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Nina Reeves is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. Created by head writer Ron Carlivati the role was originated by Michelle Stafford. Nina is introduced under executive producer Frank Valentini as the formerly comatose and presumed dead wife of Silas Clay (Michael Easton). Nina who has spent the last 20 years in a coma thanks to her mother Madeline Reeves (Donna Mills), struggles to rebuild her life and resents Silas for his affair with Ava Jerome (Maura West). Nina's thirst for revenge destroys her husband's romance with Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) and her vendetta against Ava results in Nina abducting Ava's newborn daughter shortly after birth. After a stay in a mental hospital, Nina finds redemption through her romance with reformed serial killer Franco (Roger Howarth). She later falls for the wealthy Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) and is very fond of with his daughter Charlotte (Scarlett Fernandez) which does not sit well with her biological mother Lulu Spencer (Emme Rylan).

Stafford
Following her departure from the role of Phyllis Summers on The Young and the Restless, Michelle Stafford's presence at ABC's Daytime Emmy Awards afterparty in the summer of 2013, sparked rumors that she would soon join the cast of General Hospital. The rumors persisted for months until early 2014 but the network would not comment on the potential casting. Stafford herself ultimately denied the rumors on social media. However, on May 1, 2014, Stafford, made her debut in the role of Nina Clay. Stafford began appearing as a series regular on June 3, 2014.

While Ron Carlivati rejected the notion that Stafford's casting had been in the works since Stafford left The Young and the Restless, he said, "Michelle was so perfect for Nina." When news that Stafford was free agent broke, Carlivati said "it was sort of a dream [to have her on GH]." The writer pictured the actress in the role and Valentini warned him not to get to excited as Stafford was no longer interested in soaps." He stated "I am very, very excited." Stafford later revealed in an interview with Soap Opera Digest that while she had gotten multiple offers, General Hospital "sort of worked out where it was timing and character." They were "tenacious and made it almost impossible to say no. Not only that, they were very respectful in how they came about it. So there you go." Nina "is a really interesting character that I wanted to play" the actress stated. It also helped that Carlivati and executive producer Frank Valentini "were really interested in what I wanted to play." When Stafford filmed her first scenes, the show was on a production hiatus, and the actress was not due to begin filming until they returned. Worried the news would leak long long before her debut, Valentini came up with the idea to sneak Stafford into the studio at the end of the day to film her brief scene, which was then inserted into an existing episode. "We've been sweating it out ever since that it would stay under wraps!" Stafford recalled "I wore a hat and glasses and I was there for 10 minutes. That was technically my first day."

On March 30, 2019, Daytime Confidential announced that Stafford would vacate the role of Nina and would reprise her role as Phyllis on The Young and the Restless. Jillian Bowe reported that Stafford's departure was ultimately due to failed contract negotiations. At the time, details about plans for the character of Nina were unknown. Valentini took to Twitter to share his reaction to the news. "It’s a bittersweet day. I love [Michelle] and wish her all the best." Network executive Nathan Varni offered a "huge thank you" to Stafford for her work. On April 12, the actress took to social media to thank fans for their "gorgeous, beautiful comments." Stafford filmed her final scenes in May 2019. She last appeared in the role on June 12, 2019.

Watros
On April 11, 2019, People announced that Cynthia Watros, best known for her award winning portrayals of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light and Libby Smith on Lost, had been hired to recast the role of Nina. Watros was due to start filming in early June 2019. Valentini was "really excited about [Cynthia] joining the #GH family and continuing Nina’s legacy." Varni also expressed his excitement about welcoming Watros to the cast on Twitter. In a social media post, Watros said "I can't wait to join the talented cast and crew of GH." Watros filmed her first scenes on June 3, 2019. In an exclusive with Entertainment Tonight, Watros announced her first episode would air on June 17, 2019.

On May 6, 2019, Watros and Stafford revealed on social media that they had met. Watros later explained that Stafford had actually offered to talk to discuss Nina, and Watros invited her to lunch.

Backstory and lineage
Nina Addison Reeves is born on March 12, 1970. She is raised as the only child of Madeline West-Reeves and her wealthy husband until Madeline welcomes her son Nathan, when Nina is a teenager. Nina attends Columbia University where she meets aspiring doctor Silas Clay, at age 18. The two fall in love and decide to marry after Silas graduates from college in 1991, before he starts medical school. Nina even puts her new husband through medical school. According to Donna Mills, "Madeline believes Silas married Nina for her money and family name. He didn't want a wife, he wanted a scholarship fund."

In addition to her paternal roots, Nina is a member of the newly established Westbourne family, which includes Madeline, Nathan – who is Nina's biological cousin, the son of her mother's estranged sister, the lethal Doctor Liesl Obrecht as well as the cousin to the scheming Britt Westbourne.

Introduction and psychopathy
Throughout 2014, the writers lay the groundwork for Nina's arrival starting with the introduction of her brother, Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) who sets out to prove whether it was Silas, or his former mistress Ava Jerome, that drugged Nina. The series then introduced Nina's mother Madeline Reeves (Donna Mills), who comes to town to get Silas to give up his claims to Nina's estate.

Errol Lewis noted the irony of Stafford's Young and the Restless character being written off into a coma, and Nina waking up from a coma.

While uncovering Nina's killer, her own mother Madeline Reeves (Donna Mills), strengthens his connection to his new girlfriend Sam,

Casting and introduction
Ann Johnson described Nina's debut as a "stunning conclusion" to the episode. Soap Opera Digest editor Stephanie Sloane said "wow, what a huge surprise." Stafford's name began trending on Twitter after the "exciting reveal." Luke Kerr said "General Hospital just pulled off the casting coup of the decade." Ryan White-Nobles of TVSource Magazine said Stafford's debut "shocked viewers." White-Nobles admitted that casting peaked his "interest in Nina for the first time" as he found it hard to invest in a character that had yet to appear onscreen. "I am actually looking forward to seeing how Nina is integrated into the canvas."

Michael Fairman TV noted the irony of Stafford's "bombshell" debut drawing attention from General Hospital being shut out of major categories at the Emmys. Dan Kroll described Stafford's debut as "dramatic cliffhanger." Soapcentral.com's Tamilu said of the character's debut, "I had something to be extra thankful for this week." Nelson Branco said "Lightning can strike twice, sometimes more electrifying than the first time. That's what Michelle Stafford proved in 2014, when she joined daytime soap "General Hospital" as cray-cray Nina Clay."

Recast
News of Stafford's departure left critics and viewers to wonder what would happen to the character of Nina. Monsters and Critics's Tiffany Bailey hailed the news as a "shocker" that had fans "picking their jaws up off the floor." The Inquisitr's Kim Brandow referred to the news as "unexpected." Hope Campbell said "The Young and the Restless and General Hospital may have given us a real-life soap opera." Soaps In Depth suggested several potential replaces for Stafford, including Gina Tognoni who had recently been let go to facilitate Stafford's reprisal of Phyllis. However some fans took to social media "against a recast to replace Michelle Stafford" and preferred the character be written.

Natalie Stone from People said "General Hospital is shaking things up." Maloney categorized the news as "one of this year’s most buzzed-about casting announcements." Michael Fairman TV said "Another big name is headed to the cast of General Hospital on the heels of the upcoming departure of Michelle Stafford." Soapcentral.com's Dan J. Kroll said the casting "has made it clear that Nina Reeves's story is far from over." Bowe commented "Watros is no slouch when it comes to the daytime game." Hope Campbell described the announcement as "massive."