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Erika Slezak, Who Exits ‘General Hospital’ as Ronnie Bard, Says She Would Be, “Open to Coming Back”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Do you want the good news or the bad news? Let’s start with the bad news. Six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki, One Life to Live) concludes her run as General Hospital’s Ronnie Bard on tomorrow’s Thursday, November 6th episode of the long-running ABC daytime drama series.

The good news? Erika would absolutely be open to a return down the line to reprise the role of Ronnie, and to get to share more screen time with the likes of: Genie Francis (Laura), Michael E. Knight (Martin), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Rory Gibson (Michael) and of course, Jane Elliot (Tracy)!

Ronnie’s story took a major turn on the Tuesday, November 4th episode, when it was finally revealed that Martin was blackmailing her to sell Monica’s house to Drew, because she has been in it with him to dupe Tracy. However, Ronnie had serious misgivings about Drew. So, she couldn’t bring herself to sign the papers giving him ownership of the house. Lo and behold, after Tracy found Monica’s real last will and testament, Ronnie only received the locket with the photo of herself and Monica as children, and funds to purchase a home of her choice in Durham, North Carolina. In the end, it was Tracy, who wound up with the mansion. After learning the news in Monica’s will, she kicked Ronnie and the rest of the Qs out the house.

Photo: ABC

In a new interview with Soap Opera Digest looking back on her short-term arc with the show, Erika commented, “I’ve never played anybody like Ronnie… She’s just a hardworking woman who literally had to make her own way in life, because Monica sort of turned her back on her when she got out of foster care. At 16, she’s out in the world by herself. She’s got to get a job, she has to make a living, she has to find a place to live. She started work as a waitress and decided she liked it and never left it; she never aspired to anything else, except that she knew she was smart and she wanted to learn more, so she went to community college and she essentially educated herself. She wasn’t stupid, but she never had the advantages of a rich life.”

Having played the very wealthy Victoria Lord on One Life to Live for 41 years, taking on the role of Ronnie was a major departure for Erika. “I’ve never played anyone who was — and I mean this in a good way — as simple as Ronnie, who’s just worked hard her whole life,” said Slezak. “So, it was a terrific opportunity for me and I’m very, very grateful and glad that the audience accepted her and that our former One Life to Live viewers tuned in and enjoyed seeing me in a completely different role.”

And as she wraps her run on-screen, and as viewers see how Ronnie exits the canvas, Erika shared she would definitely be open for an encore, and make a return sometime down the line to GH. Thinking back on her experience, Erika summed it up,  “It was delightful, it was terrific, it was a pleasure. It was different every day, which was unusual for me because Victoria was Victoria all the time. Yes, she was sometimes crazy, sometimes (her alternate personalities) Niki and Tori and Jean and all the others, but she was always Victoria! Ronnie grew through this whole process, and learned — and yes, I would be open to coming back.”

Photo: ABC

Previously, Erika shared a special thank you message to her official fan club, “Thank you so much for all your emails. I am delighted that you’ve been enjoying my work on General Hospital. I am very grateful for the kind words you have shared with me. It was wonderful to work again in a medium I love. My experience on GH was fantastic, and I hope you continue to enjoy the show. GH has an incredible group of actors and writers, and I am honored to have been part of it. Many sincere thanks for watching. Love, Erika.”

So, are you going to be sad to see Erika exit General Hospital on tomorrow’s episode? Thrilled to hear that she enjoyed playing Ronnie Bard so much; that she would be open to making a return down the line? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Yes! Thrilled to hear the news. She added such a warm element fo tje W home and it was fun to see “Tracy’s” fiery snark, yet simultaneously rather heartbreaking to see “Ronnie” so guilt-ridden and dismayed. I would expect that on Ronnie’s return see be less humble an ready to rumble. I only wish they had thought to bring on Eika a few years ago; we would have had thst much more time with these two “sisters” of Monica development a love/hate thing…

I’ve loved every second of Ronnie. She is a very strong and smart woman who has made her own way in life. I loved her interactions with the citizens of Port Charles. Her battles with Tracy Q were great.

Thank you Erika Slezak for coming to the West Coast for this delightful story. I so hope TPTB are smart enough to bring Ronnie back from time to time.

