Connect with us

General Hospital

40

Emme Rylan On Her Final GH Scenes: “Laying There Emotionless While My Amazing Costars Cried Over My Comatose Body Was One of the Hardest Acting Challenges EVER!”

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Courtesy/ABC

If you watched Tuesday’s episode of General Hospital, you witnessed an emotional and heartbreaking episode where friends, family, and loved ones had to say their goodbyes to Lulu Spencer (Emme Rylan) before she is transferred to a long-term care facility to be looked after following her brain injuries and surgery which left her in a coma.

This was to mark the last scenes of Emme Rylan who has exited the series after being let-go.  In story, viewers watched as Nikolas (Marcus Coloma), Maxie (Kirsten Storms), Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), Tracy (Jane Elliot) and a grief-stricken Laura (Genie Francis) sat by Lulu’s hospital bedside telling her they will be waiting for her to wake up, as the agonize over the gravity of the situation.

On Wednesday, Rylan took to social media to tell her fans how difficult it was for her to tape those scenes, when she expressed: “Laying there emotionless while my amazing costars cried over my comatose body was one of the hardest acting challenges EVER! They don’t exactly have you practice that in acting school (Thank u to everyone that noticed).”

In response former GH star Ryan Paevey (Ex-Nathan) who also went through a similar on-screen situation when his character was killed-off tweeted back to Em: “I 100% agree and understand, haha.”

The episode gave  Genie Francis a fantastic palette to play and reminded everyone why she is one of the greatest icons of the genre.

So, what did you think of Emme’s statement on trying to get through those difficult scenes as played by her co-stars?  Share your thoughts below.

40 Comments

40 Comments
oldest
newest

All of the performances this week were phenomenal, but Genie Francis really stole the show. Laura is the beating heart of GH and Genie turned in one powerful performance after the next. Stories like this are made for her acting chops, and I really hope she wins an Emmy for her work this week. No one brings the tears, heartbreak and rage like she does.

I’m also very thankful they aren’t killing off Lulu. I’ve never been a fan of Emme Rylan in the role, and the way they’ve written the character these last few years has gotten on my nerves. Hopefully they’re able to lure Julie Berman back to the show, but if not, maybe they can bring in Stephanie Gatschet as a recast?

So agree, Jimmy! Genie is the beating heart of GH–and a luminous actor.

JMB will give me a reason to fast forward some scenes. I was not a fan! I preferred Emme in the role.

Thank you!!! I like JB juat fine….but she was very overrated!!

Jimmy
Stephanie Gatschet? What a surprisingly good choice. Loved her on GL, but I wonder about her age, will have to check, she might be a little older for the role of Lulu.

Jimmy, just checked the ages, Stephanie is 37 and Emme is 40.

Does anyone know why Emme left the show? I never did read any explanation.

It wasn’t her choice to leave, she was let go.

Wasn’t her choice.

She was let go. From what I understand, it was not her choice.

It is my understanding she was fired. Terrible way to treat the daughter of Legacy parents!

Emme was let go, they fired her.

There was really no reason given other than ABC amd GH brass probably wanted to free up money that all 4 actors had. Again, just speculating.

I think it all comes down to money. Fire Emme and then at a later date hire another actor to take on the role of Lulu for less money.

Genie Francis was phenomenal in her scenes. I’ll miss Emme especially since they brought Dante back. In all honesty, I don’t understand the number of people that were let go. Is it $$$ or a change of direction? Disappointing.

It was budget related. An overinflated contract cast of 32 is tough to maintain in normal times, let alone Covid.

Ryland and deVry are the only 2 contract players dismissed so far. With Lulu gone, there is no need for Dustin on the canvas. And Dev was a character that was never fully explored, despite being on the show for 2 years. Neither Mark Lawson, nor Ashton Arbab were on contract, so there’s no real savings there (as recurring, they have no guarantee, benefits and only get paid on the episodes in which they appear.)

As for Dante, Lulu’s departure opens up storyline possibilities along with new romantic interests.

When more contract performers are eventually let go, the character of Lulu can return, be it Ryland, Julie Berman (most likely) or a recast.

Wow! Just when I thought GH couldn’t get any better than what it did with Mike’s death, the last couple of episodes proved me wrong! Outstanding performance and writing all the way around. Not sure why she is leaving, but wish her well. Side note Genie Francis and Maura West you need to enjoy them because these kind of daytime actresses come along only one in a lifetime.

Give me Genie: West, not so much! A bit strident.

For me Maura West is the only reason to watch GH.

I like them both, as for Maura West I believe she has won 3 emmy’s and been nominated for about 6 or so. She too me will always be amazing and can play any range. She was great on As the World Turns too!

Now pls return to y n r where you are very missed as Abby Newman

NOOOOO! I didn’t like Emme as Abby. I like Melissa Ordway as Abby!
I haven’t heard anything about MO leaving Y&R, have you?

I doubt she will go back there. Maybe she could join DAYS

Story mentioned Ryan Paevey (Nathan) sent an understanding tweet to Emma since GH killed him off, too. For those of us who watch the Hallmark Channel for feel-good relief we see him there as he has bounced back as the love interest in many of their stories.

