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GH's Jen Lilley on Taking Over The Role of Maxie Jones from Kirsten Storms & How Awkward It was!

Photo Credit: Janna Giacoppo

Photo Credit: Janna Giacoppo

Jen Lilley has certain been given some very “Maximista” moments lately on General Hospital and Maxie deems herself a “killer” is having her own unique mental breakdown,  and dealing with the guilt she feels over the “death” of Robin.  In a new interview out today from the Burg.com, the actress talks about her Virginia roots, her role in the Oscar winning movie, The Artist, and taking over the key role of Port Charles’ Maxie Jones from fan favorite, Kirsten Storms.  Here are a few excerpts below!

Lilley on how it was for herinitially taking over the role of Maxie from Storms:   “In a word, awkward. It’s really wonderful now. … The analogy I always use [is] if Michael C. Hall wasn’t Dexter — and that’s my favorite show — [but] if Michael C. Hall wasn’t Dexter because he was sick, and let’s say, oh gosh, name one of the best actors ever. Dustin Hoffman. If he was filling in for him, I would be like, ‘Uh uh. No. You’re not Michael C. Hall. Get out of there.  So I completely get how emotional it was for them to have somebody new stepping in. … After the initial shock that it wasn’t her, they’ve been really amazing. And I gotta say, soap fans, out of all fan bases, are definitely the most loyal. They’ll tell you how it is. But once you get them on your side, they’ll fight for you. So I really like the fans.”

Lilley on working with soap legends, Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Anthony Geary (Luke): “What’s so awesome [about] working with them is knowing that they are legends and they know it, but it’s like it doesn’t faze them. They’re so ridiculously nice. This is not me being political, but I literally could not say one bad thing about one cast member. Everybody is so down-to-earth and nice. It’s like they don’t get that they’re on a television show. … They were really my saving grace going in because I was so nervous. They were all so welcoming. They all were like, ‘Look, we know this is awkward. But welcome to soaps. Recasts happen all the time.’”

Lilley on booking the GH gig and what came next:  “Booking it was crazy. I started the day after my audition. My last callback, I think I left the building at like 5:30 at night, and they said, ‘See you on set at 6:45 a.m. tomorrow.’  I remember thinking, ‘How ironic, that I have a comedy background and now I’m doing soaps, which is the complete opposite of the spectrum.’  And I remember thinking, ‘Oh God I hope everybody on set doesn’t take everything very seriously. Because I am a laugher. I laugh when I’m stressed out … that’s my defense mechanism. And I thought, ‘Oh God, I’m going to laugh after every take, and I’m going to look like such a jerk.’ But we all do that, and they’re all really, really cool. Because it’s so much work … it’s like an ongoing acting class that I get paid to do. I really love it.”

So are you enjoying Jen in the role of Maxie?  Has she grown on you since she first took over the role from Kirsten Storms? Do you think Jen has made the role her own?  Let us know your thoughts!

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I love Kirsten, but I think Jen has really made the role her own. Granted, the character can be a bit annoying no matter who plays her (that’s just how Maxie is!), but Jen’s hyper-neurotic energy is pretty entertaining. I love watching her 🙂

And Kristian played Maxie with the SAME hyper-neurotic energy. That’s where Jen gets it from. Jen plays the role with such likeness that one day I thought Kristian had returned just listening to Jen while I was on my computer. I looked up at my TV and it was Jen. That was the day that Jen won me over 100%. There are not many differences in the way Maxie is being played. The only difference is the face.

I think she’s doing a terrific job. She’s a different person, but I think she does the role certainly as well as Kirsten. Just a little different. I am very worried as Kirsten must be really sick. I’ve read different rumors about what is wrong. I hope she will be okay.

Great job, Jen Lilley. There, I know I didn’t say it that way before.

I’m gonna go out and admit and say I didn’t like wen Kristen Storms was replaced because I’m used 2 seeing her for so long. But since Robins Death Jen has grown on me. Jen u are a wonderful actress Keep Up the Good Work

Nothing at all against Jen because I love her as an actress but somehow, I cannot get used to her in Kirsten’s role as Maxie. For me, there will never be another Maxie. Kirsten has that role designed to be her own and her unique talents cannot be matched!

