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
RATINGS: ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Remain No #1 and # 2, ‘General Hospital’ Only Soap to Lose Viewers
The latest Nielsen ratings data is out for the week of April 27-May 1, and three out of the four network daytime dramas posted gains in total viewers, while one showed a loss in audience numbers, which may come as a surprise.
Let’s take a look at the ratings period with data from Soap Opera Network and then provide some context. The Young and the Restless remained as per usual in the top spot coming in at 3,14,000 on average total viewers slightly up +20,000 more eyeballs for the week.
In story, Y&R served up Matt’s plot to blow up the Newmans inside the abandoned gas station on the outskirts of Vegas, Sienna believing she killed Matt, only for him to be revealed alive with a severe contusion on his head by week’s end, Nick going on a bad drug trip thanks to the fentanyl laced with something else via Matt, and Cane and the Winters family learning that he is a donor match to save Malcolm’s life, while Sally got engaged to Billy.
Photo: JPI
FASHION HOUSE PROBLEMS
Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful clocked in with 2,795,000 viewers for the week up +38,000 from the previous ratings period. In story, The Bold and the Beautiful gave viewers; the fallout from Katie’s successful fashion show for her new fashion house, Logan. Dylan continuing to be freaked out. This time when doing her work at Forrester Creations, out from the clothing rack comes somebody that scares her enough to have her let out a blood-curdling scream. In addition, Liam suggested to Hope that she consider coming to work for Logan where she will be appreciated, after Steffy tells her that ‘Hope for the Future’ is back-burnered for now.
General Hospital, which many have considered being the most entertaining on a consistent basis with their storylines, most likely lost some viewers for the week because on Monday April 27, the show was preempted for a special report on the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondence dinner. If viewers did not catch it on Hulu, it aired on the network after Nightline on Tuesday at 1am. In total, GH was the only soap to lose viewers for the ratings week. GH tallied -1,809,000 which is down from the previous week by -168,000.
Photo: ABC
PAYBACK AND A SHOCKING REVEAL
In story that week, Carly’s double life with Brennan and Valentin caught up with her, Michael initiated a strategic plot against Willow, and Josslyn found herself in immediate danger after a run-in with Cassius.
Beyond the Gates, while having two days of the week fully preempted for UEFA Champions League soccer games, actually increased its viewership. BTG tallied 1,655,00 total viewers which also boasted the highest audience gains across any soap adding +42,000. In story, the soap opera spotlighted: Ashley stealing antibiotics to keep Grayson alive, Smitty zeroing in on a possible suspect in the plasma ring, Vernon taking over Martin’s debt to Joey Armstrong, while Kate recognized a name tied to Lynette’s finances.
It should also be noted for the ratings week; The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped Y&R for the top spot in the key Womens 18-49 demo and in the Womens 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates once again bested General Hospital for the 3rd spot.
*Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.
So, let us know your thoughts on the current ratings picture? Then weigh-in; what soap opera is serving up the best drama right now that is keeping you engaged to catch it every day? Which soap has you the least interested? Drop a comment below.
On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.
It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.
Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.
Courtesy/ABC
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.
THE WRONG SUSPECT
Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!
Courtesy/ABC
DINING WITH RIC
At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.
Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
In well-played scenes on the Thursday, May 14 episode of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zampogna) finally had a talk with his son, Rocco (Finn Carr) informing him that he knows the teen shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Rocco has dreaded his father finding out, because he is the acting police commissioner of the Port Charles PD and feared his dad will have to arrest him for the crime.
Dante asks Rocco in his own words to recount what happened the night on the pier. He assured his son, he is not going to arrest him and noted there are very extenuating circumstances surrounding the crime.
Courtesy/ABC
FATHER AND SON
Rocco explained how he followed Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) to the pier. Then, how Cullum attacked Britt. Jason (Steve Burton) showed up and fought with Cullum and how the gun came loose.He remembers the other weapon Cullum pulled out to kill Jason and that’s when he shot him.
Next, Dante explained that he was proud of his son for saving Jason and Britt’s lives. He also tells Rocco that he is very concerned in Britt’s involvement in all of this stemming all the way back to the Five Poppies, and feels she is still tied into everything that is happening.
Dante tells Rocco that nobody else can know about this involvement in the shooting. He also touchingly said, that he is his father, he will protect him. However, Rocco is worried that if the truth came out that he shot Cullum, his dad would be in serious trouble for covering up a crime. Dante tells Rocco, he should not worry about that right now, but he needs to stay in Port Charles so he and his mom can keep him safe.
A SHOCKING CALL
Suddenly, as father and son hug it out, Dante gets a call from Justine (Nazneen Contractor), alerting him to the fact that she just met with Cullum and he is looking for the evidence and the file from his shooting. Dante rolls his eyes, knowing things are about to go from bad to worse, and how is he going to keep his son safe from the evil WSB Director?
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Dominic Zamprogna always delivers a nice counterbalance to the often histrionics of other characters in Port Charles in his portrayal of Dante Falconeri. So that, when Dante breaks or gets emotional, it counts. Finn Carr has continually shined in the storyline as Rocco continues to teeter on the edge of knowing what he has done and being wracked with guilt. Next up has to be Danny learning his brother is the reason Jason was carted away. Stay tuned!
So, what did you think of the scenes between Dante and Rocco? How on earth will Dante keep Rocco safe? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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