Ronnie had an adventure indeed, we got to see nuance and not just action-driven plots…everyone seemed to crave this, re-visiting the warm talent of Ms. Slezak and character development in rich intense time. BRAVA! Come back!!

Loved her she added a warmth to cold family. Just what we needed!

Please Stay Erica you bring joy to GH IVE BEEN WATCHING SINCE I was 18 and now I’m 70 please stay on GH❤️❤️❤️

I appreciated a storyline that was not mob related, based in international spy shenanigans, or incredulous resurrections from the dead. All that for me has long ago run its course. It all felt very OG GH, very human, and I loved that.

Totally agree. May the powers-that-be note the massive outpouring of positive response!

LOVE to see this legend back as often as possible. She brought warmth and a nice familial feeling to the Q mansion. I always saw shades of Lilia when Ronnie was interacting with the family, minus Tracy, who always needs a good sparring partner.

If OLTL V3 is just my pipe dream…then yes ! Please come back to GH. Ronnie has many stories that could be told.

She was a sweetheart indeed. Tracy needs to get off her high horse and start treating people right! She’s no better than anyone else.

It would be nice for Tracy to reconcile and acknowledge her as part of the family before Christmas and to have Ronnie to celebrate in the Quarermain Christmas dinner episode. You know how everything seems to go wrong and drama follows.

I have missed so much recently! Last I knew, Tracy had offered a nice home for Ronnie In a part of town that Ronnie loved.
What happened??

Actually that was a provison in Monica’s REAL will – that Ronnie should be given enough money to buy a house of her choosing in the rich neighborhood of the town where she and Monica lived as children. .Tracy didn’t have anything to do with that part.

It’s Thanksgiving when the Qs have dinner issues that always wind up with pizza delivery.

I could see Ronnie returning for that next year.

Erika is almost 80 I think and she’s proof that people will watch her read the telephone book. I hope they keep her forever!

She should be a shoo-in for Outstanding Guest Performer (or whatever that category is called now; I’ve lost track) for 2025. She fit in seamlessly and beautifully, from Day 1 in the crypt with Tracy.

It would be great to have Ronnie back occasionally. This is an instance in which the preferences of the performer (I understand ES doesn’t want anything other than a short-term gig) could potentially work beautifully: Ronnie really isn’t needed on the canvas full time, but as an occasional visitor to Port Charles to spar with Tracy and interact with Monica’s kinfolk, she can add some much-needed warmth, as well as be a nice reminder of Monica. (And to Iakovos’s “not mob related, based in international spy shenanigans, or incredulous resurrections from the dead,” I add a hearty “AMEN TO THAT.” I know all of that is a part of GH history too, and I respect that some viewers are really into it, but lately it’s felt out of control and too much, and I desperately want more of the reality-based family and hospital dynamics of the Marland and Labine eras.)

I loved seeing ES again, I loved her as Vicki for 40 + years on OLTL and it was like a breath of fresh air seeing her play Ronnie on GH

The writers better find a reason for semi-annual visits from Ronnie.

I always enjoyed Erika Slezak as Vicky on One Life to Live. Erika has not change at all. What a beautiful and talented actress.
I enjoyed watching her on General Hospital, I wish she would stay on the soap opera. (I HOPE SHE WILL COME BACK)
The writers and actors and actresses are outstanding.
Very well done!

Oh Erika. She was a sight for sore eyes and now our eyes will be sore again. I really didn’t want to say goodbye to her again. However, I am heartened to hear she may return for cameo visits.

I would be happy for Ronney to return to GH.

Erika was a wonderful addition to GH! I wholeheartedly vote for more Ronnie!!!❤️

monica and erika could be best friends and kick the bad guys out of town.

General Hospital

GH’s Dominic Zamprogna On How Dante Plans to Deal with Lulu and Rocco’s Cover-Up After Learning His Son Shot Cullum

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By the end of the Friday May 8 episode of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) with the help of Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) put two and two and realized, that his son, Rocco (Finn Carr) is the person who shot WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) in the back, and was the person who Jason (Steve Burton) was protecting.

This revelation hits the police commissioner like a ton of bricks, especially when he realizes his ex-wife Lulu has been in on the secret and not telling him about it. So, where does Dante go from here? In a new conversation with Soap Opera Digest, multi-Daytime Emmy nominee, Dominic Zamprogna shared what viewers can expect.

