Ryan Paevey Joins Great American Family After Acting Return
Hallmark fans know that when Ryan Paevey, a beloved fixture on the network, stepped away from the screen, hearts were broken. The 41-year-old actor was beloved for his roles in films like A Summer Romance (2019), Harvest Love (2017), Fourth Down and Love (2023) and more, as well as his role on the hit soap opera General Hospital. But in 2024, the actor took to social media in a series of since-deleted tweets to share his dissatisfaction with the industry and the news that he’d be stepping away from the screen. He further elaborated on his departure in a statement through HEAVY, shared through Entertainment Now.
“As I’ve stated before, I am taking a step back from acting, something I’ve felt I’ve needed to do for a while now, and a decision proven to be absolutely necessary in the past few weeks. The industry hasn’t felt like the place for me in quite some time now, and my mental health has suffered from it.” Peavey continued, “I’ve had bank accounts hacked, money embezzled, investments stolen…things that, while difficult, can be recovered from. But after all that, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. I left Los Angeles to be closer to her, and feel the need to devote more of my time, energy, and resources closer to home.”
After some time away from the bright lights of Hollywood, fans were thrilled when in 2025, the actor announced that he’d be returning to the screen in General Hospital. Viewers have been loving seeing his face on screen once again, and it’s safe to say the actor is back, as he’s also joining the 2026 Great American Christmas lineup on Great American Family.
Here, read all about what the actor has been up to since his return to acting and what the future holds for him!
Ryan Paevey is back to acting—and we’re loving it!
On General Hospital, Paevey originally portrayed the character of Nathan West, who ultimately died in the series. Upon his return to the show, Paevey was once again portraying Nathan before it was revealed that he was actually Nathan’s twin brother Cassius, who had stolen his identity and posed as him.
Now, fans are excited to see Paevey dip his toes in the romance genre once again as he stars in Great American Family’s Christmas in Moose Lake this holiday season. The upcoming film also stars Britt Robertson as Alyssa, a woman who returns to her family’s lake house in the wake of a breakup. While there, she must learn to make peace with the past. Along the way, she reconnects with Paevey’s character, Sean, who also has ties to her past.
“Welcoming Ryan Paevey to Great American Christmas is especially exciting,” shared President and CEO of Great American Media, Bill Abbott. “Ryan and I have a long-shared history of making audience-favorite films, and I know first-hand the warmth and authenticity he brings to each role. It is truly thrilling to bring this stellar cast to Great American Christmas.”
Ryan Paevey found a romance of his own with his partner, Kiley
While he’s known for bringing love stories to life on the screen, fans of the actor were excited to see him share a slice of his personal life back in December when Ryan Paevey shared a photo of him and his partner, Kiley Missere.
Based on her social media presence, Kiley is an accomplished artist who takes inspiration from the ocean and sky to bring her abstract works to life. Though Paevey hasn’t shared too much about their relationship publicly, we wish these two the best as they take on all that the next year holds for the both of them!
From taking a brave step back to care for family, to returning stronger than ever with exciting new projects and a partner in his life, Ryan Paevey’s journey reminds us that sometimes the best chapters come after we give ourselves permission to prioritize what truly matters. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this talented star—and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way!
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 2:51 PM.