By the way, is Kirsten ever coming back to her role as Maxie? No one can seem to get a response to that question. Top secret? Surprise? Don’t want to disappoint? What’s the reason fans cannot seem to get an answer to this question?????

There is only one Kirsten Storms. I have tweeted Jen Lilley just to express my opinion. I believe she is a treasure chest of talent and she is BELIEVABLE. She has taken the role of Maxie Jones and made it her own. Jen delivers her lines with such emotion and passion. I understand she has a comedic background that GH has yet to really feast on. Jen has earned her fan base and in my opinion has contributed to GH being picked up for another year. I thank her for taking on this casting “need” and fighting her way through the negative comments and grabbing the recognition she well deserves for a job well done. Jen, from a GH fan of 32 years I say, “THANK YOU”.

WELL SAID.

Jen is doing a good job of filling in, but Kirstin IS Maxie and she will hopefully come back!

Jen Lilley has become one of my favorite actresses, she has done an outstanding job taking over the role as a temporary recast at first, while putting up with many hateful & negative comments. I did enjoy Kirsten’s version, but Jen really has become her own Maxie, plus she also reminds me more of Robyn Richards’s Maxie, as I’m really looking forward to Jen’s scenes with her mom Felicia. Jen is such a first class lady and a good role model, as she does charity work for children and she also interacts with her fans, commenting often on her Facebook page.

She has done fantastically with the series. She is Maxie Jones and I will forever back Jen in whatever she chooses to do. I love her as Maxie and need more of her! I’m happy she’s settling into the series. We’ll always have your back JEN! Love you!!

I think Jen_Lilley (I type it that way cause I follow her on twitter 🙂 is amazing. She is so talented and I’m a big big fan of hers! She’s terrific!!

She is systematically ruining the character of Maxie for me… She is just another Tamara Braun… a quick fix that doesn’t measure up to the original, but that gains a following because they try really hard… I know that sounds like I hate them or whatever, but I don’t… I think Tamara and Jen have talent, but they were both thrown into my FAVORITE characters on GH and they were NOT equal to the task of living up to the shoes they are being asked to fill… I’m SURE JL will “make Maxie her own” the same way TB did with Carly, but unfortunately, in doing that, she’s making the character someone I completely LOATHE and have no ability to like or root for… I wish her well, but I won’t be watching scenes where she stars prominently in because it only frustrates me more because Kirsten Storms will ALWAYS be the ghost hanging over her shoulder in every scene and that ruins the enjoyment enjoyment for me… As a matter of fact, after TB started I quit watching altogether for a long time… I’m hoping there’s enough left in the show to keep me from repeating that because GH needs every viewer it can get… In the meantime, I’m gonna go re-watch B&B, Team Pretty(Steffy/Thomas) are highly entertaining as usual! Love me some Stephanie, Taylor, or Taylor’s offsprong!

i love jenn liley. she has really grown on me. what a suprise to me. i love her acting on general hospital. kirsten storms i love you and i miss you. kirsten once you get better please come back to general hospital or days of our lives as belle.

Jen is doing a great job and seems to be making this part her own. Having said that I still miss Kirsten Storms who really toook axie to whole ‘nother level. Kirsten could make this self involved character seem lovable even at her most selfish and insensitive times. What I really want to know is what really happened to re-cast this part. Isn’t it illegal to fire someone when they are ill?

No offense to Jen who is a wonderful actress

No, Kristian wasn’t fired. The replacement was temporarily, and it was annouced on screen when Jen took over the role. However, due to the sickness of Kristian, something that involves her joints, she CAN’T work. In fact, Kristian tweeted she would be returning back in March, but she had a set-back with her illness, which is a serious desease. Obviously her health comes first. But no, Kristian wasn’t fired. Until Jen is offered a contract, Kristian can still return in the role, but then won’t be able to return until Jen’s contract expires.

