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Bryan Craig Talks Javi In ‘Grand Hotel’, Recasting GH’s Morgan, And His Post-Daytime Career

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

When Grand Hotel finally makes its highly-anticipated debut this summer (Monday night, June 17th) on ABC, soap opera fans will see some very familiar faces in primo roles as this sudsy drama, based on the Spanish seriesĀ Gran Hotel, tells the story of a family-owned hotel in Miami, the people who run it, and all of the secrets they keep from one another.

Brought to you by executive producers Eva Longoria and Ben Spector, the show explores the family dynamic of the Mendoza family. Longoria herselfĀ will play a mother in four episodes of the show, as well.

General Hospital fans will take note that Daytime Emmy-winner, Bryan Craig (Ex-Morgan Corinthos) is front and center in the cast as Javi Mendoza, the troubled son of the family who has some major obstacles in front of him.

Michael Fairman TV caught up with Craig during the recent ABC TCA’s Press Tour for the network to get some insight into his new role, how he would feel if GH would recast the role of Morgan (he recently propped up former DAYS star Billy Flynn as a potential viable candidate) and what it has been like post-daytime in his burgeoning career in film and TV.Ā  Here’s what he had to say about his TV life past and present.

What has this experience been like for you taping the episodes of Grand Hotel and working with such a stellar cast?

BRYAN:Ā  It’s been incredibleĀ  Ā It feels like it went by so fast.Ā  It’s an awesome group of people.Ā  We’ve got a fun show.

How would you say your character of Javi Mendoza stacks up against GH’s Morgan Corinthos?

BRYAN:Ā Ā I think it’s one of the most layered characters that I’ve ever played.Ā  There’s a lot going on with Javi.Ā  HeĀ has a big disability, kind of like Morgan did.Ā  It’s a physical disability, and there are a lot of challenges that come along with that.Ā  He also has a substance problem.Ā  So, some of the same issues and in the same world that Morgan was in.Ā  Javi is a very troubled character, but he is also a lot of fun, and a ladies’ man … and sleeps with a lot of women! (Laughs)

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Do you think the audience will care for Javi, though?Ā Ā 

BRYAN:Ā  Oh yeah,Ā one hundred percent.Ā  He was written in a very kind-hearted manner.Ā  He’s a great guy, who has had a tough life.

Did they put you through a audition process to nab the role in Grand Hotel?

BRYAN:Ā Ā TheyĀ had read hundreds and hundreds of people for this role.Ā  I came in at the tail end of it, and then the process went pretty quickly.Ā  I read once, and the next think I knew, I was in a room with Eva Longoria and director, Ken Olin.Ā  Then two days later, I was testing with Eva, and then I got the call that I had the part.

You’re a part of the core family, the Mendozas, on Grand Hotel, and on GH, you were part of the Corinthos clan.Ā  How do the family dynamics stack-up?

BRYAN:Ā  It’s pretty special.Ā  There are a lot of similarities.Ā  It feels like we have kind of shifted GH into prime-time.Ā  In Grand Hotel, we haveĀ DemiĆ”n Bichir, who plays Santiago Mendoza, and he is my Sonny Corinthos now.Ā  Ā They gave us a very heavy, heavy storyline … just like they gave Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) and me.Ā  Ā So, I think the fans are really going to buy into it.Ā  Ā ABC,Ā (I think) wanted to marry that bond a little bit, and I feel it was very apparent in the writing.Ā  This network has been very good to me.

Courresy/ABC

Did you know that your co-star Denyse Tontz was in Prospect Park’s All My Children reboot as Miranda Montgomery and had a soap past, as well?

BRYAN:Ā  Yes! I did know that.Ā  Denyse plays my sister on Grand Hotel and we work together a lot on the show.Ā Ā There were quite a few people on the show who came from soaps.Ā  Even some guest stars who came in were big in soap at points.

So, this kind of allĀ  worked out for you!Ā  You left General Hospital, and landed a major primetime series, plus your other movie roles!

