Everything We Know About Steve Burton's 'General Hospital' Return

He left the show in 2012 for a stint on CBS' "The Young and the Restless," but Steve Burton is finally making his "General Hospital" grand re-entrance on the Tuesday, Sept. 19 episode of the show.

Burton's return has been teased for a few months now, with man y fans wondering just how his return would factor into the soap, since Billy Miller assumed his former role of Jason Morgan after Burton departed the ABC soap. While the show will likely keep several major plot twists under wraps for a while, here's everything we know about Burton's return thus far:

His Role Is Currently Identified As "Patient 6":

For now, all that has been revealed about Burton's character is that he is the mysterious Patient 6 Ava (Maura West) went to visit. As for who Patient 6's identity is, he is only being called a "hoodie-wearing stranger" in a Russian clinic for reconstructive surgery. As for his official reintroduction, it is set to come at the end of Tuesday's episode, and show Burton's eyes as they are uncovered for the first time.

Burton Will Be Back On The Show For "A While":

Fans who were afraid his return would simply be a bit of stunt casting to get ratings up ahead of November Sweeps can rest easy, as Burton has assured in several interviews that he will be back on the show for the long haul.

"The emotional attachment I have to the show, to the people, to the crew, to everyone there, was obviously a gigantic part of my decision-making," he told Soap Opera Digest. "Now, I'm like, 'Man I am so blessed just to be able to back to a show that I grew up on. And hopefully finish there.' It's kind of like the circle of life in a weird way."

"I'm there long-term," he added. "This is not stunt casting, for me to be there for a month and leave. At all."

Burton's Return Will Be A Huge Part Of The Soap's Storyline:

In an interview with TV Line in August, executive producer Frank Valentini wouldn't reveal the details behind Burton's role, but did admit that even if he isn't coming back as Jason, the fact that he will look like the old version of the character will have a huge impact on several characters on the show.

"Jason's life affects, like, 30 people on the show. There is almost nobody who won't be affected by his return," he said. "That whole paradigm-- 'Who's the real Jason? How will people react t him?'- I find it to very interesting, and it will be fun for the audience."

Burton Could Reprise Is Role As Jason...Or Someone Else:

According to Soaps.com, there is a big demand from fans to get the character of Nikolas Cassadine, who was killed off by Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) back in 2016. Ava's visit to the clinic to visit Patient 6 could have hinted that Burton is either returning as the real Jason, or that he is coming back to be the new Nikolas (formerly portrayed by Tyler Christopher), but with a new face that looks like Jason's. It was noted in the episode that the Patient was sedated and masked because he had a psychotic break after being show and left for dead in the water. Jason was initially killed in a similar fashion by Faison, as was Nikolas when Valentin killed him on Cassadine Island. In addition, it was noted that the mysterious man was from a wealthy family, and both the Cassadine and Quartermaine families are among Port Charles' most elite. There were other hints that seemed to indicate more heavily that the patient was Nikolas as well.

Though we now know the formerly mysterious patient is Burton, the clues all point at two very different, but equally compelling options as for just who he really is on the soap.

To find out more about Burton's return, tune into "General Hospital," weekdays at 3 p.m. EDT on ABC.