Recently, General Hospital didn’t just introduce a new threat; it clarified the villain hierarchy. Sidwell isn’t the one calling the shots. He answers to someone higher, colder, and far less interested in chaos. The reveal that the WSB director has been steering Sidwell from above reframes the entire operation, turning a familiar villain into a cog. Enter Ross Cullum. And with him, Andrew Hawkes, stepping into Port Charles with precision and no interest in small talk.
Key Takeaways
- GH confirmed Sidwell is not in charge, answering instead to WSB Director Ross Cullum.
- Andrew Hawkes debuts as Cullum, a controlled authority figure who operates above the chaos.
- Hawkes said the role clicked after multiple auditions and demands precision, not emotion.
- The reveal repositions the villains’ threat as systemic rather than personal.
A Different Kind of Power Player
Hawkes spoke with TV Insider about joining the canvas as Director Cullum, a role that immediately sits above the chaos rather than inside it. This isn’t a man who raises his voice. He doesn’t need to. Cullum’s authority comes from position, patience, and the confidence of someone used to being obeyed.
Hawkes explained that after reading for casting director Mark Teschner multiple times over the past year, this role finally clicked. “I knew he liked me, but I just wasn’t the right fit for the other stuff.” When the Cullum material came in, Hawkes recognized the tone immediately and leaned into it, especially opposite Laura Wright (Carly) during auditions.
What struck him most was the control the character demands. Cullum doesn’t improvise. He doesn’t waffle. Hawkes described him as someone who has seen enough darkness to strip sentiment out of decision-making, which shows in how tightly he plays every beat.
Learning the Soap Machine Fast
Landing the role was exhilarating. Then the scripts arrived. Hawkes admitted the learning curve hit hard, with dozens of pages to memorize in under a week. “I had about 65 pages of dialogue to learn in six days,” he said, describing the shock of transitioning from primetime pacing to daytime speed.
While soaps weren’t entirely new to him, the scale was. A brief Young and the Restless appearance years ago barely prepared him for the intensity of being embedded full-time. Hawkes joked, “I said to Frank [Valentini], our executive producer, ‘Frank, I just want you to know that you’ve made all my worst nightmares come true.’ Luckily, he laughed. It’s super intense, but I love the challenge of it.”
That adjustment extended beyond dialogue. Long shooting days meant Hawkes learned quickly to come prepared, including bringing his own food after realizing meals weren’t guaranteed. It’s a small detail, but it fits. He would have to plan ahead. “I’m nervous, but I’m excited,” he explained, noting that his job isn’t to steal scenes, but tighten the screws on the other characters. Port Charles may have to brace for his authority.
READ: Learn how Carlo Rota’s Sidwell has stepped up his villainy.
MORE: Check out the latest GH happenings.
NEXT: Has the WSB become a shadow if its former self?