BRYAN:Ā  It was a scary move, but it worked out.Ā  I did a few things; a couple of movies, and I did a show for CW for a while, and then this.Ā  So, it’s been back-to-back.Ā  I’ve been fortunate.

Courtesy/ABC

How would you feel if General Hospital, ultimately, recast the role of Morgan?

BRYAN:Ā  You know, if it was to behoove the show, then so be it.Ā  Ā I feel like it was a pretty nice end for me there, but I can’t sit here and be selfish and be like, ā€œI’m the last person who could play that role!ā€Ā  Would that be awesome?Ā  I mean, yeah!Ā  But, who knows?Ā  They’ve got to do what’s best for the show.

GH’s Maurice Benard had great story in 2018 with the Alzheimer’s storyline involving Sonny’s dad, Mike Corbin (Max Gail).Ā  Had you been checking it out at all?

BRYAN:Ā Ā I know!Ā  Ā I do keep up with Maurice a lot.Ā  Ā We are good friends.

To remind those who have not seen the trailer to Grand Hotel check it out below.Ā  Will you be watching Bryan in his exciting new role on Grand Hotel? Will you be OK with a Morgan recast on GH, or hope the show will wait for Bryan to return one day? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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I think the Morgan ship has sailed. Morgan is dead. Why does everyone else lose a child on this show (Bobbie, Felicia, Scotty, Monica, etc etc) and Sonny and Carly just keep getting more? If Morgan comes back alive…then that negates the message that Sonny’s criminal lifestyle is dangerous. I don’t see a place for a returned Morgan. It would be forced and contrived and awkward. I’m still waiting for it to come out that Morgan was Avery’s father though. I vividly remember the scene where Carly had complete access to the paternity test. I think she changed the result to Sonny being the father for a few reasons. One, to protect Morgan from Ava. Two…to protect Avery…Morgan was unstable at best. Three…to keep the child from Ava. As grandparents, they would have very few legal options. Keep Morgan dead.

I agree with you, Colin….I can’t even imagine a pregnant Carly—-more focus on this irritatingly overbearing woman. However, Laura may be expecting in real life.
And, speaking of babies, methinks Willow has one on her mind….with Chase? Will she blindside him?

Wow really? It is possible but Carly yeah possible

Wow I can’t wait to see this show.. Great cast from what I could see.

Wow cant wait its going to be great and Bryan is going to slay it so proud and yes he is right if they recast morgan that will be fine its time ABC you ROCK fro Elizabeth Harrison

The GH fans never liked Bryan and the character of Morgan BUT if you cast a good actor and have him return with Kristen Alderson in a new role, I’m in!

GH fans liked Bryan as Morgan just fine. As far as Kristen Alderson goes, the only people who liked her were the OLTL fans. Pre 2/2012 GH fans never could stand that whiny little twit, and resent the way she was thrown in our faces as if she was meant to replace Robin Scorpio, literally forcing her on screen the same day Robin allegedly “died”. It was a horrible mistake…. like all the other OLTL related dragonshit that Frank & ReRon forced into the show.

Your evilness, perhaps the GH fans in hell liked Morgan but us here on earth didnt like him! But anyway, I agree with you about most of Frankie boys OLT buddies coming on the show for no purpose whatsoever but I do think Ms. Buchanan is serviceable.

PS: Nobody can replace our Robin!

Heeeey Timmm,
I luvs and miss Morgan/Bryan .
He’s the only reason I’ll tune in to Grand Hotel.. šŸ™‚

Hey suOOO
Just happen to see this, and wondering if you have been watching. I love it and Bryan’s new role. It is a nighttime soap, in most ways, but I am really liking it.

There are a lot of GH fans that loved Bryan and thought he played the role of Morgan exceptionally well!!! I don’t think anyone else could do the role justice !!!
Congrats on the new show Bryan .

You are probably right. Unless they could afford to hire a cardboard cutout!

Keep Morgan dead…enough said!!!!

