Levi Dunkleman

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Levi Dunkleman
General Hospital character
Peter Harrell
UnclesPrescott Harrell

Peter Harrell, Jr. commonly known by the

Aztec jewelry and Levi takes Maxie hostage. On August 26, 2014, it is revealed onscreen that Levi is the son of Felicia's late fiancé, Peter Harrell played by Judson Scott
from 1984 to 1985.

Development

Casting and creation

In early February 2014, the series put out a casting call for the role of Levi.

Zachary Garred had been cast in the recurring role of Levi and would share his first scenes with the recently returned Storms. Garred announced that he would debut April 3, 2014.[5] However, the former Home and Away alum, instead appeared on April 9, 2014.[6] Soaps In Depth described Levi as a "spiritual counselor of sorts" for Maxie. Of the casting, the actor said "Being able to be a part of such an auspicious show with such a huge lineage is very rare, [so] I feel lucky." The actor revealed on Twitter that he was only scheduled to appear for two months.[7] In late July 2014, ABC Soaps In Depth confirmed that the actor would be sticking around after the end of his initial 12 week arc.[8]

Characterization and portrayal

"Playing the villain has been really enjoyable. I've never played the bad guy before; I've always been the leading man or the boy next door, a nice bloke, never anything that's been so manipulative and Machiavellian, something that really draws the ire of the audience. That in itself is a very new adventure for me."[9]

Zachary Garred
on playing a villain. (2014)

The initial casting call was said to be between the ages of 27 and 35, "cute" and "appealing." Levi has a "new age vibe." He is "soulful, zen" and "chill." Levi is more worried about "saving the planet" than his appearance. Levi has "long hair" and a "shaggy presence."[2] Initial rumors described the character as "comical."[3] The character was described as a "guru" who could potentially have familial ties to an already established character.[10] Other sources described Garred's Levi as a "free spirit."[11] Jamey Giddens described Levi as a "new age chap."[12] Soap Opera Network said Levi is "as groovy as the turquoise waters" of Garred's home country of Australia. Levi was described as a "peace and love hippie."[13] In an interview with On-Air On-Soaps Garred said of his portrayal –– "you play him with conceited conviction, because he believes everything he is saying."[14] Executive producer Frank Valentini instructed the actor to avoid playing up typical hipster angle because it was already organically present in the character. Garred instead played the role "with that sort of duplicitous angle underneath" which he described as being quite "infuriating." Garred commented that Levi who is "underhanded and duplicitous" catches so many people off guard because it's so unexpected.[14] Garred praised head writer, Ron Carlivati and his team for giving him the material and said pitting his character up against the attractive "all American hero" in Ryan Paevey's Nathan helped.[14] Garred gave credit to Valentini for his advice early on about portraying the character. Garred quoted his boss in saying, "You just have to play it really honest. He believes what he does and he wants Maxie to believe with him."[9]

Causing angst

During an interview with

Sweeps, Ron Carlivai explained that Levi would take every opportunity to exploit Maxie and Nathan's "dislike" for each other.[15] Throughout the summer, Maxie faces another hurdle in trying to regain custody of her daughter. Nathan and Levi's difference in opinion over how to handle the situation causes more tension.[16] Ron Carlivati described Maxie's unhealthy relationship with Levi as a "stumbling block" for a potential romance between Maxie and Nathan.[17] As Garred's initial 12 week arc comes to a close, in story, Levi faces possible deportation when it is discovered that his visa has expired.[8] Garred commented to Soap Opera Digest that it is a question of "How desperate is [Levi] to stay and what are the lengths he'll go to to maintain his residency –– and his relationship with Maxie?"[18] When an immigration agent shows up to confront Levi, Zachary Garred explained that Levi is grateful that Maxie stands by him because "Her support is the only support he has!" In addition to Nathan hating him, Levi has ostracized himself from Mac because he has "basically kidnapped [Maxie's] personality." According to Garred, Levi depends on Maxie specifically. While the audience is aware of Levi's "duplicitous" ways, and Mac and Nathan constantly suspect that he is up to no good, Maxie is completely in the dark about Levi. Having Maxie as his only support "plays into his plan of having her exclusively to himself." As more evidence points to Nathan, Garred confirms that getting Nathan away from Maxie is his "ultimate goal." Levi can see the chemistry between them and the immigration thing allows Levi to use his own misfortune to his advantage. Even if he were to get deported, Levi would have succeeded in driving a permanent wedge between Maxie and Nathan.[19]