Actually if Jen is offered a contract she can’t break it, but the ppl in charge can as they were the ones that offered it. The contract is just so the actor can’t suddenly decide of their own accord to leave the show they either have to get booted or continue until their contract is up.

I think she has done an amazing job… If Storms can’t be there for what ever reason, Lilley is the best replacement she is similar in looks and has many of Storm’s qualities. I enjoy her and if Storms doesn’t return would hope that Jen Lilley gets to keep the role. Would not want to see a 3rd actress attempt to re-fill these shoes.

Agreed.

Does this mean Kirsten isn’t coming back? I haven’t seen any news at all about her return since Jan.

KS will return for sure. But I think they’re gonna keep it quiet until she’s actually shooting scenes, so as not to get the fans all thrilled like last time, just in case theres another setback. So likely there will be an official announcement right before her scenes she’s shot start to actually air ….JMO

I love jen lilly ,I go to her facebook a lot and she has answered a few of my posts,She is so sweet ,I feel so bad the way people have put her down for taking over the maxi role but I let her know she is doing a very good job and I would like for her to stay.There are alot of nasty people out there saying things that arent very nice.She was in the movie that won an oscar this year , I am loving her meltdown even though I want to shake her and tell her to be quiet ,She is maxi now,and She is doing a good job and the fans should get over it,she is here to stay and this fan likes her.

Jen is doing a phenomenal job; she is a breath of fresh air and I hope she stays in the role. Jen is fabulous, beautiful and talented. I adore her.

Me to.

She’s getting better but Kirsten just has the “bitch” do.wn so much better. Jen does the emotional pretty good but she doesn’t have the “edge” meanness like Kirsten.

Please don’t change GH anymore. It seems to be changing slowly until recently … slow down the changes.

This actress has made the character of Maxie even more irritating than the last actress. I didn’t even know that was possible. Jen Lilley makes me miss Kirsten Storms – again, didn’t think that would ever happen. I wish they would just kill off the character. I skip through any scenes with her in them. Her voice and her whining just grate on my nerves. It’s harsh, but true.

I adore KS and I wish her the very best. She is fab and truly made Maxie a unique character on GH. She’s a fantastic actress whom I can say I miss seeing on my screen. That being said-Jen has really done a phenom job of filling her role. She has great chemistry with the other actors. I want more Liz/Maxie scenes!! lol They are a hoot and such beautiful ladies. I have watched JL’s YT clip of her singing and she brought me to tears. She seems like a very geniune spirit and I adore her as Maxie. She delivered her scenes during Robin’s funeral and had me in buckets of tears. I would like to think that KS would be so happy to have someone taking such good care of Maxie.

Exactly. Jen is phenomenal…

Exactly. Jen is phenomenal, a breath of fresh air.

People need to accept recasts. I think the pattern in the last 20 years of writing off character when an actor goes instead of giving priority to the story has gone too far. There have been some stupid misfires because actors commit to short-term stints or leave before their storylines are complete. We know recasts can work (Trevor St. John, Julie Pinson, Noelle Beck) so give Jen Lilley her due, people! She’s done a fine job.

That’s your opinion and while I can respect it, I CANNOT agree… People watch a show because of what the CHARACTERS bring to the story… if you have a recast that is unequal to the story… then it’s better to kill the story than waste our time.. I feel as a different character JL would be great, but in my opinion, she hasn’t shown the depth and complexity to pull off Maxie and it is killing the show for me as Maxie USED to be one of my favorite characters… It’s sad because there are other character that have been recast, but so BRILLIANTLY that I’ve been able to accept it… I wasn’t HAPPY about Trevor St. John taking on the role of OLTL’s Todd, but he did such a stellar job that he won me over in the end… I’ll ALWAYS prefer Roger Howarth in the role, but it didn’t KILL the role of Todd for me… Another example… I HATED Carly’s first two recasts… in my opinion Tamara Braun & Jennifer Bransford were unequal to the the task of being the ever compelling Carly… Did I respect their work ethic and their talents? YES!! But they just didn’t FIT… however Laura Wright is far and away the best possible recast for Carly since it’s clear I’m never getting my SJB back in the role! THAT is how I feel…

JL is not edgy or COMPLEX enough in her delivery to be “Maxie” so I refuse to waste my time not being entertained by her watered-down version of one of my formerly beloved characters… After all, the whole point of me watching is for ME to be entertained…

I’m not full time GH viewer but whenever I do tune in and Jen Lilley is on, I find her to be very good.

