General Hospital
BREAKING NEWS: Erika Slezak to Join the Cast of ‘General Hospital,’ Six-Time Daytime Emmy-Winner Signs Short-Term Deal
UPDATED: In the “dreams do come true department” for fans of One Life to Life and daytime soap operas, now comes word that six-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki, OLTL) will be joining the cast of ABC’s General Hospital this fall.
According to the news from Slezak herself, via her fan club president Walter Miller, Erika has signed a short-term contract with the ABC soap opera. At present, “Erika does not know which character she will be playing, or when her scenes will air, but she is excited to be working again with executive producer Frank Valentini and the cast of GH!”
For over four decades, Erika played the central heroine on One Life to Life from 1971 until its final episode that aired on January 13, 2012 following its cancellation by ABC, and for one season in the online version of the soap opera via Prospect Park in 2013. Since the end of ‘One Life,’ Slezak has appeared in numerous episodic television series including The Resident and Blue Bloods.

Photo: JPI
Previously, Frank Valentini worked with Erika during his tenure at One Life to Live where he served as the series executive producer from 2003-2012 as well as his years working his way up the ranks. When the series ended its run on network television, ABC brought Valentini over to GH in 2012 where he has remained for the past 13 years.

Photo: ABC
Several former OLTL cast members have made it on to the GH soundstages reprising their roles from Llanview, or creating new roles including the likes of: Roger Howarth (Todd, Franco, Austin), Michael Easton (John, Silas, Finn) Kristen Alderson (Starr, Kiki), Kassie DePaiva (Blair), Hillary B. Smith (Nora), Florenzia Lozano (Téa), Mark Lawson (Dustin), Bree Williamson (Claudette), and Chris McKenna (Brennan) to name but a few.
It should be noted that on General Hospital, after waking up out of her coma, Lulu (Alexa Havins) got a new job working as a reporter for the “Llanview Banner.” As any One Life to Live fan knows, ‘The Banner” was the newspaper originally owned by the Lord family. After Victor Lord died, Viki became its owner and publisher with several twists and turns along the way. Could that be the new tie-in that brings Erika to GH? Stay tuned.
Following Michael Fairman TV’s breaking news story of Erika’s return to daytime, General Hospital’s EP Frank Valentini took to his account on X and confirmed her upcoming arrival, expressing, “I am thrilled to confirm that my dear friend and former One Life to Live colleague, Erika Slezak, will appear on General Hospital this fall. Stay tuned as we prepare to introduce another daytime legend to Port Charles. #GH #OLTL”
So, what do you think of Erika Slezak joining the cast of General Hospital? Who do you hope she plays? Have you missed seeing the iconic star of daytime television? Comment below.
I am thrilled to confirm that my dear friend and former “One Life to Live” colleague, Erika Slezak, will appear on @GeneralHospital this Fall. Stay tuned as we prepare to introduce another daytime legend to Port Charles. #GH #OLTL pic.twitter.com/Rxu5fWKSvJ
— Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) June 12, 2025
Oh Thank the heavens above. I hope she is playing Vicki and leads her back to Landview and the return of OLTL !!
Don’t get too excitied. OLTL has been, is, and will be no more. Not trying to be mean, just being a realist.
Understood. I just like to dream and hope a little.
If she can’t play Vicki , then she must play a role connected to the Q’s somehow. Would love to see her go toe to toe with Traci. She could keep up!
One of Martin’s exes lol
Or…Monica’s death will come out this summer. Maybe Erica could play Monica’s sister.
Monica was adopted and never knew her birth parents. Erika likely won’t be airing until at the earliest late September as Frank said she’d be joining in the fall.
But she could play Monica’s long lost biological sister.
Well, consider me shocked. Will Viki make a trip to Port Charles to cover a story for The Banner? Or, who could she possibly be? A patient at the hospital with a long story to tell? Felicia’s never-before-seen mother?
Regardless, it will be great to see a daytime legend back on the screen. We should probably just get the 2025 Guest Performance Emmy ready for her.
Felicia’s mother HAS been seen, as June Lockhart. She could, I suppose, be a recast.
June Lockhart (who is weeks away from her 100th birthday) played Felicia’s GRANDMOTHER. Her mother was never shown.
Erika (approaching 79) would fit the age group perfectly. Although, I doubt this is the character she’ll play.
June Lockhart played Felicia’s GrandMother
Well, this is truly surprising; I’m glad it’s known: this is a short-term gig.
So I’m excited… but if they have her playing Monica imma cry
They’re not recasting Monica.
I can’t imagine Frank green lighting that nor Erika taking over that role. I’m sure she’d never want anyone to play Viki after her. And yes, I’m aware that both Leslie Charleson and Erika Slezak did not originate the roles of Monica and Viki.