Zamprogna expressed on Lulu and Rocco not coming to him for help, “He gets that the reason they probably didn’t want to tell him is because they’re worried that he’s too by the book, but this is his son! He has a lot of anger over them not telling him.”

Courtesy/ABC

KEPT IN THE DARK – COMING INTO THE LIGHT

Armed with the truth, Dante’s caught between a rock and a hard place, “This puts him in a situation where he’s potentially going to do things that he wouldn’t normally do, and that’s a big deal for him. Dante having to confront these people for lying to him is going to be good drama and conflict. There is huge emotional fallout from all of this. It has a big effect on his relationships.”

Next week, look for Lulu (Alexa Havins) to be the first-person Dante confronts, “Alexa is so good in those scenes. She is such a powerful actress. But as far as Dante and Lulu go, I could see it taking them a very long time to heal from this, because of her lack of transparency.”

A THANK YOU TO JASON

As far as what Jason did for his son, and how Sonny’s enforcer was grabbed by the WSB and sent away, Zamprogna knows Dante will have a lot of thanking to do, if and when they connect on-screen when Steve Burton returns from his hiatus this summer.”

“Like we needed another reason to love Jason,” Zamprogna scoff, but acknowledging how Dante “definitely (is) going to be owing Jason big-time when he gets back to town!”

So, the once happy family of Dante, Rocco and Lulu is about to fall apart, but can they all work together to keep Rocco safe? Just wait till Dante finds out that his buddy “Nathan” is really Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) ! Something tells me in the end he is going to save Lulu from the guy.

Now, let us know are you looking forward to Dante confronting Lulu and Rocco? How can he protect his son in his position as police commissioner? Will he just look the other way? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Stabs Brennan with Drew’s Meds During His Brawl with Valentin

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Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) was all over the place and frantic on the Friday, May 8 cliffhanger of General Hospital leading to disastrous consequences, plus Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) learns from intel from Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) that Rocco is the culprit who shot Cullum, and Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ethan (Nathan Parsons) catch Ric (Rick Hearst) and Ava (Maura West) seemingly scheming over a big payday.

Here’s what went down: in the major turning point, Nina is once again unable to inject Drew (Cameron Mathison) for the second time with the syringe Willow gave her to keep Drew in his locked-in state. She starts rambling in Drew’s room on how she doesn’t want to be doing this, and for him to not stare at her. Suddenly the front door rings, and she puts down the syringe, while Drew looks on.

Once she gets to the door, it’s Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna), who Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) forced her to invite over. Nina hides the syringe and places it under a toy truck on the bookcase. When Jack entered, he questioned her as to why he is here, assuming it’s news about Valentin. Jack reminds Nina she should be concerned about their arrangement, not the one he has with Willow.

Courtesy/ABC

NEEDLE POINT

Now, Nina is becoming more hysterical as she needs an update from him on the evidence she wants to use against Drew. However, Jack does not give her any details or prognosis. He also adds that his boss is on him, and until Cullum lets up, she and Willow need to be patient. With nothing to hold over Drew she could use, Nina wants to get Jack out of the house before Valentin arrived, but it’s too late. Valentin confronts his nemesis with gun drawn.

As Valentin holds both Nina and Jack at gunpoint, he came at her for double-crossing him, and Jack realized Nina lured him into this trap! Valentin demands to  know where Jack sent Josslyn, but Jack says he has no idea what he is talking about!

Next, the two go at it for control of the gun, while Nina is screaming for them to stop. Meanwhile, Drew can hear the whole thing down the hall. Panicked once again, Nina grabs the syringe to seemingly jab Valentin, but the men switched places as they fought, and Jack got the syringe-full of Drew’s meds instead.

Courtesy/ABC

MY SON THE SHOOTER

Elizabeth comes to see Dante and they walk through who could have been on the pier the night Cullum was shot. It is then she admits that when Rocco was brought into GH for what he and Lulu claimed was a knife cut, she knew then, the hand injury looked like a slide bite from shooting a gun. Suddenly, the pieces all come together for Dante and why Jason would take the fall for his son, because he is Sonny’s grandson and Danny’s brother. Dante also figures out that Britt and Lulu have known the truth and kept it from him. He is rocked to the core.

