Nathan West is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network, portrayed by Ryan Paevey. Created by head writer Ron Carlivati, Nathan was introduced in late 2013 by Frank Valentini as a love interest for Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms). In January 2018, Paevey announced he had opted to leave the serial of his own decision.
Paevey's casting was very well received. The character of Nathan becomes quite popular rather quickly among viewers and critics, becoming known as the show's resident heroic "good guy" as he tries to support his mess of a family. At the same time, Nathan's pairing with Maxie becomes a fan favorite pairing and their "slow burn" romance was praised by critics.
Storylines
Detective Nathan West arrives in Port Charles, and meets Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms) when he sublets her apartment. Maxie leaves on a vacation, while Nathan settles in Port Charles. He starts investigating Dr. Silas Clay (Michael Easton) in regards to the overdose of Silas' wife, Nina Reeves (Michelle Stafford), suspecting Silas is responsible. It's later revealed Nathan is actually Nina's brother. Nathan's mother Madeline Reeves (Donna Mills) claims Nina has died after Silas has relinquished his rights to Nina's vast estate. Nathan is shocked when Madeline falls into the trap to catch the killer, and confesses she drugged Nina to kill her unborn child. He arrests Madeline, and simultaneously reveals his identity. Maxie returns with her new manipulative boyfriend Levi Dunkleman (Zachary Garred), who Nathan immediately clashes with.
Nathan meets Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) at the same time it's revealed Nathan is the biological son of Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati), Madeline's sister, and Britt is actually his sister. Madeline confesses to Nathan when he mentions almost sleeping with Britt. Nathan is shocked when Madeline reveals Nina is alive as she is carted off to prison. Maxie is trying to regain custody of her daughter Georgie, but is discouraged about going to her hearing. Nathan encourages Maxie to fight for Georgie, then covers for her, lying he threw her summons away by mistake. When the judge discovers Nathan lied for Maxie and she loses custody of her daughter, Nathan suspects Levi tipped off the judge, and tries to prove it. Meanwhile, Nathan is reunited with Nina, who arrives in Port Charles. Levi later frames Nathan for tipping off immigration about Levi's expired visa, leading to Maxie throwing Nathan out of the apartment. As Maxie is set to marry Levi, Nathan discovers Levi has stolen a family heirloom from Maxie's mother Felicia Scorpio (Kristina Wagner). With the help of his partner Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna), Nathan crashes the wedding, only for Levi to escape with Maxie and Dante's wife, Lulu (Emme Rylan), at gunpoint. Nathan tracks down Maxie, but is kidnapped by Victor Cassadine (Thaao Penghlis). Nathan is about to kill Victor until Obrecht says they are father and son. Nathan rescues Maxie, and the two end up killing Levi and his father, Peter Harrell (David Gautreaux). As they escape, it was revealed Victor isn't Nathan's father. Obrecht kills Victor to keep Nathan from finding out.
Nathan and Maxie start dating, but when Maxie is threatened with losing custody of Georgie again, they're forced to stay apart. Nathan asks for help from his mother, who arranges for Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) to appeal to the judge on Maxie's behalf. A thrilled Maxie gets visitation rights to Georgie, and she and Nathan finally start a relationship freely. Nathan moves out at Maxie's request they ease into their relationship. They later clash when Maxie helps fugitive Johnny Zacchara (Brandon Barash) skip town. Georgie returns with her father Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson), who is hoping to reunite with Maxie. Maxie dumps Nathan after she blames him for accepting Spinelli's challenge to box for her affections. Nathan teams up with Spinelli's ex-girlfriend Ellie Trout (Emily Wilson), pretending to date to make their respective lovers jealous. The plan works, and Maxie and Nathan reunite after the Nurses' Ball. Silas is found dead, and Nina is accused of murdering him. Wanting to prove Nina innocent, Nathan investigates, and starts to suspect Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst), Nina's new husband whom she randomly married. Nathan figures out Ric married Nina on Madeline's request, to drive Nina crazy and gain Nina's inheritance. Nathan gets Ric's cooperation, and is able to arrest Madeline for Silas' murder, disgusted by her actions.