Levi's identity

Ron Carlivati revealed that Garred's portrayal inspired the writers to expand his role beyond the "hippie vegan who seemed very sincere in his beliefs."

Emme Rylan) also factors into the mystery. The next twist in the story raises the stakes. Carlivati revealed in an interview that another villain would factor into the story and said "I think this is going to be a classic, old-school General Hospital action/adventure story" similar to the iconic 1980s Ice Princess storyline.[20]

Zachary Garred as Peter Harrell (Jr.) with his shorter haircut after the character's true identity is exposed.

During an interview with Michael Fairman of On-Air On-Soaps during General Hospital Fan Club Weekend (GHFCW), Garred revealed that his character was the son of an already established character. At the fan event, Garred also debuted a shorter hair cut which he said would factor into his character's story.

non-profit organization. "Fans often asked if my hair was a wig, so it was only fitting that it went on to help in some way."[23]

Storylines

Levi accompanies his girlfriend

Emme Rylan) hostage. Levi and Scribner escape with Maxie and Lulu at gunpoint and they hide out in cabin in the woods. Scribner assumes the girls will be released after they fence the stolen jewelry for cash, but Levi has other plans. Levi shoots Scribner and escapes with the girls. While in the hospital, Scribner reveals that Levi is actually Peter Harrell, Jr., the son of Felicia's ex fiancé (Judson Scott). Levi takes Maxie and Lulu to a secluded cabin where he plans on meeting boss (later revealed to be Victor Cassadine (Thaao Penghlis) who was helping him hold Robin Scorpio-Drake (Kimberly McCullough) hostage. Dante and Nathan corner Levi, and he is shot in the shoulder. At that moment, Victor and his men abduct the entire group. Levi recovers and finds Maxie at the bedside of his very much alive father, Peter Harrell (David Gautreaux
). As father and son plan to kill Maxie, Nathan rushes in and kills Peter with a single shot to the back. Nathan and Levi fight with Levi gaining the upper hand, until Maxie kills Levi by stabbing him in the back. Levi's remains appear to have been destroyed when the clinic exploded.

Reception

"I think he's really great... You know, we wrote the character pretty straight at the beginning. I mean nothing of what he believed was really so awful! If anything, it was Nathan who seemed a little pigheaded to me. But there is just this little element of insincerity, something that Zachary is bringing to it which is making people just jump down his throat, which was out intention."[9]

Ron Carlivati on Garred's portrayal and fan reaction. (2014)

Majority of viewers immediately hated the character and Michael Fairman credited the actor with "Playing The Most Despised Man on General Hospital."[14] ABC Soaps In Depth compared the character to several others that had been recently introduced and described Levi as a "caricature masquerading as a character." The magazine said the writers made Garred's job of making the character "likeable" an "impossible task." According to the magazine, Garred's job was made more difficult due to the "instant chemistry" between Ryan Paevey and Kirsten Storms.[25] Soap columnist Carolyn Hinsey also criticized the story, "Soaps are doing that thing again where they write big stories for new characters we don't care about … which never works," and continued by saying, "But nothing is worse than Levi, the blunder from Down Under." Hinsey said the "green-card" marriage was too predictable and thought the writers could have come with a much better obstacle for Nathan and Maxie.[26] Soaps In Depth praised Zachary Garred for being a "good sport" about the backlash from fans.[27] On the feud between Levi and Nathan, Soaps In Depth said that while most viewers understandably wanted Levi gone, "we kinda love scenes where his portrayer, Zachary Garred, matches wits with Ryan Paevey's Nathan." Though both characters are almost "cartoonishly stuck in their respective good guy/bad guy roles," the magazine pointed out that it had work for the show a lot in recent years. SID continued by saying that while the actors appeared to be enjoying themselves, "so are we!"[28] Carlivati was happy about the audience's absolute hatred of the Levi character and praised Zachary Garred's portrayal. The actor was receptive to the hatred from fans thought, "Wow! This is cool!" Garred joked that, "Even my own dad said he wanted to smack me in the face when he was watching Levi."[9] Carolyn Hinsey said the writers took too long to reveal Levi's true identity, "but once they did, the denouement was a gem."[29]

