Soap Hub Exclusive: From General Hospital to the Big Screen – Robert Palmer Watkins’ Thrilling New Chapter

Robert Palmer Watkins joined General Hospital in 2015 as Dillon Quartermaine and remained with the show until 2017. The former soap star has a thrilling new film coming.

New Film

Watkins’ new film, Trapped Inn, is out on streaming today. The film, which was created by Leah Sturgis, tells the story of an American cycling team that trains at a secluded lodge in Europe. One by one, teammates begin to die under mysterious circumstances. As tensions rise, rivals Connor and Greg must fight to stay alive and uncover the truth behind the team’s tragic fate. You can view the trailer here. Learn more about the film, Robert’s time on GH, and what he has been up to since leaving the show.

Soap Hub: What can you tell me about your new film, Trapped Inn, which is out today?

Robert Palmer Watkins: It’s a supernatural thriller with elements of horror and sci-fi—it’s hard to pin down to one genre because there’s a lot of cool elements to the plot. It’s an exciting, unpredictable ride for the audience as they try to figure out the twists and where it’s heading. I play one of the leads alongside Matt Rife Out and Brielle Gearson.

We filmed it a couple of years ago, but post-production took a while with all the CGI and special effects. I’m really excited it’s finally out for people to see.

SH: How would you describe your character, Greg?

Watkins: Some might say Greg is a cocky jerk, but I think he’s just misunderstood. He’s the leader of a cycling team, the veteran of the group—super alpha, competitive, and aggressive. Matt Rife’s character, Connor, is the rookie on the team, and we butt heads throughout the story.

As the plot unfolds, Greg and Connor are trapped together and forced to work as a team to survive. It was such a blast playing off Matt. I guess you could say Greg is the bad guy and Connor is the good guy, but the arc of the story shows how they grow to understand each other.

SH: Matt’s career has really taken off since then. Was he constantly cracking jokes on set?

Watkins: Honestly, he’s such a humble, talented guy. I couldn’t be happier for him. His work ethic was incredible, and he was so easy to work with—I consider him a friend. We don’t talk as much now because he’s traveling the world and insanely busy, but we still message occasionally on Instagram.

On set, he was more in actor mode because the movie’s tone is intense and serious. It was cool to see him in a different light, given that most people know him for comedy. Even back then, he was recognized for his stand-up and Wild ‘N Out on MTV, but this movie really showcases his range.

SH: Sounds like Greg is a far cry from Dillon on GH!

Watkins: Oh, for sure! I love playing villains or troublemakers because there’s room to inject some sarcasm and humor into those roles, which I enjoy. I think I drop into those characters naturally—whether that’s a good thing or not, I don’t know!

But playing Dillon Quartermaine on GH was also great. He was usually the good guy, the hero standing up for people. I loved when the writers gave him edgier moments, like the Halloween scene where Dillon played Valerie’s confession about her affair with Dante. I remember thinking, “Finally, Dillon gets a sneaky moment!”

SH: What motivated Greg’s actions?

Watkins: For me, it was about exploring his insecurities. What makes Greg act the way he does? Why is he so aggressive? Deep down, he’s going through his own stuff that shapes his personality. As the story progresses and the characters are forced to survive together, his walls begin to come down.

I love playing villains, but it can be draining because they’re often disliked by everyone around them. Even though I know it’s not really me, staying in that negative headspace for weeks on end takes a toll. Between takes, I’d shake it off and joke around with the cast, but it’s still heavy energy to carry.

SH: How long does it take for you to decompress after filming?

Watkins: These days, I’ve learned to give myself a few days to reset, whether that’s zoning out, ordering food in, or hitting the gym. Usually, after two or three days, I’m good to go. Nothing has ever lingered too long for me, as long as I get that downtime.

SH: Was it easier when you were playing Dillon?

Watkins: Definitely. Dillon was well-liked and usually the good guy, so I didn’t feel the same level of heaviness. I remember Maura West (Ava) saying something similar about playing —her character is constantly in conflict, and that’s a lot to carry.

I still catch GH clips here and there on Hulu, just to see who’s still on. I watched the episode where they found out Sam died—it was so emotional. I teared up multiple times watching Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) and Dominic Zamprogna (Dante). They were phenomenal.

SH: Would you be open to returning to General Hospital?

Watkins: Absolutely! I always thought Dillon might come back, especially for big events, like Kiki’s funeral or a Quartermaine Thanksgiving. I’d love to continue Dillon’s story. GH gave me my start, and the cast and crew still feel like family to me.

SH: If Dillon did return, what would you like to see him doing?

Watkins: I think it’d be interesting to have Dillon more involved in the Quartermaine business empire. Maybe there’s a power struggle with Michael Corinthos, given his Quartermaine ties. Or, they could explore Dillon’s artistic side—maybe he’s working in music or film, and it ties into Ned’s storyline. There’s so much potential.

SH: Who do you still keep in touch with from General Hospital?

Watkins: Hayley Erin (ex Kiki, Claire The Young and the Restless), Brytni Sarpy (ex Valerie, Elena Y&R), Chad Duell (Michael), Wally Kurth (Ned), and Bryan Craig (ex Morgan).

SH: Are you still pursuing music?

Watkins: I’ve released four songs, including “Compton”, which has a full music video. The projects are beautifully shot with storylines I’m proud of, but the music world has become so competitive. Streaming pays so little—after 500,000 streams, I’ve only made $30 from Spotify. That’s why acting is my main focus now.

Coming Up

SH: You’ve had a full year of filming. What can you tell us about your new projects?

Watkins: I have a horror movie, The Fostered, with Brittany Underwood (Langston, One Life to Live), who’s one of my best friends. I just wrapped The Vaile, a short film about a grieving couple who use AI to cope. I’m currently filming a rom-com called Are We Dating the Same Guy?, which will air as an in-flight movie.

SH: You and Robert Adamson (ex Noah Newman, Y&R) are still close, right?

Watkins: Yeah, we relate on so many levels. We were both on soaps around the same time, we’re close in age, and we went through the pandemic together. We even created a pilot and worked on Tub Life. He’s like a brother to me.

SH: Do you have a message for your fans?

Watkins: Just thank you! Soap fans are incredible. They’re so loyal—it’s like having hundreds of aunts and grandmas cheering you on. Their support means everything to me.

Trapped Inn is now available to rent/buy on Amazon, Fandango at Home, Apple TV, and Google Play.