Some roles are just so hard to recast once certain actors becomes so identified with those roles. Examples are Ashley and Mac on Y&R; Bo on DAYS; Lily on ATWT; Greenlee on AMC. In each of these cases, the recasts just never caught on; and except for Mac on Y&R and Lily on ATWT, the original actors returned to their roles. Sometimes, recasts are magic. Examples are Jill on Y&R; Todd on ONE LIFE TO LIVE; Carly (twice) on GH; and Kendall on AMC. Maxie just happens to be one of those very defined characters.

But U didn’t state if Maxie was one of the character recast that is magic or don’t work. U gave all these other actors as either hard to recast or magic, but didn’t say which Jen is…..

That is correct. I did not say.

Jen is the bomb. l love Jen and she is marvelous playing ths character. She brings the exact kind of energy that Kristian brought to the role, so we are missing nothing but Kristians face, there is no real big difference in the way Maxie is being played. If anyone doesn’t like her it’s because they miss Kristians face, that’s the ONLY thing it could . be. Jen is fabulous, beautiful, and talented, and I hope she stays in the role.

When Jen first appeared on GH I hated her. It was as though the writers had changed the character of Maxie somehow. Maxie was always a little bit selfish, but when Jen started playing the character it went a little overboard and that was annoying to me. When Robin died Jen stepped up to the plate and I have to say that I think she is doing a really wonderful job.

My goodness people think outside the box, she took over a role that Ms. Storms could not continue playing, lots of offstage drama going on! I can’t tell much difference the character is the same spoiled brat she has always been. Too bad they killed off Georgie now she was a great character lovely actress. Ms. Lilley seems to be portraying her as she has always been a self-centered brat.

Kirsten is and will always be the only Maxie in my eyes. I haven’t watched the show since she left and I won’t be watching again unless she returns.

Dag! I don’t believe it? I’m 49… have been watching Soaps, for what seems like my whole life. Soaps are always on…. Longevity…. so familiar with the actors. Remember when we had 13? plus shows to choose from? Now WE have 4. ? I don’t believe it… of all the mediums… Soaps have been there for me… ie: how to explain soap fans… Loyal… yes… even more so.. as they’re dissappearing… ! I don’t even bother trying to explain the Nielson ratings… I’m watching my whole life. Period! LOL. why watch night time TV? whats “Prime time”… they come and go so fast… why get interested? so i’m back to soaps. Heck, even, movies, and music, arent’ what they used to be… anymore, now… whether i like the stories, or not… it’s the actors, i like… enjoy watching. we had 13 plus shows filled with good… excellent actors… I miss them. ATWT, was my all time favorite… Miss the snyder farm and Emma’s brood. next up is DAYS… sorry to hear that carrie and austin are gone again… austin made me laugh.. and carrie is part of a strong family… she clicked with rafe, sammi, and marlena. anyway, started watching GH because of Robin and Patrick…. ie: the New Maxie… is working for me… took awhile… she’s made the role hers, with the excellent Robin storyline… i commented a while back that she needed to soften her look… too severe, the eye liner and bright red lipstick… she looks more calm. as for adding OLTL actors… roger howarth was excellent foible for sonny… watching him and carly together.. was like Too much information…. sexy. Jen – if you read this… haven’t seen this much uproar in a long time… it speaks volumes that you’ve made it.

I should say… Kirsten Storms succeeding in two very likeable roles…. Days – “Belle”… and GH’s – “Maxie”. Now thats good…. ie: recasts are hard and difficult for any actor… and a favorite actor creating a new role is even better.

After all this months as Maxie, still can’t stand her and hope she leaves to do movies And get off Gh. Until then FF button.

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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