Recast Morgan already! Bryan is gone, bye bye let him move on, so Morgan can renite with the Corthinios

There will be a new Morgan in town by the time Carly’s baby drops. You can bet your soul on it!

^^^ this is why the Corinthos’ remain dead.. along with piss ass writing .. courtesy of Shelly AND Chris

@GH is NOT taking the Nielson 18-49 women or any demographic

you have to MOVE away from Sonny and Carly

I could care less if they bring back Morgan. I didn’t like Bryan Craig in the part, but I’m loving him on the other GH.
After Sonny and Carly read what the sex of their baby is, was it ever revealed, or did I miss it? Of course, boy or girl, they will call it Morgan.

I always wanted him back on Gh, however I like him on Grand hotel too. Just glad he is back!

does Bryn Craig really have a prosthetic leg?

I really don’t think so Carol. The fans wood surely know it, wooden they? LOL, sorry, bad joke.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Kelly Monaco Reveals She’s Six Months Sober

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Kelly Monaco

Longtime General Hospital favorite, Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall), took to her Instagram on Tuesday, September 15 and shared that she is six months, seven days sober from alcohol. Monaco played Sam for 21 years on the ABC soap opera.

Accompanied by a screenshot from the I Am Sober app that tracks the progress of anyone struggling with or trying to not drink, Monaco wrote, ā€œNow the whole 6/7 thing makes sense! #duces.”

Monaco has kept a very low profile since her final episode on General Hospital aired back on October 30, 2024, when Sam had a shocking heart attack and died. It was later revealed that Daytime Emmy nominee, Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault) injected Sam’s IV with a fatal dose of digitalis.

Photo: JPI

KELLY MONACO HAS KEPT MORE TO HERSELF SINCE LEAVING GH

This year, Kelly has posted on her Instagram account a total of four times, most recently to celebrate her mother, Carmina’s birthday, who turned 70 just four days ago.

Jumping into the comment thread on Kelly announcing her sobriety were several of her former GH co-stars including Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny, GH) who shared, “Love this. Congrats! 👏👏👏,” Ingo Rademacher (ex-Jax, GH) who just posted the hands up and heart emojis, and Lexi Ainsworth (ex-Kristina, GH) who wrote, “So proud of you 👏 badass.”

Kelly Monaco, Dancing with the Stars

Photo: ABC

DANCING WITH THE STARS BEGINS NEW SEASON; KELLY WAS THE SEASON ONE CHAMP

With this season’s Dancing with the Stars about to kick-off tonight, in which Kelly was the first-ever celebrity winner in season one and returned for an All-Star version, might we hear from her on her picks or thoughts on this year’s batch of contestants?

One thing has remained a constant with Kelly’s unwavering fan base, they want her back on General Hospital, because as we know in the soaps, many characters somehow come back from the dead, so why couldn’t Sam?

Share your thoughts for Kelly and her six months of sobriety via the comment section below and if you would still like to see her back on General Hospital or even another soap opera within the next few years.Ā 

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A post shared by Kelly Monaco (@kelly_m23)

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Soap Alums Remembered During In Memoriam Segment at 78th Emmy Awards; Patrick Muldoon Omitted

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In Memoriam Emmys 2026

During last night’s 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, as it does every year, the television academy paid tribute to those in the industry that they’ve lost over the last year; since the previous Emmys held each year in September.

Starting with an emotional tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara by three of her co-stars, Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy and Dan Levy and Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin, the segment then dovetailed into Noah Kahan performing “Bridge over Troubled Water” as the faces and the names of those being remembered were shown on the screen.

Daytime soap alums, who either stayed in the genre for the majority of their career, or went on to primetime success as well, were honored including: Anthony Geary (Luke, GH), Hayden Panettiere (Sarah, OLTL, Lizzie, GL, Juliette, Nashville), James Van Der Beek, (Dawson, Dawson’s Creek, and Stephen, ATWT), Gil Gerard (Alan, The Doctors), June Lockhart (Mariah, GH), Patricia Crowley (Mary, Port Charles and GH), Randolph Mantooth (Clay/Alex, Loving and The City, and Richard, GH) and Jon Cypher (Alex, ATWT and Arthur, Santa Barbara).

