General Hospital
Chad Duell Addresses Rory Gibson ‘Stepping in’ to the Role of GH’s New Michael Corinthos
Being a recast on a soap opera is not easy for the actor coming into a role, especially when they may not be familiar with it while getting to know their new , or when called upon to deliver high-emotional impact moments when you just started. Both Chad Duell and Rory Gibson know a thing or two about it, since both have been recasts, and for Gibson, now two times over, in his daytime career.
When Chad Duell made the decision to exit General Hospital as Michael Corinthos late last year due to personal reasons, at the time, and in the positioning by the show, it appeared that the door was left open for when Chad was ready to return. In fact, to facilitate Duell’s exit, the series burned Michael’s body up pretty badly when he was caught in an explosion in Sonny’s penthouse. However, the show did not burn up Michael’s face.
Fast-forward several months later, Rory Gibson was cast as the new Michael. Since Gibson’s debut back in the middle of May, he has been an anomaly in soaps, where fan reaction to him in short order was swift and positive. Now, for the first time since Chad was recast as Michael, he shared his thoughts on the matter, during an Instagram live on Thursday, June 26, and to connect with his fans.
Photo: ABC
It marked the first time publicly that Duell spoke on his GH recast, expressing: “I wanted to give a little bit of grace to the new person (Rory Gibson) stepping in. I didn’t want it to be all about me … I just wanted it to be a smooth transition and it worked out so well, with him … so I’ve heard.”
Chad fully empathized what Rory was stepping into coming onto the legacy soap opera as a recast, adding, “When I started, it was more of an intense transition on my end. I didn’t have months in between … it was like, one day, boom, the next.” He added, “I’m glad it’s working out, though.”
Photo: ABC
In addition, Chad clarified what was going on behind the scenes with him that precipitated his departure: “I just needed a bit of a break. So, I just needed to step away. For how long, we don’t know. So, that’s really where that stemmed from. That’s where I wanted to give them (GH) enough notice so they can write a story out for Michael, which is the fire thing. So I’m glad I did that. I didn’t want to wait until the very week beforehand to say, ‘Hey! I’m gonna step away for a bit.’’
Photo: ABC
Mental health challenges also played into the need to exit, especially after his father passed away, “I couldn’t get myself going. I’d wake up dragging, go to work, and just feel and look tired.”
The Daytime Emmy-winning actor, played Michael Corinthos for 15 years beginning in 2010 till early 2025.
So, what do you think of Chad Duell’s comments on Rory Gibson being his successor in the role of ‘General Hospital’s’ Michael Corinthos? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I think he could have been a bit more flattering
He was hoping everyone would miss him and complain, but it’s the best recast in soap opera history. New Michael is excellent. We knew Chad has been phoning it in for a while.
Best recast in soap history is a big stretch, Douglass Watson was a recast, Don Hastings was a recast, Marg Dusay was a recast, Susan Seaforth was a recast and I could go on
Even on GH, Leslie Charleson, Genie Francis, and Wally Kurth are recasts for starters each in the role 30+ years after taking it over.
Don’t get me wrong, Rory is doing quite well.
And Kassie DePaiva took over for Mia Korf as Blair Kramer on OLTL. She turned out to be a great Blair but initially the dramatic transformation left viewers puzzled.
Thanks for that history for yes, they all were fantabulous! But I do have to agree that Rory’s entry has been seemless!
I had no idea Douglass was a recast he was such a darling on Another World. Vicky Wyndham was a recast! She replaced Robin Stresser who was a recast as Dorian Lord. Interesting!
right you are.
Completely agree. I always liked Duell’s Michael, but Mr Gibson is fantastic. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s incredibly handsome (yes, I’m gay. As a good amount of GH’s fan base is).
Good for you! A number of the GH actors over the years have been as well.
Rory is going a great job. But guess what if Chad wants to come back someday I hope it happens. Why don’t you people who think Chads character as he portrayed Michael was boring or that he couldn’t act. Why don’t you guys look back on every single thing he’s done in the last 15 years. All access to her respect. It’s one thing to welcome a new Actor, but it’s another thing to trash the actor that was replaced. Actors read comments that are put out there on them good or bad. They also have family and friends that read this stuff. Why don’t you learn to be respectful? This goes to anybody on all social networks.
I like Rory but it’s a different version if the character good but different. I think they could have waited a bit longer for Chad. There were many characters Rory could have played. Either way they are both good
I think if Chad did come back, Rory would make an excellent Nikolas. Same dark good looks, same brooding behavior. Just sayin, we could keep both actors.