Speaking of Rocco, Lulu (Alexa Havins) is now seeing the other more menacing side of the man she believes is Nathan West. However, his twin, Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) is firmly telling Lulu they have to get Rocco out of town to keep him safe now that Cullum is getting out of the hospital, but she takes his demands badly. Lulu tells Cassius he has no right to tell her what to do with her child. Could you see Lulu ending up just like Josslyn? Kidnapped under Wyndemere? Stay tuned.

Courtesy/ABC

BROTHERLY BETRAYAL?

Sonny is spiraling over his distrust for his brother Ric, especially after Ethan reported to him what he saw between Ric and Ava. Now at Ava’s gallery, Ric finishes his business with a mysterious seller. Next, he hands over a hefty commission to Ava at the moment Sonny and Ethan arrive. Sonny aims a gun at his brother,  accusing him of betraying him and Ric looks stunned. We fade to black.

So, what do you think will happen now to Brennan? Will Willow and Nina have to keep drugging him too? If Drew missed his dose, will he come out of his locked-in state and start to have some motion in his arms or legs and make some sort of escape? Do you think Sonny is truly being double-crossed by Ric? And, what did you think of when Dante realized that Rocco shot Cullum and who is the person Jason took the fall for her? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out these key moments from today’s GH below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Josslyn Learns She’s Been Kidnapped by Cassius Faison

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Now it’s sink or swim time for WSB agent Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy)! Can the skills she learned training under Agent Vaughn and being lured into the world of being a spy by Brennan, help her survive being locked up in the same room Anna Devane was? That is the latest wrinkle to her reality that kicked off on the Thursday, May 7 episode of General Hospital.

In story, after having a knockdown drag out fight with “Nathan,” eventually Josslyn is left unconscious and wakes up in the same room that Pascal and company had tormented Anna in for weeks. When she comes to, Josslyn is in a panic and does her best by breaking a hanger, (there are nice clothes left for her on clothing rack, and some snacks) and attempting to unlock the door to her freedom.

Enter, the ominous Cassius (Ryan Paevey). Believing he was still “Nathan” who has developed some sort of psychotic mental break, she pleads with him to let her help him. It’s at that moment, Agent Jacks gets an earful. Cassius reveals he is Nathan’s twin, Cassius Faison.

Courtesy/ABC

THE BIRTH OF CASSIUS

Josslyn tries to figure out how Liesl would not know she gave birth to twins. Cassius tells her Liesl believed he’d died at birth. It was his father, Cesar, who arranged the entire thing when he was born.

Next, Josslyn wondered how Nathan’s body could be gone from his grave, if he wasn’t still alive. Cassius shared he arranged to have Nathan’s body removed, and then hacked the PCPD database to replace Nathan’s fingerprints with his own. He gloats that no one would suspect him, since he is known as the good-guy cop at the PCPD.

Then, in a real kicker to Josslyn, she leans that Britt is the one who told Cassius she was a WSB agent, and then the lightbulb went off that Britt and Cassius are working alongside Sidwell and Cullum. Insisting he and his sister wanted out from under Sidwell and Cullum, and that he doesn’t want to have to kill Josslyn, Cassius warns her that her best shot at surviving is to do as he tells her and not cause trouble.

NO ONE WOULD SUSPECT

Josslyn says people will come looking her for, but in a smug manner, Cassius says nobody will ever suspect that “Nathan” would have anything to do with her disappearing. As she pleads, he walks out and locks her back in the room and regains his composure before he leaves.

Eden McCoy spoke with Soap Opera Digest about Josslyn’s shocking new predicament and shared, “I  think Josslyn’s whole journey here is walking the line between being really vulnerable and really, really scared in this situation, but not being able to show that because it’s her job not to react that way. She’s trapped, she’s been kidnapped by a stranger and now she has to work overtime not to give in to her instinct to be scared. Instead, she’s got to incorporate her new training (as an agent).”

So, who will find Josslyn? What will happen when she comes face to face with Pascal again? Are they leaving just enough room for Cassius to come out of this without being a total “bad guy,” so when this storyline ends, it keeps Ryan Paevey on the canvas? Weigh-in via the comment section. In case you missed it, watch the moments below where Josslyn learns her captor is Cassius Faison!

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