Levi Dunkleman

In early February 2014, the series put out a casting call for the role of Levi.[2] In early March 2014, General Hospital Happenings reported that Kirsten Storms's return as Maxie Jones would help introduce the new character.[3] News of Garred's casting was discussed on message boards for several weeks prior to the announcement.[4] On March 18, 2014, it was announced that Zachary Garred had been cast in the recurring role of Levi and would share his first scenes with the recently returned Storms. Garred announced that he would debut April 3, 2014.[5] However, the former Home and Away alum, instead appeared on April 9, 2014.[6] Soaps In Depth described Levi as a "spiritual counselor of sorts" for Maxie. Of the casting, the actor said "Being able to be a part of such an auspicious show with such a huge lineage is very rare, [so] I feel lucky." The actor revealed on Twitter that he was only scheduled to appear for two months.[7] In late July 2014, ABC Soaps In Depth confirmed that the actor would be sticking around after the end of his initial 12 week arc.[8]

The initial casting call was said to be between the ages of 27 and 35, "cute" and "appealing." Levi has a "new age vibe." He is "soulful, zen" and "chill." Levi is more worried about "saving the planet" than his appearance. Levi has "long hair" and a "shaggy presence."[2] Initial rumors described the character as "comical."[3] The character was described as a "guru" who could potentially have familial ties to an already established character.[10] Other sources described Garred's Levi as a "free spirit."[11] Jamey Giddens described Levi as a "new age chap."[12] Soap Opera Network said Levi is "as groovy as the turquoise waters" of Garred's home country of Australia. Levi was described as a "peace and love hippie."[13] In an interview with On-Air On-Soaps Garred said of his portrayal –– "you play him with conceited conviction, because he believes everything he is saying."[14] Executive producer Frank Valentini instructed the actor to avoid playing up typical hipster angle because it was already organically present in the character. Garred instead played the role "with that sort of duplicitous angle underneath" which he described as being quite "infuriating." Garred commented that Levi who is "underhanded and duplicitous" catches so many people off guard because it's so unexpected.[14] Garred praised head writer, Ron Carlivati and his team for giving him the material and said pitting his character up against the attractive "all American hero" in Ryan Paevey's Nathan helped.[14] Garred gave credit to Valentini for his advice early on about portraying the character. Garred quoted his boss in saying, "You just have to play it really honest. He believes what he does and he wants Maxie to believe with him."[9]

During an interview with Soap Opera Digest discussing May Sweeps, Ron Carlivai explained that Levi would take every opportunity to exploit Maxie and Nathan's "dislike" for each other.[15] Throughout the summer, Maxie faces another hurdle in trying to regain custody of her daughter. Nathan and Levi's difference in opinion over how to handle the situation causes more tension.[16] Ron Carlivati described Maxie's unhealthy relationship with Levi as a "stumbling block" for a potential romance between Maxie and Nathan.[17] As Garred's initial 12 week arc comes to a close, in story, Levi faces possible deportation when it is discovered that his visa has expired.[8] Garred commented to Soap Opera Digest that it is a question of "How desperate is [Levi] to stay and what are the lengths he'll go to to maintain his residency –– and his relationship with Maxie?"[18] When an immigration agent shows up to confront Levi, Zachary Garred explained that Levi is grateful that Maxie stands by him because "Her support is the only support he has!" In addition to Nathan hating him, Levi has ostracized himself from Mac because he has "basically kidnapped [Maxie's] personality." According to Garred, Levi depends on Maxie specifically. While the audience is aware of Levi's "duplicitous" ways, and Mac and Nathan constantly suspect that he is up to no good, Maxie is completely in the dark about Levi. Having Maxie as his only support "plays into his plan of having her exclusively to himself." As more evidence points to Nathan, Garred confirms that getting Nathan away from Maxie is his "ultimate goal." Levi can see the chemistry between them and the immigration thing allows Levi to use his own misfortune to his advantage. Even if he were to get deported, Levi would have succeeded in driving a permanent wedge between Maxie and Nathan.[19]

Ron Carlivati revealed that Garred's portrayal inspired the writers to expand his role beyond the "hippie vegan who seemed very sincere in his beliefs."[20] During the week of August 11, 2014, the character's true purpose slowly starts to unravel as Levi and Maxie's wedding draws near.[14] When Nathan confronts Levi about his plans to steal the Aztec jewelry from Maxie' mother, Felicia (Kristina Wagner), things spiral out of control as Levi is willing to take extreme measures to see his plan through.[21] Carlivati was very aware that fans were very against Maxie becoming Levi's wife because Levi had been doing "evil things behind her back." It is Levi's evil agenda that moves the story forward during the wedding. Levi has manipulated Maxie into the marriage and she is so worried about proving everyone wrong that she digs in her heels.[9] In addition to revealing Levi's true agenda, the wedding also launches another story.[9] The jewels are not "endgame." While Levi's vendetta against the Jones family is made evident, it is clear that Maxie's best friend, Lulu Spencer-Falconeri (Emme Rylan) also factors into the mystery. The next twist in the story raises the stakes. Carlivati revealed in an interview that another villain would factor into the story and said "I think this is going to be a classic, old-school General Hospital action/adventure story" similar to the iconic 1980s Ice Princess storyline.[20]

Zachary Garred as Peter Harrell (Jr.) with his shorter haircut after the character's true identity is exposed.

During an interview with Michael Fairman of On-Air On-Soaps during General Hospital Fan Club Weekend (GHFCW), Garred revealed that his character was the son of an already established character. At the fan event, Garred also debuted a shorter hair cut which he said would factor into his character's story.[14] On August 26, 2014, Levi was revealed to the son and namesake of Peter Harrell (Judson Scott), Felicia's ex-lover.[22] On August 28, 2014, the character appeared with his new look. Garred explained that with the revelation about Levi's identity, he thought it was "appropriate" to get rid of the disguise altogether. In an interview published on the ABC website, Garred stated that "Frank [Valentini] suggested some ideas to me and I jumped at the chance to cut my hair." The actor described the new haircut as the revealing of the "real Levi. The bloke under the hair and hippy guise who has been so manipulative. But given how underhanded he has been maybe this isn't the last incarnation Levi takes…"[23] Garred revealed that he always hoped to do something for charity with his hair and he donated it to Locks of Love non-profit organization. "Fans often asked if my hair was a wig, so it was only fitting that it went on to help in some way."[23]