Rory would make an excellent Nikolas!! I never thought of that
Rory is doing a terrific job; the additional months allowed him to hone the character even more than in his temporary earlier performances as Michael. Another great recent recast has been with Alexa as Lulu.
I do not like the new Lulu at all! I think both “Michaels” Chad and Rory did and are doing a great job!
That wasn’t him in the temp earlier performances. It was a different actor.
I don’t believe Chad was hoping that for one second. Chad gave 15 long years to GH. He did a great job. He left on good terms and is missed. The new guy is doing a great job and is a great recast. Chad has many friends on that show. Sad you speak badly of him. Many fans love him. I certainly do and wish him the best.
I think he knows he needed and wanted the break but feeling a bit of regret and a bit dejected. It’s human to want to be told no one can fill your shoes. He’s been Michael for fifteen years; that’s his fictional family. Yet the recast was accepted and raved about immediately; some even said they preferred Rory. Not me; I prefer Chad in the role. So, I think just like actors who smile and applaud when someone else wins the award, he’s putting on a happy face for the audience and inwardly screaming, lol.
Completely Agree!
The message I heard seemed to be Chad saying that Rory is doing a good job holding down the fort until he’s ready to come back. I do not want another Billy Miller- Steve Burton situation.
Duell doesn’t have the gravitas that Burton has. The switch in Michaels is more like the switch of Carlys – as both Sarah Brown and Tamara Braun came back to GH – but with completely different characters.
I thought Chad’s comment was classy, but someone will always pick apart what people say or don’t say on these forums.
Completely Agree!
I hope they keep Rory as long as he wants to stay and not do to him what they did to Billy Miller when Burton decided to return. You leave your choice. GH should never take job away from recast unless they choose to leave.
Nobody could replace Billy miller nobody they have literally destroyed the character of Drew I have not watched since Billy left but shame on them for destroying his character and shame on them for destroying the character of Sam!
Well, that’s not likely because Mikey was born on screen, so nobody’s going to believe he had a secret twin brother. Susan Moore was out of town when Jason was born, so that made her having twins slightly plausible, even if it’s a bit much to think tha Alan (a doctor) wouldn’t have known she was carrying twins.
Saying “GH should never take a job away from a recast” would’ve left us with Jed Allan miscast as Edward, Sandra Ferguson as Felicia, and Lesli Kay as Lois. We’d also would’ve missed out on Tyler Christopher’s great second run as Nikolas.
I was intrigued by the direction they took “Jason” under Miller, but thought he had more unexplored potential as Drew.
agree!!! Billy was a great actor and could of and should of made Drew his own. Sad…
How tacky to comment about it. Recasts have been enormously successful on many soaps and no one will miss him that much.
To be fair, he was asked his opinion about the recast. I think he was trying to be as diplomatic as possible.
Very appropriate. Wish him all the best! Relatable as well. Feel his pain.
Chad acts like he is coming back. These actors think they can walk away and expect them to hold the job open. Guess what, everyone loves Rory as Michael. He caught right on. Sorry Chad.
I agree. The new guy is a better fit.
I agree!!!!! Rory is the man!!!!
Chad chose to leave. Sounds like he wanted them to wait for him to come back. Nu Michael is wonderful!!
Chad will always be my favorite Michael and I miss him but Rory is doing an amazing job
No one is holding a place for Chad.
Rory is fabulous and Chad hasn’t been in years
So it goes
Chad chose to leave. The character of Michael is too important for the role to be left open for too long. The show must go on. Love Rory.
Please do not keep the door open for Chad. He made his decision- now Rory has won the hearts of fans. He is SO much better than Chad. Sounds like veiled sour grapes over his decision. Too bad Chad.
I prefer CD over RG
As much as I love Chad and didn’t think anyone could do Michael justice, Rory is doing it! I have nothing but to say about either one of them.
I think Chad was very respectful in his comments.
I really believe that Rory is doing a much better job. The last couple of years Chad seemed to be just phoning it in. I’m hoping that Rory is now the permanent Michael. He is SO GOOD in the part!
Somehow this thread took off into insinuating that Rory is temporary or he will be replaced if Chad wants to return.
Chad is not Steve Burton, James DePaiva nor Rebecca “the real Greenlee” Budig.
Kudos to Rory and the writers for a smooth introduction.
Like them both but want Chad to come back please
I love Chad! No One is a better Michael! I wish he would come back and I think Rory is a decent actor and should play Morgan. Whoever said that nasty thing about Chad wished we would miss him- well that person is an idiot because many of us miss the heck out of him and are waiting for him to return!!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!
In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?
Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!
Courtesy/ABC
FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS
The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!
Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?
Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’
In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.
The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.
Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”
Photo: CDuellIG
SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL
Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.
The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.
In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”
So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.
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