General Hospital
Do You Have The "IT" Factor To Get A Role On GH? Casting Director Mark Teschner Fills Us In!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
General Hospital Casting Director and Daytime Emmy winner, Mark Teschner gives soap fans inside look, and actors who aspire to get a role on the iconic soap, a rundown of what he looks for when casting a role in Port Charles in a portion of his segment which will be seen on tomorrow’s night’s ABC News 20/20 special edition – General Hospital – The Real Soap Dish (9PMEST) with host Katie Couric!
Teschner says you have to have the “It” factor to be cast on General Hospital, and it’s more than just being sexy, beautiful and talented!
The casting wizard’s advice to those who want to get into daytime acting is , “You have to be prepared to bring it, and you better be the best actor you can be, because hundred and hundreds of actors audition for every role. And it’s not enough just to have a great look, or somebody told you should be on soaps … I don’t even know what that means!”
Watch the segment with Mark after the jump, then let us know if you think the cast of GH has the “IT” factor? And if you were auditioning for a role on GH, could you bring it? Plus, was it interesting to listen to Teschner’s advice for that inside perspective? Weigh-in!
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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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Stands Up to Brooke, ‘I Have Spent My Entire Life Sacrificing My Happiness for Yours. But No More!’
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So…us “ugly” ppl don’t have a chance.
Youd have to put an s&h in front of ‘it’ to describe my looks and no talent…if only Felix could do a makeover on me! Then he’d be forever known as a miracle worker! LMAO!!!
it’s more than “JUST” being…. “sexy” beautiful… Talented”…
COME HITHER…
read my lips… my oscar is within’ reach…..
i’m a show unto myself.
dare say… who deigns to exist with me.
east coast, central…. and Pacific…. shout out….
WRITERS… ????? WTF… ???
I hate to be snarky but I guess Mark was on vacation when they recast Kristina? A very rare casting misfire. You could tell they knew because the actress was hardly airing even when Trey was alive. The actors who play both Rafe & TJ are very good.
She was hardly airing because there was no story for her. They brought her back for the sake of bringing the character on. Waste of Lindsey’s talents.
The soap medium pisses me off with their looks. I’m tired of seeing these unrealistic men and women on my TV screen. Not everyone loves it. He seems so snide to me.
I wish they didn’t recast kids just because they were growing up a little awkward, loved Jake on Two and a Half Men, he was so relatable and funny.
Can someone please direct me… I saw the poster of gh 50th anniversary framed of the georgous “Sonny Corenthois” hope not misspelled. Anyway can not find again evev goggle. I want to purchase. And while I have u wonderful ppl. To talk to is there anyway someone can convience ” sonny to go on dancing with the stars as one of the new cast maybe next yr.!!!! Plz. I am one of his biggest fans can’t go one day without my sonny fix!!! Plx. Convience him! Tks. Wish jason was still there too…. 🙁
Please, how ignorant can one be? He’s hardly a wizard, just got lucky that’s all.
HOW DID KA GET HER JOB NO TALENT OR LOOKS AND THERE BRING HER BACK UGH. KA IS NO STARR
I am LMAO!! She irks me and agree no talent at all..
Casting directors really need to hire more actors of color for leading roles. There is still a serious lack of racial minority actors who portray lead chars. gh’s fictional town is ny based. There really should be more actors of color on gh. These chars of color should be lead roles. My opinion is that most of casting really has to do w/ an actor having the “right look”. Tons of hollywood actors used to model. An athletic scout can’t discover an athlete by going to a mall. While tons of actors are plucked from obscurity bec they have the right physical appearance. No acting experience and training is necessary for actors. Actress quevenzhane wallis portrayed a char from black poverty. Of course they cast a black child actress who is very dark skinned. Actress wallis has never had any acting experience. A child actress w/ no acting experience already has an academy award nod w/c is considered the “highest honor” for hollywood. There really is no acting experience necessary for hollywood. Anyone can act. Anyone can get cast if they have the right look for that role.
My opinion is that a lot of casting has to do w/ preserving the definitions of beauty bec anyone can act if they know their dialogue. The definitions of beauty are being limited by fashion and hollywood. Fashion magazines regularly lighten the skin of women of color. It’s the same w/ promotional pictures from hollywood tv shows. Actors of color are often made to look less like a racial minority when their skin is lightened. Its bec actors of color who are dark skinned and do not have anglo features are often considered ugly for tolerant hollywood’s “beauty standards”. A lot of racial minority actors that are cast tend to appear racially ambiguous and light skinned to conform to hollywood’s white standards of beauty.
hollywood has a horrid track record of awful casting for racial minority roles. Light skinned actress zoe saldana was hired to portray dark skinned nina simone. They didn’t hire a black actress who is dark skinned. They darkened zoe’s skin bec her skin tone can be manipulated. But her facial feautres conform to white standards of beauty compared to other black actresses.
It’s even worse for Asian american actors. The film “dragon ball” cast all the Asian american chars w/ white actors. The film “last airbender” whitewashed the lead roles and only cast dark skinned Asian american actors for villainous roles. The film “all you need is kill” cast tom cruise to portray a char who should be a Japanese soldier. The movie 21 is based on Asian american students from MIT. But majority of the cast was whitewashed. The lead char was portrayed by british actor jim sturgess. Tolerant hollywood would rather hire a dialect coach for sturgess than cast an Asian american actor to portray an Asian american char! It’s bec Asian american actors don’t confrom to hollywood’s definition of leading men. There are still no Asian american actors and actresses who are part of hollywood’s a list!
It really begins w/ the casting and writing for tv shows. There should be more racial minority writers to create racial minority chars. There really should be more racial minority casting directors who cast the right actors of color to portray chars of color.