References

  1. ^ Frank Valentini (Executive producer); Ron Carlivati (Head writer) (May 1, 2014). General Hospital. Season 51. American Broadcasting Company.
  2. ^ a b Kroll, Dan J (February 6, 2014). "Casting: GH for the New Age". Soap Central. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  3. ^ a b GHHShirley (March 2, 2014). "GH: Trickery". General Hospital Happenings. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  4. ^ Fairman, Michael (March 18, 2014). "Welcome Zachary Garred To General Hospital!". On-Air On-Soaps. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  5. American Media, Inc.
    March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  6. ^ Nobles, Omar (March 18, 2014). "'General Hospital' Casts Zachary Garred in New Recurring Role". TV Source Magazine. SoSource Media LLC. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  7. ^ "Maxie Is Back… And With A New Dude?". Ins&Outs. ABC Soaps In Depth. 18 (15). Bauer Media Group: 13. April 14, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Sticking Around!". Ins&Outs. ABC Soaps In Depth. 18 (29). Bauer Media Group: 13. July 21, 2014.
  9. ^
    American Media, Inc.
    : 30–33.
  10. ^ GHHShirley (March 9, 2014). "GH: Convoluted Connections". General Hospital Happenings. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  11. We Love Soaps
    . Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  12. ^ Giddens, Jamey (March 19, 2014). "Australian Soap Hunk Zachary Garred Books General Hospital". Daytime Confidential. Zap2it. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  13. ^ Clifford, Kambra (March 19, 2014). "Find Out Why You'll Be Giving Peace Signs to 'GH's' Newest Hunk!". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Fairman, Michael (August 10, 2014). "Zachary Garred Interview: Playing The Most Despised Man on General Hospital … Levi Dunkleman!". On-Air On-Soaps. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  15. American Media, Inc.
    : 31. May 5, 2014.
  16. American Media, Inc.
    : 32. June 2, 2014.
  17. American Media, Inc.
    : 14. June 9, 2014.
  18. American Media, Inc.
    July 14, 2014.
  19. ^
    American Media, Inc.
    : 10. July 21, 2014.
  20. ^
    American Media, Inc.
    : 24. September 8, 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Levi Is Caught!". News. ABC Soaps In Depth. 18 (33). Bauer Media Group: 4. August 18, 2014.
  22. ^ Frank Valentini (Executive producer); Ron Carlivati (Head writer) (August 26, 2014). General Hospital. Season 51. American Broadcasting Company.
  23. ^
    Disney-ABC Television Group
    . Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  24. ^ "Will Nathan Have Levi Deported?". News. ABC Soaps In Depth. 18 (29). Bauer Media Group: 7. July 21, 2014.
  25. ^ "Tone It Down". WeSpeakOut!. ABC Soaps In Depth. 18 (23). Bauer Media Group: 36. June 9, 2014.
  26. American Media, Inc.
    : 35.
  27. ^ "Better Half". WeSpeakOut!. ABC Soaps In Depth. 18 (33). Bauer Media Group: 34. August 18, 2014.
  28. ^ "IS IT JUST US?". WeSpeakOut!. ABC Soaps In Depth. 18 (35). Bauer Media Group: 37. September 1, 2014.
  29. American Media, Inc.
    : 35.
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