General Hospital
Bradford Anderson Addresses GH Fans On Last Minute Spinelli Switch: "My Plea To You Is To Be Compassionate, Understanding & Appreciative Of Whatever Decisions They Made."
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
GH fan favorite, Bradford Anderson took to his facebook page in the last 24 hours to address some of the outcry and negativity from fans of the ABC soap opeea who were disheartened to learn that Anderson could not play upcoming episodes as the beloved character of Spinelli, and thus was replaced by another talented actor, former DAYS star, Blake Berris.
Anderson clearly relates in his post that an opportunity arose for him to appear on one of his all time favorite dramas Homeland, and it was his decision to back out of taping GH at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict that quickly arouse. He askes GH fans to support General Hospital’s casting decision and get behind Berris.
Here is what Bradford shared: “Hey all! So I’m appearing in a couple episodes of the upcoming season of Homeland on Showtime! It’s a show that I’ve watched and loved since it began, so to be working on it is pretty exciting. The unfortunate part is that it conflicted with some episodes of GH that I was supposed to do, and I had to back out of those episodes. To make it even worse, it all happened last minute. I put GH in a very difficult position and for that I am incredibly sorry.
GH took whatever steps they needed to proceed without me. My plea to you is to be compassionate, understanding, and appreciative of whatever decisions they made. If anything looks or sounds different than you’re used to, understand that it’s because of a decision that I made. The situation was created by ME.
I know some might rush to negativity, but I’d like to urge everyone to think about how unique our genre is, and how soaps truly embody the spirit of ‘the show must go on’. To give you an idea of hard GH had to work, they learned on a Friday that I wouldn’t be there to film on Monday. Imagine having to find an actor to play Spin in an important storyline, OVER A WEEKEND. And just wait til you see who they found… The perfect choice. I for one can’t wait to watch. I’d like to apologize to everyone at GH and thank them for being understanding of my predicament. SO thank you all for your continued support of me, for sending as much positivity to GH and it’s actors…and for WATCHING!! Love and thanks, Bradford.”
So, what did you think of Anderson’s hearfelt post? Can you now support GH’s decision on casting Berris, who deserves a shot at filling in for Anderson? Comment below.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.
Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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What an awesome guy. I appreciate him stepping up like that. I’ve watched GH for 39 years. Recasting Spinelli will not changed that. Good luck on Homeland!
What a classy response – it just makes me love and appreciate Bradford more.
I hope he enjoys his stint on Homeland and will be back at GH in the future.
Blake is only filling in for Bradford so that’s not to say Bradford won’t be playing Spinelli the next time they want to bring the character back for a short stint. It really isn’t a big deal anyway since Bradford wasn’t under contract to the show.
Best of luck to Bradford on the new part. You will be missed, but no one should take issue with you pursuing new roles. I just hope you are available to return for the next round!
Wonder if he’ll return as Spinelli in the future.
i supported gh’s decision from the beginning because blake berris is a phenomenal actor – since bradford was not available i believe that gh did what they had to do to keep the show moving…………………..jmo
Well said Bradford! However the actor selected is taller and very handsome missing your perfectly timed quirks! No disrespect intended to you or Blake!
Classy!
I know fans can often be mean about recasts, even temporary ones. But I think what Bradford needs to understand is that many fans are frustrated by GH’s poor plotting and writing and are also still upset by the recent recast of Nickolas. It’s not that the actor who replaced Tyler wasn’t good, it’s that they chose to kill off a legacy character with a recast. And then Nickolas didn’t get so much as a funeral or a flashback sequence while we’ve been mourning Morgan for three months now. Spinelli appears only sporadically on GH. It’s silly to recast him. If Spinelli is being brought on for his computer wiz skills, then Blake could have been introduced as a friend and colleague of Spinelli’s who is helping out while Spinelli is on holiday with Ellie and Georgie. Seems to me it would not require a major rewrite to do that. If Spinellinis being brought back as moral support for one of his friends then, let’s face it, having Blake play out those emotional scenes – no matter how good an actor he is – won’t have nearly the same impact.
To be fair here’s a recast that did work for me: Molly as Maxie. But that’s a permanent character whose portrayer went out unexpectedly and I could see where major rewrites would have been near impossible. Plus Molly dis a really, really good job with the character.
Remember it is more than a rewrite here– if he told them Friday, when filming was to start Monday– that is all the behind the scenes blocking, the staging , the camera shots, the lighting design– the shooting schedule– all of it either had to be tossed or redone– which would be A MAJOR expense–those types of things cannot be changed so easily, and overtime it might of cost while they did, boy oh boy– it was simply cheaper to hire someone to come in and do the scenes rather than scrap everything. People think it is just about changing some words in the script, but there so much more to production than that. If they had a month notice perhaps they would have time to change stuff around, but honestly, a weekend notice– what choice did he give them. Fans sometimes forget it is called show business– because it is a business– this isn’t about him, this is about costs and what was the cheapest solution to his sudden conflict– which was cause by him ditching his GH gig for a better gig–
Well said Mary SF!!! Kudos to Blake to be able to memorize his lines in extreme short notice!
So the fact that GH had a weekend to deal with this means nothing? Re-writing IS a big deal.
Class act.
It’s sad how some ‘fans’ behaved but oh well. I think the actor stepping in is all kinds of awesome and I will enjoy his interpretation of the role.