Photo: TVAcademy

THOSE HONORED AND THOSE WHO WERE NOT

However, in a glaring omission, the producers of the In Memoriam failed to include Days of our Lives beloved star, Patrick Muldoon who played the OG Austin Reed and also Richard Hart on Melrose Place. Muldoon passed away in April of this year at 57.

After Kahan concluded his performance, a special tribute to Rob Reiner began with Jamie Lee Curtis taking to the stage to share some warm words about her late friend.

In a ironic and sad twist, Curtis shared ,ā€œLast week, Robbie won an Emmy for guest actor in a comedy series for his beautiful work on The Bear, and he now holds the record of 48 years for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father Carl Reiner, at 37 years.ā€

Reiner, who along with his wife, Michele Reiner were killed by their son, Nick Reiner, is currently awaiting a decision if he will stand trial. Prosecutors on Tuesday, shared they will not seek the death penalty if he is convicted at trial, but instead life in prison. Curtis said of Rob, ā€œHe was generous and kind and funny as hell, and a friend to all. We all miss Rob and Michele and all those we lost this year.” The Emmys then faded to black and went to commercial break.

So, were you happy to see those who you know from their work in soap operas included in the 2026 In Memoriam tribute at the Primetime Emmys? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, in case you missed it, you can watch it below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Break Up After Realizing They Can’t Trust Each Other

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Jason and Britt

Trust issues were cited as the reason for the break-up of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) on the Monday, September 14 episode of General Hospital, ending the their complicated romance once and for all.

The episode began with the pick-up of Jason and Britt’s argument over Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) at the Quartermaine boathouse. Britt is in disbelief that Jason continues to take Anna’s side, and that he will not back her up as her witness, as she wants to report Anna’s attempted murder of her to the PCPD.

Jason tells Britt that Anna had been pushed to the brink through the mental torture she’d endured while held captive at Wyndemere, and accused Britt of doing nothing to save her, when she knew exactly what was going on as she was at Wyndemere as well. Britt told Jason that she’d been a victim of Sidwell and Cullum too, and by the time she figured out what was happening to Anna, they had moved her somewhere else.

Courtesy/ABC

BELIEF SYSTEM BROKEN

Then, Jason clearly lets Britt know he doesn’t believe her version of what transpired. An enraged Britt fires back at Jason in disbelief, that he is siding with Anna instead of her, when he was on Mount Emerson and saw for himself how Anna was planning to kill her. Suddenly, Britt wants to know if Jason would have helped Anna cover her tracks, if Anna had killed her.

Next, Jason argued that Britt seemingly needs to believe Anna would have killed her when he knows deep down Anna would never have murdered her. Jason thinks Britt is trying to absolve herself of her own guilt and complicity in keeping Anna locked up.

Britt shouts ā€œYou need to believe that! Otherwise, you’d have to admit that your friend is unhinged and dangerous. And she would have killed someone you say you love!ā€ Now at a complete impasse, Britt walks out on Jason realizing they don’t trust each other and calls it quits.

Tristan

Courtesy/ABC

PICKING UP THE PIECES

Later, Jason finds Carly (Laura Wright) at the Metro Court, and while in an elevator fills her in that he doesn’t trust Britt, and that as much as he loves her, he doesn’t trust her like he does Carly. Britt is back at the hospital.

A concerned Tristan (Dean Geyer) tries to talk to her about what transpired with Anna. However, Britt clams up and walks away from any discussion.

Now in the General Hospital teaser video for the action on Tuesday, September 15,Ā  Jason ask Carly (over beers and a game of pool) ā€œWhen you lie for a living, how long before you start lying to yourself? Take a look at that below.

Let us know, are you glad that Jason and Britt finally called it quits? What about the reason that the couple broke-up, over Britt knowing about Anna being locked-up at Wyndemere and Jason not willing to back Britt about Anna trying to kill her? Is Tristan the next man for Britt? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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