General Hospital
Brooke Anne Smith’s Brother Defends Her Casting as General Hospital’s Molly Lansing-Davis
Actress Brooke Anne Smith’s emergence on ABC’s General Hospital, as the latest Molly Lansing-Davis, has faced some backlash from viewers of the show. Smith made her debut on GH earlier in July replacing Holiday Mia Kriegel in the role, which had been played for years by Haley Pullos.
All of the ‘Molly’ changes have stemmed from the fact that Pullos was involved in a serious car crash collision that left the other party severely injured, and the actress now facing DUI Felony and misdemeanor charges to which she has pleaded, “Not guilty.”
When Smith appeared for the first time on the ABC soap opera in the role, many GH fans commented on her age, since online, Brooke’s age is said to be 39, while Pullos’ age is said to be 25. In defense of his sister, Brooke’s brother, Scott Smith took to the GH Official Facebook page. Scott wrote: “The only reason age is an ‘issue’ is because it’s known. She looks extremely young in real life it’s quite freaky actually. Routinely gets carded almost every time. On the show Awkward she played a 16-year-old high school student at 30!”
Although unconfirmed from GH itself, Scott claimed, “Brooke is a permanent recast, original Molly is not coming back.”
Photo: IMDb
He went on to say that Brooke has been, “an accomplished actress since 2001.” One look at Smith’s credit list and she has appeared on several television shows including: Too Close to Home with former GH star, Kelly Sullivan (ex-Kate/Connie).
As with any recast on soaps, Scott is asking fans to give the actress a chance in the role, adding, “It’s difficult for anyone trying to step into the shoes of someone that has been so integral to the show for so long.” He ended his message with, “Sincerely, A protective and proud brother. 
to all the GH fans regardless of your fav Molly 
“
So, what do you think about the sentiments Scott shared on the casting of his sister Brooke as GH’s Molly? If she is the permanent recast for the role, how would you feel about it? Are you willing to give her a chance to prove herself in the role? Comment below.
I don’t care how accomplished she is; she does not look like a 25-year-old. There are so many actresses in their 20’s and they pick a woman almost 40? I’d still love to know why they didn’t keep Holiday; I thought she was great.
Shh… Shushhh
Ummmmm; shussshhhh yourself fool. If you don’t agree, write your own damn opinion.
I agree, Rebecca. I thought the first recast Holiday was doing a fine job. Unless she wasn’t available to stay on the show permanently for some reason, I don’t know why they felt the need to change actresses again. I want to give the new actress Brooke a chance, but from what I’ve seen so far, she isn’t believable as Molly at all.
She’s doing a great job!! Give a chance!! Let’s no judge. It’s sickening to hear all this negativity!!
I don’t know the original Molly’s age and don’t care!, Have fun playing the role ,Brooke!
I totally agree! Folks, it is what it is.
It’s not giving her a chance, she really doesn’t fit the role of Molly. She looks too old to be Molly. Sorry calling a spade ♠️ a spade.. what happened to the girl before? She was more like Molly and she sounded like her too.
I sincerely hope her brother is wrong and Brooke Anne Smith is not a permanent recast… if Haley Pullos can’t return based on her personal issues, they should find someone who fits the role much better (like the actress who plays the new nanny character).
.. if since Haley Pullos obviously, definitely can’t return based on her personal issues nearly killing someone during two consecutive hit-and-runs while DUI….
For me, it’s the story. Recasts are inevitable. A bad turn in storytelling upsets the whole show.
She just isn’t a good fit. Couldn’t care less about her age. I wish GH would cut down on the cast. Too many boring characters.
I guess it’s nice that her brother defends her and all, but she’s just 666% wrong for the part, and there’s no way around that. And what’s more unbelievable is that she started the same week as the fake nanny who actually does fit the physical & age requirements for a Molly recast (temp or otherwise).
A fake nanny could easily be 40 years old. Nobody would question it. A spectacular casting fail without question. Are the casting directors on strike too?
Is it so damn hard to remember that ACTORS are also on strike? There aren’t that many available to work right now. Current soap actors work under a different contract and aren’t affected by the strike. Others, if they belong to sag/aftra union are highly unlikely to cross picket lines.
No, soap actors are on a different SAG contract, and they are not on strike.
As usual, Satan, you’ve made sense of this casting fiasco without personal attacks. The problem indeed lies with casting, not the actress, who is simply in the wrong role. As I’ve said before, even Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro get miscast. Aggravating, yes, but not new.
The one GH cast as new nanny looked more like molly. They both came on at the same time why couldn’t they have given the actress who plays the nanny Molly’s role and the actress who was playing Molly the nanny role.
I also am NOT interested in her previous accomplishments.
She is just a terrible fit for this role and I hope they go back to Holiday who was much closer to the original Molly.
No…no Holiday. She was like watching an ironing board walk across the room. She was stiff, had one expression and just seemed completely out of place with the rest of her “family”.
