Parry Shen Reveals 3 Big Reasons Brad Is Back on General Hospital
Brad Cooper is back in Port Charles, and General Hospital fans are buzzing. Parry Shen breaks down the three reasons behind the comeback—driven by Britt and Lucas—and teases the fresh drama pulling Brad into the fray after months away.
General Hospital just pulled one of its favorite moves: resurrect a fan-favorite and toss him right back into the mess. Parry Shen is back as Brad Cooper, and he is not returning to a calm Port Charles. Shen broke down why Brad shows his face again now, and yes, it is very Brad.
Where we left Brad (and that missing million)
Brad had been off-screen since May, when he skipped town after Drew Cain handed him a cool $1 million to blow up Portia Robinson's secret. Apparently that cash did not last. Shen jokes Brad burned through it fast on bad choices and the high life, which sounds exactly right for this guy.
After months away and a lot of changes on the canvas, Shen says slipping back into Brad felt easy. He knows the character inside and out after years in the role.
Why Brad pops back up now
'One, word has gotten out that his bestie is somehow back from the dead; two, he needs a way to make some money since he is out one million dollars, and as always, three, Lucas is in Port Charles.'
That is Shen, to Soap Opera Digest, with the very Brad Cooper checklist. The 'bestie back from the dead' tease lines up with the buzz around Britt, and it sounds like we are heading toward a reunion that is more than just a hug and a shrug.
- His best friend is reportedly back from the dead.
- He needs cash after torching that $1 million.
- Lucas is in town, which always complicates things.
Lucas, Marco, and the awkward homecoming
Here is where things get messy. Lucas has moved on and is living with his new partner, Marco. According to Shen, Lucas is genuinely happy. Brad, meanwhile, assumed Marco was a rebound and is blindsided to find out it is serious. Shen is pro-Lucas moving forward, but Brad is clearly not ready for that reality.
Shen also notes he had not shared a ton of scenes with Van Hansis before, but the two clicked back in fast; he mentions 'Van and Adrian' as a duo he is enjoying watching play out. If you are pausing at those names in relation to GH, you are not the only one. The takeaway is the same: Shen is here for Lucas branching out, even if Brad is not.
He adds that Brad and Lucas may never circle back romantically, but there is still real story in rebuilding their original connection as friends. That actually sounds like fertile ground for once, not just rinse-and-repeat heartbreak.
Britt and Brad: bring tissues
Fans have been waiting for Brad and Britt to share scenes again, and Shen teases big, emotional beats when they collide. He promises plenty of intensity and energy from those chapters, which is exactly what you want from those two chaos magnets.
The vibe going forward
Bottom line: Brad is back because drama (and debt) pulled him back, and Shen sounds energized about where it is going. Expect shock, complicated feelings, and at least one friendship that refuses to stay dead — even if it has to crawl out of the grave to prove it.