Soaps
‘General Hospital’s Finola Hughes Reflects on Robin & Stone’s Epic Romance
Finola Hughes is a General Hospital legend herself, having played Anna Devane on the hit soap on and off for 40 years. Her character’s romance with Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) led to the birth of Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough), one of GH’s most beloved offsprings.
Robin grew up on the soap and later fell in love with Stone Cates (Michael Sutton), who worked for Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard). Robin and Stone’s relationship quickly evolved into supercouple status. In a groundbreaking storyline, Stone was diagnosed with AIDS and Robin tested positive for HIV. Robin took care of Stone until his final moments in 1995. Hughes wasn’t a part of the storyline because Anna was presumed dead at the time, but she’s aware of the impact of Robin and Stone’s monumental love story.
“That was just such an incredible moment in storytelling for General Hospital, and because of that, the character of Robin is just iconic,” Hughes told Woman’s World. “Kimberly McCullough, who played Robin, just did such a beautiful job and Michael Sutton was just so extraordinary in Stone’s final scenes. They’re heartbreaking.”
Thirty years later, Stone’s memory has not been forgotten. After his death, Sonny opened the Stone Cates Memorial AIDS Wing at General Hospital. He gave his son, Morgan, the middle name Stone after his late friend.
Sutton returned to the role of Stone in 2010 when Robin was kidnapped. He appeared to Robin as a ghost. Seven years later, Stone reappeared as a ghost to Sonny.
In 2020, McCullough reflected on Robin and Stone’s love story and the impact it had on her. “[Twenty-five] years ago today, I experienced what would become my finest moment as an actor,” she began. “My character Robin Scorpio lost her first love Stone Cates to AIDS. The love that poured through us that day was a reflection of the best of us, when we can see through the prejudice, and the fear of a disease and treat the person experiencing deterioration with compassion. Telling stories can be a vehicle for enlightenment and yes, even soap operas can change the world. I believe we did that with the story of Robin and Stone.”