Just to be clear, Paevey made the decision to leave GH. Emme was let go.

And yes, he has established quite a nice niche as a Hallmark regular.

Gawd, I don’t think that I would’ve gotten thru those final scenes just laying there like Emme did.

I’m sure covid has a major influence on the budget. They’re cancelling shows because of production costs. I was kind of surprise they left Liz out of this. She’s known her since she was a child and was her sister-in-law.

How about Kate Mansi as the new Lulu if Emme or Julie don’t return. I think Mansi definitely has the spunk to be Lulu Spencer

Please no! I didn’t care for her as Abby. That said, last I read she doesn’t want to do a soap full time.

Genie is everything, the fact the show is not centered around her and her family astounds me. Sonny and Carly are not the heart of the show

Fantastic performances! Emme will be missed! I hope they bring her back quickly.

Rodd
Don’t hold your breath. If they wanted her bad enough, they would have kept her and not let her go.

Genie Francis gave an acting master class in this week’s episodes. What an absolute thrill to watch. They ought to just give her the Emmy now. No one has or is going to come close to that performance.

Dominic Zamprogna was great too. His face conveyed so much in those scenes. I like the dark, pained Dante he is bringing.

Genie Francis gave an acting master class in this week’s episodes. She is an absolute joy to watch and so talented. Give her the Emmy now – no one has done/will do better this year.

Sorry, I will not miss this version of Insipid Lulu. However, I do wish that the Parking Lot Poet was comatose instead.

Genie Francis gave an acting master class in this week’s episodes. What an absolute thrill to watch. They ought to just give her the Emmy now. No one has or is going to come close to that performance.

Why on earth would they let her go, she has been a long time favorite on the show. They bring Dante back just do do this?? That is wrong on so many levels. Terrible what are the writers thinking. They leave Scott Baldwin on. He is the worst actor & take Lulu away. I have been watching this show since the beginning. Yes I am older than dirt. I have seen people come & go however this shouldn’t have happened bad timing. Where Dustin was eliminated and Dev too.

It was a sad scene but a great one. I just hope they’ll bring her back in the future the same way they did Michael.

The Powers That Be need to listen to your real fans. The fans that will tell you when you make stupid decisions like letting go of Emme and Will. Trust me when I tell you, the harpees that are already talking recasts will watch whatever drivel you write for them because they are sheep. But if you start letting go legacy characters and established actors for less expensive (lets just say it: cheaper) then you get what you get. Soaps are not the powerhouses they used to be. As fans we have made concessions for cost cutting measures. Keep cutting and you’ll cut your fans out too. If you cut too many beloved actors and introduce too many rookies we might as well just try a new show with that many new characters. You want to save money? Get some better as sales reps and some less expensive writers looking to cut their teeth in daytime. At this point, you could hold a reality show contest to write for your soap and make some money there. Think out of the box Fairman and get it done without ax’ing your talent.

General Hospital

Could Justin Bruening Join ‘General Hospital’? Set Visit with Wife Alexa Havins Stirs Fan Hopes

Published

on

By

Justin Bruening and Alexa Havins

Several famous couples met on All My Children; one of which is Justin Bruening (ex-Jamie Martin) and Alexa Havins (ex-Babe Carey, now Lulu Spencer, GH). The two met on the soap and married back in 2005 and share four children together. Fast forward to 2026 and Havins, who is currently in the middle of Lulu’s legal battle with Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), received a visit from her hubby on the set of the ABC soap opera.

Bruening took to his Instagram to share his visit to Port Charles with a series of very cute photos of the couple, which then lead fans to hope that a Justin sighting could potentially lead to a role on the show!

Taking to his social media, the first photo was captioned, “I’m lost….Can someone point me in the direction of a good hospital?” Next, Justin selected a pic with himself and his wife, sharing, “Oh! Here’s someone! Lulu, you say? Hmmm….That’s weird…you look familiar. Have we met?” In a follow-up photo, Bruening commented, “You’re cute….. What are you going to do with the rest of your life? I’m thinking……… 4 kids? House in the burbs? 1,001 pets?”

Photo: JPI

FROM PINE VALLEY TO PORT CHARLES

Then, Bruening included a photo of himself in front of the photo of his former on-screen brother, Michael E. Knight (ex-Tad, AMC) who now plays Martin Grey on General Hospital.

Taking to the comment thread was Alexa Havins’ on-screen son, Finn Carr (Rocco Falconeri) who shared, “This is amazing!” In addition to many fans who now hope that Justin might one day soon join the cast of GH.

“Does this mean you’re coming on GH or just visiting your beautiful wife,”expressed one fan. Another wrote, “Ooh, any chance we’re getting a cameo? Tell Alexa she’s my fave on the show.” Another had a casting idea, “Make Justin Bruening a Dillon Quartermaine recast!”

Alexa Havins played Babe from 2003-2007 on the beloved ABC soap opera, while Bruening played Jamie from on and off from 2003-2011 when the series was canceled by ABC.

Since his days in Pine Valley, Bruening has appeared on primetime in series including, Ravenswood, Grey’s Anatomy, and Sweet Magnolias.

