Los Angeles, California. If you felt a disturbance in the soap opera force right as the clock struck midnight to usher in 2026, you weren’t alone. While the rest of the world was busy popping champagne and singing “Auld Lang Syne,” the dedicated fandoms of General Hospital and Days of Our Lives were busy picking their jaws up off the floor. In an industry where cross-network romances are as rare as a character staying dead, General Hospital breakout star Adrian Anchondo and Days of Our Lives heartthrob Colton Little decided to ring in the new year by dropping the ultimate plot twist: they are dating, they are in love, and they are absolutely adorable.

The news broke not with a press release or a stiff red-carpet interview, but in the most modern and intimate way possible: a “hard launch” on Instagram that sent shockwaves from Port Charles to Salem. On December 30, as the holiday season was winding down, Adrian Anchondo posted a carousel of photos that felt less like a celebrity announcement and more like a window into a private paradise. The caption was simple, yet effective enough to stop scrolling thumbs in their tracks: “This Christmas made my heart pop. Thank you, Puerto Rico and Florida.” But it wasn’t the scenic palm trees or the turquoise waters of San Juan that grabbed everyone’s attention. It was the man standing next to him—Colton Little, the actor behind one of daytime’s most beloved heroes, Andrew Donovan.

The post was a masterclass in visual storytelling, chronicling a romantic getaway that seemed to have spanned the entire holiday season. There were photos of the pair exploring the vibrant streets of Puerto Rico, helmets strapped on for an adventure tour, and quiet moments shared over sunset beers on the sand. One particularly tender image showed Colton planting a soft kiss on Adrian’s forehead while the General Hospital star beamed with a joy that looked miles away from the brooding intensity of his on-screen persona, Marco Rios. Another video clip showed the pair dancing, carefree and shirtless on the beach, living their best lives far away from the heavy drama of their respective soundstages.

For those who missed the initial feed post, the couple doubled down on their stories as the New Year rolled in. At midnight, they shared a video of a kiss—a real, unscripted, magical New Year’s kiss—with Colton captioning the repost, “Magic @ Midnight with the sweetest boy.” It was the kind of confirmation that leaves zero room for ambiguity. This wasn’t just a friendship; this was a romance in full bloom. And just like that, the “Daytime Multiverse” had its first power couple of 2026.

To understand why this pairing has caused such a seismic shift in the soap community, you have to look at where these two actors stand in the current landscape of daytime television. They represent the new guard, the fresh faces who have revitalized classic franchises with modern energy and authentic representation. Their union feels like a symbolic bridge between two rival networks, NBC (Peacock) and ABC, proving that love really does conquer the ratings wars.

Let’s start with Adrian Anchondo. Since joining General Hospital in 2025, Anchondo has been nothing short of a revelation. Stepping into the shoes of Marco Rios, the illegitimate son of the villainous Jenz Sidwell and the late Natalia Ramirez, was no small task. Marco was introduced as a character draped in mystery—a sharp-tongued attorney at the firm of Miller & Davis who seemed to walk the fine line between his criminal lineage and his desire for legitimacy. Fans were immediately drawn to Anchondo’s portrayal, which balanced a dangerous edge with a surprising vulnerability.

But it was his on-screen romance with Lucas Jones, played by the soap veteran Van Hansis, that truly cemented Anchondo’s status as a fan favorite. The chemistry between Marco and Lucas was electric from their first scene, providing General Hospital with a sophisticated, messy, and deeply compelling LGBTQ+ storyline. Anchondo brought a raw, grounded reality to Marco, making him one of the most talked-about additions to Port Charles in years. Off-screen, Anchondo is known for his humility and his background in serious drama, including roles on How to Get Away with Murder. He is an actor’s actor, intense and focused, which makes his giddy, smiling demeanor in the holiday photos with Colton all the more endearing to his growing legion of fans.

On the other side of this romantic equation is Colton Little, a man who carries the weight of a soap opera dynasty on his shoulders. As Andrew Donovan on Days of Our Lives, Little plays the son of super-couple Shane Donovan and Kimberly Brady. He is soap royalty. Since taking over the role in 2022 (starting with the Beyond Salem spinoff), Little has transformed Andrew from a legacy name into a fully realized, three-dimensional hero. He plays an ISA agent—cool, competent, and unflappable—but he plays him with a heart of gold.

2025 was a massive year for Colton Little. His character was at the center of one of the most significant storylines in Days history: the wedding of Andrew Donovan to Paul Narita (played by Christopher Sean). The June wedding was a landmark event, celebrated as a triumph of representation during Pride month. Little’s performance during the nuptials was praised for its sincerity and emotional depth, earning him a place in the hearts of viewers who had waited decades to see a gay wedding of such prominence on the show. To fans, Colton Little is the romantic ideal—loyal, brave, and deeply loving. Seeing him find that same happiness in real life has added a layer of sweetness to his on-screen success.

