viewers seemed to be accepting the recast, Beecroft's Duke was killed off on March 19, 1990. In 1988, Buchanan won the Soap Opera Digest Award as the Best Newcomer for his portrayal of Duke. Buchanan also earned in the Oustanding Hero category in 1989. Buchanan also earned two nominations with Hughes as the Favorite Supercouple in 1988 and 1989. In the summer of 2012, General Hospital's new executive producer, Frank Valentini began hinting at a huge surprise set for the August 27, 2012 episode through his Twitter account. Days earlier, Buchanan himself fed into fan speculation that he would be reprising his role as Duke with a very vague Twitter message to fans. Buchanan reappeared on August 27, 2012, but was initially unclear if he was actually portraying Duke. However, Valentini later confirmed that Duke was alive and well in an interview with Michael Logan of TV Guide. Valentini and head writer, Ron Carlivati immediately pursued Buchanan who had recently been fired from NBC's Days of our Lives as Ian McAllister. His return would immediately cause trouble for Hughes's Anna and Anthony Geary's Luke Spencer who had recently become romantically involved. Valentini stated:
| “ | Our audience is very excited about the growing relationship between Luke and Anna and their story looks like it has really good legs...so what's the best thing to do? Make a triangle! We will eventually find out that the Duke Lavery we saw die all those many years ago was an imposter. This is the real Duke. | ” |
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