I don’t understand not giving someone a chance. Steve Burton isn’t coming back to GH and Michelle Stafford isn’t going back to Y&R. They’ve moved on and if you love those shows then you need to support them
Very well said Tomas and I agree with you 100%…THANK YOU to GH, Bradford and Blake. I want to support ALL our actors, actress, executive producers, writers along with ALL behind the scenes employees of ALL our soaps, I APPRECIATE ALL that you do.
Funny you should bring up Michelle Stafford. She’s the reason I came t came to GH and I’m happy I did. I watched Y&R for 40 years and stopped after what I felt was poor treatment of my favs.. Love GH and Michelle, Billy, Maura, Roger and I finally got to see what Maurice was all about
Recasts are part of the game on daytime dramas, be they short term or permanent. To see any upset or disappointment is disappointing to me. We would not have continuing drama day to day on television without recasts. And sometimes even characters associated with particular actors need to be recast so our stories can continue. I would rather have a recast than to have something not proceed correctly. I cite a lack of a Ridge Forrester recast when Stephanie Forrester died as it never rang true that he would not be home. On GH, Spinelli is a recurring character. Love Mr. Anderson but we can move forward without him for his latest story arc.
It’s great that Bradford came out to explain what happened,and I love him for that,and what he said about the actor temporarily taking on his character..Very classy.I will look forward to Bradfords return to TH ,and hope he enjoys his time also on Homeland..Maybe I will try to catch him there also.He is an amazing actor,and I know he will be great ..
<3 Bradford. I wish you every happiness and am glad you got to be on Homeland, though I'll miss you as Spinelli.
Classy and kind. Love him!
Homeland !? way to go !! I love that show too. As for the argument for temp replacement I get both sides but I’m more against them I always say if they have to scramble why not just fill the air time with extended scenes with other characters .
Wonderful of you to reach out to us….Good luck on your new character! You’ll hit it out of the ballpark as always!! And a sweet Congratulations to you! Happy new Year!!
Are GH fans going to be upset now that Bradford chose another show over GH???
Wasn’t Bradford dropped to recurring status before he made decision to leave the show? Isn’t this what happens when an actor is off contract??
I’m very excited about the recast myself!!! Things happen for a reason and I believe Blake will be a great Spinnelli!
What a class act! I too enjoy Homeland, and will enjoy seeing his performance
What a classy response and nice to see it cleared up.
Sadly somehow there are still many people being negative and blaming GH and ABC for this choice when it was clearly out of their control
Blake Berris is sooooo good,people will LOVE him and I hope he stays on the show in a different role.
Folks need to understand that ABC/GH didnt create this mess, BA did,even if unintentional, and if I had the opportunity to do something that I’ve always wanted to do, I would have done the same.So Good for BA but I will enjoy Blake too because I know what he brings to the table as an actor
I didn’t understand the spew over it to begin with..
It’s only for the month of Jan. so probably 6 episoides ..
It will be fun to see a different Spin …
Great response.
WHAT A STANDUP COOL GUY…WISH YOU LUCK AND HOPE YOU WILL RETURN THE NEXT TIME GH CALLS…..
Does not matter. GH has become so violent and so depressing that I , finally, had enough.
If I canceled on a work commitment on a Friday for a Monday gig, I would not expect to work there again. We all have to make tough decisions in life, but honoring your commitments is how you maintain a professional reputation. Hopefully this won’t ruin his career and we will see him on GH again. I like the actor and the role is quirky and fun.
At least he was honest and I would have done the same thing…Homeland is a huge deal and will give him exposure with a different type audience. KUDOS to him and best of luck. Blake will fill in and I’m sure Bradford will be back someday I hope
What a class act! I bet this happens more than we know. BA taking the time to address the fans in this way really stands heads and shoulders above. Kudos to him!
Im so excited over this recast. I hope we get to see Spinelly as a major role on GH, like Kevin from Y&R. Lets give the new guy a chance. We will be surprised im sure.
Blake Berris was progressive on DAYS as a psycho but this is definitely a change for him.
We have had to endure these types of changes on GH before, remember Maxie, Nicholas, etc? Congrats to him and hoping if GH decides to bring Spinelli back in the future he will be available. Also remember he has a dynamic singing voice and could be doing Broadway. 🙂
If BA doesn’t want a contract with GH (which I fully understand) I hope they offer a contract to Blake Berris. Maxie and Spinelli were magic. She’s been back burned of late
Nick Stabile and Molly Burnett were very good as temporary recasts, some rejected the idea at the start and didn’t want to accept the change, but it worked out well in their short runs on GH with fans.
I am looking forward to seeing Blake as Spin.
Well said. The best to you. What a wonderful experience. Blake Berris is a wonderful actor. I can’t wait to see him on his take of Spinnelli.
I would rather no Spinelli than a cheap imitation. Every actor can be replaced. This one is NOT the replacement for Spinelli. Spinelli is filled with excitement on every level, from appearance to intelligence to mannerism. This actor is as flat as a flat tire. Keep looking. Good luck, he’ll be difficult to replace.
Hey Brad, please please don’t quit playing the role of Spanish!!!! I have watched GH since 1984. Or longer….. I don’t know if you watch GH but I also watch Days and killing the character “”Nick” off was the best decision!!!! No one can play the part like you EVER!!!! And sorry but old Nick sucks at it… I cried when you first saw Jason and made the comment about his build and butt!! No one can be Smart, Funny, walking encyclopedia but you sir!!!! They need to kill the character off if YOU don’t do the part!!!