Plus:
They were just waiting for the other Q storylines to come to a head before moving onto that major one.
Thank you. And how did you do that?
She let it slip during an event recently.
Yeah but that formatting with a box that one must click on if they want to read a spoiler? Pretty, pretty good.
Oh, that. Last button on the toolbar where we write our messages.
Your toolbar must be different than most. The box I type in is just a box with no toolbars.
Come on. That would be disrespectful to both LC and ES. Not going to happen.
Maybe as Niki Smith!
I might’ve laughed this off before watching the end of Thursday’s episode. Could be way off here, but Willow is a prime candidate for DID. Her mental health is questionable going back to the Dawn of Day years.
I’d prefer not to have this tired soap trope (Frank already went down that ride with Connie). If they do, they could say the Reeves and the Lords go way back and Nina would contract an old family friend to help her daughter. That said, Erika deserves a better storyline than that.
THIS MAKES ME SO EXCITED. Slezak is daytime royalty and I am so glad she will be back on screen even if for a short story. The cast is already so bloated so I hope this doesn’t steal too much from the current cast. While I would love to see her show up as Victoria Lord Buchanan, I dont see a reason for Viki to visit PC. But I dont know if I have the patience to get to know her as another character. I am excited to see daytime vets still working. I LOVED seeing Colleen Zenk on Y&R as Aunt Jordan(although an ill conceived character) Colleen’s talent showed through. I cannot wait to see Ms. Slezak! Welcome Back!
I agree. The royalty is so appreciated as many soap actors from the glory days are slowly passing away. I was a ATWT and GL girl in the 70s, 80s, 90s, etc until they were both cancelled, and then I did move towards GH, following a number of the actors from CBS to ABC. Colleen was excellent (and Jordan, not so much). I have always wanted to watch Erika since she got paired with GL’s Ross Marler on OLTL, so I very much look forward to her new “short term” role on GH.
It makes me so sad that so many I watched growing up are passing away. Alas, is life but doesn’t make it any less sad. David Canary(Adam/Stuart AMC), Ben Hendrickson(Hal, ATWT) and so many more. So anytime I can see a soap vet, I welcome it.
Wow! I am sure it will be a good story, with Erika Slezak involved.
But the GH writers will also be involved… so a “good story” isn’t a given.
Happy to see daytime soaps other than Days remembering and creating roles for the old daytime grand dames. I would love to see more Linda Dano, Robin Strasser, and Victoria Wyndham again but in original roles and not recasts.
If she ends up having scenes with Sonny, I will barf!
James…me, too Brother!!!!! Also, if she ends up having scenes with that SCUMBAG Drew, I will very, very angrily throw myself out of an open window…preferably my own living room window!!!!! LOL
Talk to you later, Brother.
Peace.
Truly excited to see Erika Slezak back on daytime!
I bet she’ll be coming to see Lulu about the story she was hired to write for the Llanview Banner.
If she’s Viki I could see it, but I don’t think she will be, tbh.
Short term unrelated character, that’s fine. OLTL crossover? Not so much.
Recast of Monica or any other GH character? Unthinkable.
So Happy to See Her Again!
Maybe they will finally have Monica pass, as she did in real life, and Erika will play her long lost sister
Monica was adopted and there’s no record of her birth parents.
However, in the 80’s, spa owner Lorena Sharpe was supposed to be a first cousin, but I’m not sure if that was adopted or biological. She left town with Derek Barrington. It would be a real stretch to bring Lorena back as only Anna, Felicia, and Holly would remember her.
I always thought Erika Slezak is the only person who could have replaced Susan Flannery as Stephanie on B&B, but if I have to tune in to GH to catch this powerhouse, consider it done!
I only have one request GH, although the GH cast is full of heavy hitters, I plead the show to please put Erika in scenes with the fabulous Jane Elliot, I’m just salivating at these two heavy hitters going head to toe.
Yes, and throw in Kim Zimmer, too. All interacted with the late Jerry verDorn, aka Ross Marler (GL) and Clint Buchanan (OLTL). Jane’s Carrie on GL was historical.
Kim will never be on GH as long as Frank is EVP. She had done rather sharp words about Echo’s return to OLTL after GL went off the air.
All for some Slezak-Elliot scenes, though.
I hope she gets a better storyline than Jonathan Jackson did.
I am shocked and thrilled. Shocked because GH is done in Los Angeles and Erika is a very happy east coast person. Thrilled because I LOVE Erika Slezak. It will be such a wonderful treat to see her on daytime again. I can’t wait to see what character they create for her and which of the GH regulars she’ll interact with. She could show up as Viki. GH has made reference to Llanview University and The Banner. Whoever she plays, I’m sure she’ll be great. Fall cannot come soon enough. Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!!!!!!!!!