I agree, she looked like she is a anorexic vampire. Definitely was not good to play Molly. There was no laughter or smile in her face. The real Molly was always smiling or unless she needed to be serious When needed, but very caring and loving.
GH made a bad choice! They could of used their creative minds to select a actress pleas-able to the surrounding ages written. Now, it seems they will have to change Sam, and TJ, or make them dress older. even the other actress must be aged. Bad move GH. Now they can’t fire her on her age. Age-Discrimination kicks in.
Yeah… TJ now has a “domestic partner” older than his mother. Not to say that’s never happened, but it wasn’t what TJ actually signed on for. Haven’t him & Molly been together since they were 12 or something?
I agree % .. And they made TJ as a wishy-washie instead of a man.
He is so hen- pecked, it’s degrading. It’s nice to have him being considerate, but he’s over the top.
He is a doctor and needs to worry about his patience and not worried about his domestic partner, which is ridiculous. Also first, Molly never wanted kids now all of a sudden She’s trying because she can’t have any !!?? so ridiculous.
It’s like a slap in the face For those people in real life who can never have children. I have friends including myself Who has Andromediosis and I have 3 children and they have children. It’s time and patience, and they need to stop drinking wine and worrying doesn’t help .. Your body needs to be Relaxed
I totally agree with you. And Sam needs to put some real clothes on. She is a mother ( even though she’s Never with her kids ) and she walks around like a teenie-bopper with her boobs out !! It’s disgusting
Absolutely! This comment has often been an issue with fans. And doesn’t she have any other footwear besides black boots? A while back.when she was absent from the show, it was blamed on COVID. I think she had her lips done which looked botched.
GH is usually right on the money with casting. This time they made a mistake. She is probably a very good actress but she is very wrong for this role.
Please don’t be the permanent recast for Molly. She is such a bad actress. And think of poor PJ it it’s a horrible combination. If the original actress can’t come back please do some looking around and find another one. Someone could do a better job than this actress. The one that plays Christine isn’t doing too bad a job so I know there’s more actresses out there. Sorry I’ve been watching General Hospital for a long time and this actress just has to go. She makes me want to turn the channel when she’s doing her acting roles you know her scenes. Sorry sister
I agree. The first time I saw her my immediate thought was too old to play the part.
Not sayin she’s a bad actress but to play Molly she’s old u can tell that she’s way older than pullos they need someone that can actual role play Molly langsing but hey Scott much respect for standing up for ur sister but no matter how long she’s been in show biz that role isn’t for her sorry
The GH casting really stinks/bad–
__New Drew is a failure, Camron does not fit in the atmosphere of GH
__New Trina is the worst casting ever=terrible mistake..
__New Molly–well the Davis girls ‘all’ have a lot to be desired, they are simply not ‘all that’
and Curtis’s wife Potela whatever her name is a badly created character..
But– new Trina is the worst followed by Drew..
hhhmm perhaps no actors want to be in dying soap operas so they take what they can get, dunno
You are right on point when it comes to those actors and actresses. But GH is not failing, ABC wants them to fail But we’re not gonna let them and I’ve been watching since I was 8 yrs old so for 50 something years now I am 61 years old. I was so glad that Curtis told Porshia off and for her to get out of the room and his life Even though it’s coming from pain, but everything he said to her was true, she did lie to him for twenty years And her daughter is a winer also it is ridiculous I’m going to call them the winning duo lol Please recast them Trina is not good for Spencer and he needs to man-up instead of constantly hitting people … I really do hope that Esme does not remember and that she is not faking Because I like the good side of her and the mom side of her.
I just don’t understand how she remembers. Her son’s name is Ace if she’s not faking. Hmmmm ??? Time will tell..
I do not think it is her it is just so many recast now I cannot keep up with who is who.
The worst part of her debut was she was wearing a *very* low cut shirt with everything on display. MLD would never wear something like that.
I’m willing to give her a chance.
I really don’t know about the new Molly. At first I said No but now I’m thinking give her a chance. She is better than the last replacement. She doesn’t look 39. She look younger. At least 29.
I don’t care what her brother thinks. She is a nice looking woman but no.way in hell does she look younger than Krissy.
The first recast was just not wholesome enough to be Molly…..this one is ok, but the original Molly will be missed.
This Molly is ok. She looks young for her age. I couldn’t stand whiny squeaky-voiced original Molly. The second Molly looked like an alien but was still better than the first. THE STORY LINE SUCKS. I am disinterested in everything going on with the three sisters. Boring. Could Sam’s voice be any more drawn out and dull?! Snooze. Christina is just a dumb twit with stupid/no ambitions. The only interesting thing Molly ever did was sleep with Brando. Poor Brando…
Watching her and TJ today interviewing candidates for surrogacy I could not stand that baby, whiny voice coming from that older woman playing Molly. Almost as bad as Felicia, but I’ve gotten used to HER! There will be a lot of FF as this SL proceeds.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’
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