It can be scary building a new life in a new place, and for a hot moment, General Hospital newcomer Marco Rios seemed to have it all: He had a job offer from Miller & Davis, a budding romance with Lucas, and was living in the same town as his dad. But then it all seemed to crumble when local mob boss Sonny uncovered Marco’s connection to the town’s resident terrorist, Jenz Sidwell.
“He’s excited about working and being closer to his father,” Marco’s portrayer, Adrian Anchondo, told Soap Opera Digest, adding that his alter ego was caught off guard to learn that Sidwell has not been warmly embraced around Port Charles and that Lucas’ family has “been involved in some terrible things” with his father.
Marco and Lucas really hit it off in Miami and seemed to be on the path to something more serious when the attorney moved to Port Charles.
But might their families’ rivalry put an end to the romance before it really gets started? Anchondo explained that Marco’s loyalty to his father is unwavering — Jenz accepted Marco being gay and wanting to give up his musical career, whereas his mother, Natalia, was not supportive on either front — and if Lucas can’t find a way to recognize that, then there is no future between them. “Marco has to say, ‘As much as I like you, Lucas, this is my father and he’s my hero because he’s accepted me for who I am. He was the person who gave me unconditional love for the first time.
So, if you want to continue anything with me, you’re going to have to accept me for me and maybe not worry so much about the past histories of people who are in my life.”
The GH actor acknowledged that he understands how Lucas might believe Marco is lying about being in the dark regarding Sidwell’s less-than-legal activities. “But I think Marco is being his true self with him, and that’s all he can do.”
Anchondo confessed that he can personally relate to how Marco sees a side of Jenz that few others do. “There are many examples in real life where one person’s villain can be another person’s hero, and it just depends on how they’ve been touched or inspired or motivated by another person,” he mused, noting that his own father has been incarcerated for most of his life. “To me, he was always the sweetest. I get a lot of my heart from him, but to other people, he’s a criminal.”
Drawing upon his relationship with his dad has helped Anchondo appreciate the dynamic between Marco and Jenz — and how the rest of Port Charles views Sidwell. “I can understand Marco’s perspective of ‘Everyone has a good side of them.
It’s my job to show everyone what other people aren’t seeing,’” he explained. “Maybe Marco’s hope is to hold on to the good things so that eventually, he can show the world that, ‘This is not the monster you make him out to be.’”
Of course, Marco could very well have blinders on as far as Jenz is concerned! “It’s a possibility that Marco’s father hurts him, too!” Anchondo admits. “The interesting thing about Marco’s relationship with Sidwell is that he is willing to overlook certain actions from him because they weren’t issues of the heart.
Whereas with his mother, he can’t defend her actions because they dealt with love and acceptance.”
Love GH? Be sure to join our We Love General Hospital Facebook group to chat about all the latest storylines and juicy gossip!