Slezak has always maintained she’d do a stint on any west coast soap, but only if it were short-term.
I’m guessing the west coast commute is why they’re emphasizing the short-term contract. GH has done this a couple of times for Emma Samms, who lives full time in England. Maybe Erika is renting a house for a few months in LA?
If she is playing Viki, will she mention that Clint, Tina, and Rene have all passed on?
Jessica Tuck was spotted in the studio recently. Would Viki run into a resurrected Cassandra Pierce or Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) and tell them how much they remind them of her children?
I am over the moon with this news! I can’t wait to see her in PC. I hope it’s as Viki Buchanan just to add the cozy comfort of the soap worlds intersecting.
I hope GH handles this opportunity with grace and class befitting Ms. Slezak. I do not need see her play Viki Buchanan. It seems audiences like to have their universes of characters and places (Chicago, L&O), FBI, ABC dramas), but sometimes taking an actor and character out of place is not all that satisfying. It can be very distracting to service of the current story in play. More interesting for me to have a favorite in a new well-written role that makes for strong story. Although I enjoyed seeing her on screen again, the wonderful Colleen Zenk was let down by Y&R with that silly Aunt Jordan character and story so again GH, please be smart with the esteemed Ms. Slezak and showcase her talents in the brightest light. This is very exciting news indeed!
I agree completely. She’s such a fabulous actor I would love to see her work with new material worthy of her talent. My only disappointment is that it’s a short term visit. Got my fingers crossed she has such a fabulous, creatively challenging time that she decides to stay on for longer.
Please,please give her a role worthy of her talent and status
Great News! Just make sure the writers give her great material to work with on screen. If so, she should easily take her 7th Emmy with a 2025 Guest Performance Emmy! Also, expect ratings to improve to more than 2 Million viewers in the Fall! Now we just need to get Kim Zimmer back in Daytime!
Thank you Frank!!! Some live to far to be on permanently, but if they are willing to commute, AWESOME!!! I would post pics of us if I could. Pickled Tink to hear this great addition!!!
As for her role, I almost guarantee the set up of connection with Lulu & The Banner, which weirdly is distributed in Llanview PA, AND Port Chuckles, NY. Also, a connection as one of Martin’s exes is possible. Just pray the writing is good! Thanks again to Frank, so far so good, if you’re reading this.
I’m still smiling about this days after it was announced. So nice to have a long-time favorite back (even one from a different show), and short-term works beautifully, really, given that the cast is already pretty large and there’s only so much room for a star of Slezak’s stature. But temporarily, of course they can find room, without damaging the show’s structure (let’s see how the writers do with that, but it’s possible at least). Win-win-win, provided the writing is there. (Oh, I do hope they have her go toe to toe with Jane Elliott. What fun that could be.)
Viki comes to Port Charles to look for her long-missing son and is shocked to discover that he has had amnesia, changed his name to Jack Brennan. So they finally reunite after all these years.
I know that Leslie ( Monica) is a little older than Erika (Vicki) but it would be an honor for a legend to recast a legend because the character Monica Quatermaine has a lot to do and so much more to offer her family and the hospital, community and friends of Port Charles even if just for a short term… Because they are both Icons it would be a Great Opportunity and and Honor to get Monica affairs in Order for a Lifetime Homegoing Celebration surrounded by the City of Port Charles and hand it over to Jason and Traci
I loved Erika as Vicki but I just cannot image her replacing Leslie. It just would feel so disrespectful to Leslie Charleston.
I do find it odd how soap opera roles are expected “never to age or pass away” which real actors do.
No, No, No. That’s not how you “honor a legend”. Asking Erika to play Monica would be dishonorable to two legends. It’s going to be hard for many viewers to accept Erika as anyone other than Viki – they wouldn’t burden her with a role no one would believe her in.
The show has navigated without Monica on screen for the past few years out of respect for LC. If they were going to recast, it would’ve been a long time ago.
And finally, Erika is only one year younger than Leslie.
She’ll play Sasha’s gaslighting, money-stealing mother-in-law as the mysterious person who has been messing with Daisy. Makes perfect sense seeing it’s short term.
General Hospital
Chris McKenna Reportedly Out as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan

