Following O'Brien's exit, the character was rapidly aged when Evan Bonifant assumed the role and was quickly replaced after two-months by C.J.

[2] As an infant, Lucas is at the center of a bitter custody battle between former friends, Bobbie and Tiffany Hill, Cheryl's sister.

During his wait, Carnes learned he had booked the recurring role of Lucas with his first air date slated for July 8, 2004.

According to TV Guide, Carnes was allegedly fearful of being typecast in gay roles, due to his previous work on television series, Desperate Housewives and the film Eating Out.

[17] In December 2013, executive producer, Frank Valentini announced to Soaps In Depth that Carnes would reprise the role of Lucas.

[22] In response to bringing Carnes back to the role, Valentini said it was important to maintain continuity of who had previously played Lucas.

Head writer, Ron Carlivati said he was the most familiar face, and he also shared a resemblance to William DeVry, who played Julian, "and it just made sense.

A friend of the actor, who was also a fan of the serial, saw the onscreen events on unfolding and told Carnes that he expected Lucas coming back to the canvas.

[29] From 2002 to 2006, Lucas is integrated into a group of younger characters which consist of his adoptive cousins, Maxie (Robyn Richards) and Georgie (Lindze Letherman).

Lucas (Carnes) later dated Brook Lynn Ashton (Adrianne León) while he supported Georgie during her troubled romance with Dillon Quartermaine (Scott Clifton).

[19] In late August 2005, TV Guide revealed the series had planned a coming out story for the character of Lucas.

With the announcement of Carnes's departure shortly after, a rep said the storyline would be a main focus that would affect the entire canvas.

In July 2013, General Hospital Happenings reported that Zeman's next visit as Bobbie would bring Lucas home.

Though it had yet to be mentioned onscreen, the website said Lucas was now a doctor, and with a recommendation from Dr. Kevin Collins (Jon Lindstrom), he transfers to General Hospital.

[32] Despite no confirmation from the series, Instinct published a report which stated Lucas had attended medical school in Seattle.

[33] The character's return also brings attention to the ongoing mob storyline which features Lucas's former brother-in-law Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and his biological family the Jeromes.

In the fall of 2013, Lucas agrees to a DNA test which proves he and Sam Morgan (Kelly Monaco) are paternal half-siblings.

[36] The character's return sets up a romantic triangle between Lucas, Felix DuBois (Marc Anthony Samuel) and Brad Cooper (Parry Shen).

[37] In an interview with On-Air On-Soaps published on December 26, 2013, Carlivati confirmed that Lucas would definitely become a factor in the budding relationship between Brad and Felix.

[23] When it comes to Lucas and Brad, Carnes said, "how many times do we meet people who really and truly can understand our unique life experience, and get us on so many levels, and particularly, with these guys whose biological fathers are gangsters, and they're gay, they have to deal with acceptance and non-acceptance of their sexuality with their families."

"[24] On January 28, 2014, ABC Daytime sent a press release which revealed that Lucas accepts Felix's invite to go out on Valentine's Day.

Meanwhile, the Jerome family lawyer, Mark Broxton, hides Lucas's identity in a secret file called the "Billion Dollar Baby.

Lucas is taken in by his aunt Tiffany Hill (Sharon Wyatt) and her husband, Sean Donely (John Reilly).

However, Lucas and Brook Lynn rekindle their romance when they trapped at the Quartermaine mansion due to a serial killer going on the loose.

Lucas helps Brook Lynn accept her new makeover for her singing career, He accompanies her to a school dance where they share their first kiss.

Julian invites Lucas, Sam, Silas, and Alexis to a dinner at the art gallery to announce his leaving the crime business.

During the dinner a gunman hired by Julian's boss, the imposter Luke Spencer, is able to disguise himself as a waiter and shoots Lucas.

After the surgery, the imposter Luke Spencer attempts to kill Lucas but Julian arrives in time to stop him.

Lucas, while still recovering, consoles Felix who is distraught after the death of Sabrina Santiago and Patrick Drake's premature child.

[36] In November 2010, Jamey Giddens also pushed for the character's return with Hansis in the role, thinking the soap could capitalize on the actor's huge fan base from As the World Turns.