Giovanni Mazza, the talented newcomer bringing Gio Palmieri to life on General Hospital, is ready to dive headfirst into the tumultuous waters ahead for his character. The young Cerullo family member recently had his world turned upside down, discovering that his “cousin” Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) is, in fact, his biological mother. But the true bombshell, one that has already begun to unravel his life, was the revelation that his father is none other than long-time family friend, and Port Charles Police Commissioner, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna). This earth-shattering truth didn’t just come out of nowhere; it landed on the heels of Dante already harboring a deep-seated resentment, even a palpable “venom,” for Gio, after accusing him of getting Rocco (Finn Carr), Dante’s underage son, dangerously intoxicated. Now, with the shocking truth of their paternity out in the open, the stage is set for a father-son dynamic unlike any seen before on the show – a raw, complex, and potentially explosive battle for dominance that promises to redefine both characters.

In a revealing and incredibly candid interview with Soap Opera Digest, Mazza didn’t hold back, pulling back the curtain on Gio’s burning desire to “get his power back” from Dante. The actor’s insights promise a deeply psychological and emotionally charged storyline. When asked about the prospect of truly exploring this newfound father-son dynamic, Mazza expressed genuine excitement, not just as a performer, but as someone eager to delve into the intricacies of “a dysfunctional father and son relationship.” He emphasized that his own “healthy relationship” with his real-life father ironically grants him the unique ability to “dig really deep into the unhealthy ones and all the dysfunction and the sort of intricacies of that relationship.” This personal connection ensures a raw, unflinching portrayal of their complicated bond, promising to resonate with viewers on a profound level. Mazza made it clear that this isn’t just about simple family drama; it’s about a deep-seated struggle for control and emotional supremacy.

Mazza articulated Gio’s central, seething motivation with chilling clarity: Gio feels that Dante fundamentally “took away his power” in the immediate aftermath of Rocco’s hospitalization. That incident, where Gio was publicly shamed and accused of reckless behavior with an underage boy, was a monumental blow to his pride and his burgeoning sense of self-worth. It was a public humiliation that painted him as irresponsible and untrustworthy, and Gio has not forgotten it. This perceived slight has festered, fueling a simmering resentment that now unmistakably defines nearly every interaction between the newly revealed father and son. “He’s sort of trying to get his power back,” Mazza explained, highlighting the constant, uncomfortable reality of their relationship. It’s an “interesting power dynamic of who is going to be on top? Who is going to be the first one to break?” This isn’t a casual disagreement; it’s a relentless tug-of-war, a psychological chess match where both characters are vying for control, for validation, and for the upper hand within their fractured and unexpectedly intertwined lives. Each scene, Mazza hinted, is a subtle escalation, a building block in this intricate power struggle.

Despite the palpable intensity and the fierce battle for dominance that defines their onscreen interactions, Mazza quickly dispelled any notions of real-life animosity, adding a layer of warmth and respect that belies the drama. He assured fans that “at the end of the day, there is a certain feeling of love underneath all of it.” However, he cautioned that this love “just has a different way of expressing itself,” implying that it will be deeply buried under layers of pain, anger, and a complicated, newly revealed history that will take considerable time, and likely more explosive drama, to unravel. The actor himself found the emotionally charged scenes with Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) to be “one of the most fun acting experiences” of his career. This speaks volumes about the dedication both actors bring to their craft, elevating the material beyond mere soap opera theatrics. Mazza praised Zamprogna’s deep connection to the emotional core of the material and his remarkable ability to deliver subtle, grounded performances even in the most intense scenes. This shared commitment to authenticity ensures that the onscreen tension, while viscerally impactful, is rooted in professional dedication to creating believable, raw emotion.

The interview also offered a glimpse into the actors’ off-screen rapport. Mazza revealed a playful confession: he’s been “dying to join” Zamprogna’s weekend soccer games but hasn’t “worked up the nerve to ask.” He jokingly added, “I’ll just wait until the story dies down,” proving that the backstage “tension” is all in good fun and a testament to their mutual respect and easy camaraderie. Looking ahead, Mazza expressed eagerness to explore even more layers in the Dante-Gio relationship, particularly how Gio’s perception of Dante as someone who stripped him of his “power” will continue to fuel their dynamic. This promises a long, drawn-out conflict, as neither character is likely to back down easily from a battle of pride and profound emotion. As their story unfolds, fans can expect a compelling and deeply human exploration of a bond that is simultaneously adversarial and, perhaps, fundamentally loving, constantly evolving with each shared scene. The question remains: how far will Gio go to reclaim what he believes Dante took from him, and will the underlying familial love ever truly break through the formidable walls of anger and resentment they’ve built between them? The stage is set for a father-son saga that will keep Port Charles, and its viewers, on the edge of their seats.