As ABC’s General Hospital continues to make casting additions in front of the camera; a new report indicates that Chris McKenna is the next contract player to be written out of the show as his storyline as Port Charles WSB bureau chief, Jack Brennan, is coming to end this fall.
According to sources close to the situation, who informed Soap Opera Network, McKenna will exit the long-running soap opera when Jack is killed-off the canvas. The outlet shares, Brennan’s death will come about as the soap, “leans heavily into storylines surrounding the World Security Bureau (WSB).”
McKenna, who previously appeared on the soaps when he was 12 as a young Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live from 1990-1993, then as an adult as Mark Harding on The Young and the Restless from 2014-2015, and next on The Bold and the Beautiful in the short term role of Dr. Hayden, began his run as GH’s Brennan back in February of 2025, replacing Charles Mesure in the role.

Photo: ABC
JACK’S ROCKY ROAD TO ROMANCE
In fact, McKenna won the part over Daniel Goddard and Daniel Cosgrove, who eventually were cast in other roles on General Hospital, that of Henry Dalton and Ezra Boyle, respectively. Chris informed his fans via X, back in August of 2025, that he was put on contract at the daytime drama and thanked them for helping make it happen.
Chris told Michael Fairman TV how it was to step into the role previously played by Charles Mesure, “I knew the challenge it was going to be and I had a like 0nly five days to get my head around it, so I was ready for it. Sure, it was challenging, but I was up for it. I was a recast before on The Young and the Restless.”
On-screen, Jack became romantically involved with Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), but that went bust when Carly learned Jack was not up front with her and had secretly enlisted her daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) to join the WSB. Over months, Carly plotted to get revenge on Jack, and suddenly, Valentin Casssadine (James Patrick Stuart), Jack’s mortal enemy, came into the picture and he had fallen for Carly and she for him.
Now, Jack has started up a relationship with Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) and has found himself in situations stooping to lows to help Nina and her criminal daughter, Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) out of jams, especially where Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) is concerned.

Photo: ABC
REUNITING WITH ERIKA SLEZAK
Last fall, Chris got a thrill of a lifetime when his OG on-screen mother from One Life to Live, the iconic Erika Slezak (ex-Viki) took on a guest role on General Hospital as Ronnie Bard, the secret sister of Monica Quartermaine (the late Leslie Charleson). While the two did not have a storyline together, Chris did share some tender moments reconnecting with Erika on the set,
McKenna has a laundry list of primetime credits including: State of Affairs, Good Trouble, Lucifer and Castle, where in an ironic twist he appeared alongside another Joey Buchanan none other than Nathan Fillion.
So, how do you feel if the report holds true and GH is killing off Brennan and Chris McKenna would exit the show? How do you think Brennan will die on GH? Will he be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and someone will take him out? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
Ryan Paevey Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Stir the Pot if Cassius Could be a Good Agent of Chaos’

On General Hospital, Ryan Paevey wrapped his comeback to General Hospital on the July 6 episode, when it was revealed that Cassius Faison was not dead, but being held by the WSB thanks to Z (John Oliver).
It was Z who gave Cassius an ultimatum: a one-way ticket to prison or a death sentence, or to become an agent himself! We never got the answer on-screen, but suffice to say, Cassius is still out there somewhere, but we can assume he is working for the WSB.
GH fans were thrilled to see Paevey back on the ABC daytime drama series where he initially played the very popular Detective Nathan West from 2013-2018. It had been over 7 years until Ryan made a return to his former soap stomping grounds when on-screen in September of 2025, he arrived in Port Charles as a very much alive Nathan, who was actually Cassius impersonating his late twin brother.

