David Vickers' reign of disturbance lasted through 1996, and that year Watkins began his stint on "General Hospital" as Dr. Pierce Dorman. While his role on this soap was smaller than that of David Vickers, the character was no less of a troublemaker and offered Watkins the chance to play a deliciously devious bad guy. Dorman racked up villain points galore as the dashing man who seduced upstanding Dr. Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) and proceeded to accuse her of sexual harassment when the relationship ended. This uniquely memorable character also helped to corrupt the youth of Port Charles as a drug dealer, and came to his end via a violent stabbing death.

Watkins was affectionately typecast as a soap hunk in "I Think I Do" (1997), a gay-themed film centering around Bob (Alexis Arquette), a man in love with his seemingly straight best friend (Christian Maelan). Watkins gave a charming performance as Sterling Scott, Bob's sweet and sexy but simple love interest. More film work followed with cameos in the features "The Thin Pink Line" (lensed 1998) and "Can't Stop Dancing" (1999), and he made his major studio feature debut as the very first victim of "The Mummy" in the 1999 hit adventure thriller.

Watkins continued to be a familiar presence on television, and could count among his credits guest roles on the series "C-16" (ABC, 1996), "Silk Stalkings" (USA Network, 1997) and "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 2000) as well as playing God in the 2000 Disney Channel TV-movie "Miracle in Lane 2". More memorable was his regular part on Showtime's "Beggars and Choosers" (1999-2000), playing Malcolm Laffley the VP of talent for the failing fictional LGT Network. Apart from his challenging work life and machinations to climb the corporate ladder, Laffley had to deal with the realities of living as a closeted homosexual in the entertainment industry. Watkins handled his role gracefully, pointing out his character's backstabbing tactics while also making audiences somewhat sympathetic to his means.

A prolific stage actor in addition to screen performer, Watkins has appeared extensively in regional theater, with work in productions ranging from "Julius Caesar" to "Sexual Perversity in Chicago". He won a 1992 Drama-Logue award for his contributions to the play "Boys' Life", and was singled out by theater critics as the only shining part of the 1995 Off-Broadway production "Fortune's Fools", in which he played a man who inevitably becomes involved with a woman he despised.