Justin recently wrapped The Other Side of the Window, a thriller where the loglines share: “CEO Elise Dufoe must work with unconventional allies to clear her name after her husband dies mysteriously and she is framed for financial crimes.” The feature is said to be in post-production.

So, did you love seeing Justin and Alexa together in the new pics? Would you like to see Justin land a role on GH? If so, who should he be cast as? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Preview: Genie Francis Talks Historic Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Laura and Longtime Co-Star Tony Geary

Published

on

By

Genie Francis

On Friday, October 30, Genie Francis will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremonies. Ahead of her honor, Genie sat down with Extra host and Dancing with the Stars judge, Derek Hough to discuss her legendary soap career and enduring on-screen partnership with the late Anthony Geary (ex-Luke Spencer).

Speaking of joining GH as a young Laura Vining when she was just 14, Francis admitted,  “It was so scary, I mean you don’t know what you don’t know. If I really knew what I was in for I would have been terrified.”

Genie will be presented with her Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband of 40 years, actor and director, Jonathan Frakes.

Genie Francis

Courtesy/CBS

Commenting on being the recipient of the Daytime Emmys highest recognition, Francis expressed, it’s “a wonderful feeling of accomplishment,'” and on receiving the award from her husband, “It feels incredibly safe and takes a lot of my nerves out of it because I know he’s another one who’s just not going to let me screw up, right?”

THE LEADING MEN THROUGHOUT HER LIFE: JONATHAN FRAKES AND TONY GEARY

Speaking of feeling safe, Francis echoed that sentiment when getting teary-eyed over reflecting on her time as the all-time soap opera super couple, Luke and Laura with Tony Geary. Genie reflected, “I’m going to cry. He (Tony) made me who I am today. I learned so much from this man. He was so loving and so kind. She added about the famous dance at Wyndham’s department store between Luke and Laura, “If I was in his arms I could do it.”

That sentiment carried on for decades with Geary. Francis even admitted to Derek Hough, a secret, “I wear Tony Geary’s cologne. I just remember hugging him and smelling him and I said, ‘Oh, it smells so good.’ And he told me what it was and he said, ‘It’s unisex. You can wear it.’”

Tony Geary

Courtesy/Extra

Up until now, its hard to believe that Genie has only won once at the Daytime Emmys. It was back in 2007 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category, where once on-stage to accept the gold statuette, she acknowledged Geary.

Genie continues to be humble regarding the impact and lasting impression she’s made on the soap genre saying to Hough, “I’ve never gotten my impact. I just don’t get it.”You can check out Extra’s segment with Genie Francis below.

Now weigh-in; are you happy and excited to see Genie being honored for her decades of work in the soaps? What has been your favorite storyline of Laura, or Luke and Laura through the years? Let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase and Brook Lynn Sign Divorce Papers; Are You Glad They Ended Their Marriage or Hoped for a Reconciliation?

Published

on

By

Chase and Willow

Any hopes for a last minute reprieve were dashed when filled with sorrow, Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers in front of a judge in the Dominican Republic on the Monday, October 26 episode of General Hospital.

The judge asked if they really wanted to go through with this, as a teary-eyed Brook Lynn and Chase both hesitated to sign the court documents. They admit that neither of them wants to get divorced, but they both came to the conclusion that too much mistrust has permeated their relationship, and too much has happened between them to stay married.

With that, Brook Lynn decided to put her pen to paper first. She signs the divorce papers. Next, Chase follows suit. They look at each other with tears in their eyes that their marriage is officially over. When the judge went to filing their divorce papers, Chase and Brook Lynn agreed to split custody of baby Phoebe straight down the line 50/50.

Josh Swickard

Courtesy/ABC

THE END OF THE ROAD

Next, the judge returned and gave each a copy of their paperwork. Chase says to Brook Lynn that he thinks that they should each fly back to Port Charles separately, and that he would take another flight home. Chase says goodbye to Brook Lynn and exits. Now alone looking at the empty room, Brook Lynn utters,“Goodbye, Chase.”

Later in the episode, as Brook Lynn flies back home to Port Charles alone, she listens to the message from Tracy (Jane Elliot) telling her she is doing the right thing by divorcing Chase.

Cut to: an emotional Chase who went to the beach. He looked at his wedding ring. Mourning the loss of his marriage, Chase buried his ring in the sand, at the same time Brook Lynn was removing her wedding ring on the airplane.

The drama won’t stop from here for Brook Lynn, because as teased in the GH video spoilers preview for the week, Jude (Wil Traval) will come calling wanting to see his “daughter,” and potentially staking claim to baby Phoebe!  As for Chase, now that he is a free man, will he begin a relationship with his ex-wife, Willow Tait (Katelyn McMullen), with whom he has been completely duped? Stay tuned.

So, were you happy that Brook Lynn and Chase actually ended their marriage? Were you hoping that the two would reconcile at the last minute and realize love can conquer all, or do you think they were being adult about the situation that they couldn’t get out of their own way and feelings to make their union work? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out the scenes from Chase and Brook Lynn’s divorce and its aftermath below.

 

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

40
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x