The “crossover” nature of this relationship is what really fuels the fan fascination. Soap operas are insular worlds. Actors usually date within their own show’s cast because the hours are long and the sets are closed ecosystems. A GH actor dating a Days actor is like a Marvel superhero dating a DC superhero—it just doesn’t happen often. It has sparked immediate speculation about how they met. Did they cross paths at the Daytime Emmy Awards? Were they introduced by mutual friends in the industry?

One prevailing theory involves the small, tight-knit circle of out LGBTQ+ actors in daytime. It is not a stretch to imagine that Van Hansis (Adrian’s co-star) or Christopher Sean (Colton’s co-star) played matchmaker. The gay community in Hollywood is small, and the soap community is even smaller. Regardless of how it started, the “soft launch” phase—if there even was one—was incredibly brief. They went from zero to “vacationing in Puerto Rico” in the blink of an eye, suggesting that they might have been keeping this under wraps for months, quietly building a foundation before letting the world in on their secret.

The timing of the announcement also speaks volumes. By waiting until the holidays—a time traditionally reserved for family and loved ones—they signaled that this isn’t a casual fling. Taking someone home for Christmas, or at least spending the holiday season traveling together, is a significant milestone in any relationship. The comfort level visible in the photos suggests a deep intimacy. They aren’t posing stiffly for the camera; they are tangled up in each other, laughing at inside jokes, and sharing the kind of effortless physical affection that takes time to develop.

The reaction online has been a mixture of delight, shock, and the specific brand of humor that only soap fans can possess. Twitter (now X) and Instagram exploded within minutes of the post going live. “Wait, hold up,” one comment read. “Marco Rios is dating Andrew Donovan? Does the ISA know about this? Is this a cross-network investigation? I am OBSESSED.” Another fan joked about the on-screen implications: “Paul Narita is going to be so jealous! Just kidding, this is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all year. Two kings from two different kingdoms finding each other.”

There is also a profound sense of joy regarding the visibility this relationship brings. Both Adrian and Colton play gay characters on TV, and both are out in real life. For decades, soap actors often had to stay in the closet to protect their careers or their “leading man” status. To see two masculine, successful, popular actors in their 30s and 40s celebrating their love so openly is a powerful statement. It validates the storylines they portray on screen and offers real-world representation to the fans who watch them. “As a gay man who has watched soaps for 20 years,” a poignant Reddit comment noted, “seeing the actor who plays Andrew and the actor who plays Marco being this open and happy… it heals something in me. We never got this in the 90s. We are winning.”

The “multiverse” aspect has also led to some hilarious fan-fiction style speculation. Viewers are already clamoring for a General Hospital / Days of Our Lives crossover episode. “Disney owns ABC and NBC is… well, NBC, but can we please work something out?” a fan pleaded. “I need Marco to need legal help in Salem, or Andrew to investigate a crime in Port Charles. Make it happen!” While corporate rights issues make an actual TV crossover nearly impossible, the red carpet is a different story. Fans are already counting down the days to the Daytime Emmys, eagerly anticipating the couple’s debut on the step-and-repeat.

The relationship also raises interesting questions about their careers moving forward. With both actors experiencing high-profile success, they are likely to become a “power couple” in the industry. They can support each other through the grueling schedules of daytime TV, understanding the unique pressures of memorizing 30 pages of dialogue a day and navigating the passionate (and sometimes intense) fanbases. Having a partner who “gets it” is invaluable in the soap world.

Moreover, this romance might actually boost ratings for both shows. Days fans might tune into General Hospital to see what the boyfriend is up to, and vice versa. It creates a synergy that marketing departments dream of but can never manufacture. Adrian Anchondo’s followers are currently flooding Colton Little’s comments with welcome messages, effectively merging two distinct audiences into one giant cheering section.

As the holiday glow fades and the actors return to work—Adrian to the courtroom sets of Port Charles and Colton to the ISA headquarters in Salem—the reality of their relationship will settle in. They will navigate the long hours, the public scrutiny, and the inevitable tabloid rumors. But if their New Year’s launch is any indication, they are doing it with a sense of joy and ease that bodes well for their future.

In a genre defined by tragedy, betrayal, and amnesia, the story of Adrian Anchondo and Colton Little is a refreshing change of pace. It is a simple, happy love story. It is two people finding a connection in a chaotic world. And for the millions of fans who invite them into their living rooms every single day, it is a reason to smile. The Daytime Multiverse didn’t just collide; it harmonized. And 2026 is looking a whole lot brighter because of it.

What do you think? Are you Team Marco or Team Andrew—or are you just Team Love? Do you think this real-life romance will change how you watch their scenes on TV? Let us know in the comments below, and tell us which other soap stars you’d love to see cross the network divide!