Photo: ABC
Over this past weekend, Paevey appeared at the annual GH Fan Club Weekend in Burbank, California, where according to a report from Soap Central who was on the scene; when a fan asked Ryan if he would make another visit to the soap opera in the future, he explained, “That’s a ‘Frank Chat,’ referencing a discussion would need to be had with Frank Valentini, GH’s executive producer.
A CASSIUS FAISON SIGHTING ANYTIME SOON?
Ryan also added, “I’m a bit of a drifter. So, I’m not sure that I want to go back and sign forever. Doing so took a lot of things out of my life, stuff that is valuable to me.” Paevey also explained while he was away from GH he was caretaker to his parents and working on his Fortunate Wanderer jewelry business and more.
However, Paevey concluded his thoughts on the matter with, “But, yeah, I would come back and stir the pot if Cassius could be a good agent of chaos… a conversation might be had with Frank about exactly what ‘not dead’ means.”
All this to say, would you like to see Ryan make another comeback to General Hospital? This time as WSB agent Cassius Faison? Do you think he would help out his sister, Britt and his mutter, and even Josslyn, if they got into serious future trouble? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Christian Howard Makes One Final Return as Ethan Lovett, as Hudson Learns Damning Intel

The Tuesday, August 4 episode of General Hospital brought with it another appearance by Christian Howard in the role of Ethan Lovett. As previously reported, Howard was brought into wrap up Ethan’s storyline as Nathan Dean’s four-month run with the show came to its conclusion.
Now, it has been 100% officially confirmed that today was the last episode of Howard as the recast Ethan. In story, Ethan was now seen in Oslo, Norway after hightailing it out of Port Charles after Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) had showed up looking for him at the Metro Court pool in Port Charles.
On the July 31st episode, Ethan made a beeline to Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) grabbed his bags and headed out of the country without saying goodbye to Ava (Maura West), who he just had spent the night with.

Courtesy/ABC
However, on Tuesday’s GH, it was also the day where Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) finalized baby Phoebe’s adoption for Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard). This was juxtaposed with the action in Oslo where Hudson showed up at Ethan’s hotel room door. He demanded immediate answers about Delilah and the baby. Ethan told him that both Delilah and the baby she carried died.
ETHAN’S LIES CATCH UP TO HIM
Hudson is livid. The two get into multiple altercations with Hudson getting the upper hand claiming that Ethan is a thief, who had “stolen from the wrong man.” At that point, Hudson delivered a beatdown on Ethan. Next, he threatened Ethan that he will go after his entire family if he finds out he was lying to him.
Back in Port Charles at the Metro Court pool, Ava is lamenting about Ethan’s sudden disappearance to Trina (Tabyana Ali). Later alone, she gets a call from Ethan telling her to never reveal that he’s not Phoebe’s biological father. Cut to: Hudson out in the hotel hallway listening in on the call through a bug he planted in Ethan’s hotel room. Hudson then takes off. The final moment of Ethan’s is him sprawled out bloody on top of the hotel bed.
A GH rep told Soap Opera Digest that “the door is open for Ethan to return to Port Charles” in the future. And as previously reported by TV Insider, when Nathan Dean signed on for his four month return, it was due in part to that he and his wife announced back in March they were expecting a baby.
So, now that Christian Howard has officially exited the series marking the end of the story for now of Ethan Lovett, what are your thoughts? Obviously, we will look for Hudson to return to Port Charles and infiltrate the Quartermaines lives especially Brook Lynn and Chase to get close to Phoebe, and then there is Ava, who may be in terrible danger, or is she? Share your thoughts and theories.
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