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Eva LaRue’s Run on ‘General Hospital’ Comes to an End

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

As predicted, Eva LaRue is out as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez on General Hospital. The actress made her debut back in late February of 2024 as the judgmental and homophobic mother to her daughter, Blaze (formerly played by Jacqueline Grace Lopez) who was at that time in a relationship with Kristina (Kate Mansi).

LaRue’s character was vilified from the start at rightfully so, and while GH tried to figure a potential way to put her in an on-screen pairing with Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), the writing was on the wall for awhile that she was going to be exiting the series.

In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, who confirmed LaRue’s exit, Eva expressed when she felt her time with the soap was drawing near, “I started to feel it in January. They tried to rehabilitate my character, and then all of a sudden, I have these scenes in January where, because Natalia had lied about her ex-husband (Jenz Sidwell) and broken his trust, Sonny was like, ‘We can’t be friends anymore.’ And I thought, ‘Uh-oh, there we go,’ because that (relationship with Sonny) was kind of my character’s only lifeline.”

Photo: ABC

As Eva shared, the fans weren’t buying the relationship between her and Sonny: “They just hated my character so much. I was so vilified that no matter what (the writers) did, it just wasn’t a solid enough rehabilitation that they were gonna buy me with Sonny. And so when they finally let that idea go, I realized, ‘Okay, I’m probably not much longer for this world.’”

Photo: ABC

In a statement on her departure, Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) said, “Eva’s been a dear friend for years and I am so pleased we found an opportunity to work together! What originally was meant as a guest star arc turned into a longer and more satisfying arc, in thanks to Eva’s terrific work and chemistry with our cast. I was thrilled Eva was available to us in this extended role. I wish her all the best in her upcoming projects.”

On today’s June 30th episode of GH, Natalia, when realizing she had no way out of her situation and Sonny wasn’t coming with her to Belize, ingested a dangerous mix of pills and alcohol in a state of despair. Will anyone find her in time? Look for LaRue’s final airdate this week on General Hospital.

Photo: ABC

Daytime fans first knew Eva from her work as All My Children’s Maria Santos, a role she played from 1993-98; 2002-05 and again in appearances in 2010 and 2011. One of the things LaRue noted in her exit interview was she was glad her initial short- term run got extended, which enabled her to share scenes and hang out with several of her former AMC co-stars including: Michael E. Knight, Cameron Mathison, and Finola Hughes.

So, what do you think about Eva exiting GH? Will anyone find Natalia in time? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Welcome to Hell, Natalia!

Eva LaRue is a great actress who was dealt a hard no win role. I will looking forward to seeing her on her next project.

She did play Natalia perfectly since the role was so despised

I agree

Honestly, sometimes it’s best if a guest arc remains a guest arc. Frank Valentini and company tend to take a guest role and overextend it well beyond their use.

Good point. If only she came in as “ Saint Maria of the Push-up Bra” as Erica Kane used to refer to her, she would’ve received support from the fans. Ahem, perhaps I should rephrase that.

It would have been uplifting for sure!

It certainly would shape up the storyline.

she was very good in a thankless role

It’s nice to see that Eva understood the fans and their dislike of her character. She gave it her all. Had the character not had so much baggage, a pairing with Sonny might’ve been feasible.

Natalia’s demise is shaping up to be sadder than a murder. Does Marco now feel guilty? With her mother going (and Kristina in trouble) would a short-term Blaze return be out of the question?

I LOVED Eva on AMC as Maria, but there has not been a character on GH that seemed to be as universally deprised as Natalia. I think fans were mad when Blaze left the show. She was at least driving story. Natalia seemed to be filling a void and the writers didn’t know what to do with her. With Eva and Jonathan both leaving in the past month and with Josh Kelly being bumped to recurring, I think this might be good for a very bloated cast. Now, can we please stop having so much Trina and Kai? Can we have Willow FINALLY see that all of the people telling her to run from Drew aren’t crazy? Can we move the Gio/Dante/BLQ storyline along? The pacing of the show is sometimes a head scratcher.

While her character was rather despised, for those who have watched for years, Natalia may not make the bottom 5 (only counting characters that stayed at least a year):

– Peter August
– Courtney Matthews
– Dawn Winthrop
– Anyone named Eckherdt

Long-time viewers – feel free to add…

CBS needs to reboot another one of the CSI shows and bring Eva on.

I’m sure Eva, Natalia was as bored with the character role as her fans.

I’m so very sorry to see Eva La Rue go. She’s a wonderful actor and I really like her. Natalia, not so much. I was hoping the character would have grown from her horrible beginning with Kristina and Blaze and, perhaps, have some kind of positive relationship with Sonny. I assumed she wasn’t long for this world when we learned she was Sidwell’s ex and Marco’s homophobic mother. Eva deserved a better role. Much luck to her in the future.

Sad to see Eva LaRue go. The character never really caught on but that was not her fault at all. Can’t wait to see her in her next project, and if the other soaps are wise, they’d scoop her up quickly. I could see her being a very formidable
Sparring partner/love interest for Joey Armstrong on beyond the gates.

I liked “Natalia” and thought she and “Sonny” had chemistry. I also would liked to have seen more of her relationship with Marco and Sidwell. A lot of great story potential wasted by killing her off. Why? Because some viewers couldn’t get passed her problem with her children being gay? Couldn’t “redeem” her? From what? She grew as a person, she protected Kristina who was responsible for their car accident, saved Sonny’s life, kept his secret about his heart condition AND accompanied him out of state to the consultation with his cardiologist. They did the character and the actress wrong….

She didn’t keep Sonny’s secret. In fact, she betrayed his secret to the worst possible person, Sidwell. It was Natalia that let Sonny’s most dangerous nemesis know that he just had major heart surgery which likely led to that murder attempt in his hospital room. I also take issue with you saying that they tried to redeem the character. She was nasty to
Marco and rude to Lucas and then she moved on to get behind the wheel while inebriated. I don’t really see that she has redeeming qualities, and sorry, committing perjury to save that awful Kristina to garner favor with Sonny doesn’t cut it. Awful character. Glad she’s gone!

Let’s see. Sonny took AJ’s son for life by threatening to kill AJ. In the end he did kill AJ; ignoring Michael’s pleas not to, even though Michael had told him Ava set AJ up.

Carly drugged AJ when he was in recovery. She then poured alcohol all over him so everyone would think he’d relapsed and therefore she’d still be able to keep him from seeing his son.

Carly not only was never going to let Nina know Nelle had been her daughter; but was never going to tell her Wiley is her grandson. She stole Nina’s DNA and was never going to tell her Willow is her daughter. Carly also stole her mother’s husband.

Tracy withheld her father’s heart medication.

Anna blackmailed Martin and Lucy into helping her spy on Victor Cassadine.

Ava’s a backstabber. She told her “bestie” she’d work on Sonny in hopes of him hearing Nina out, and instead she decided she wanted Sonny and betrayed Nina. Ava framed AJ. She also thought she’d killed Nikloas and continued smiling in Laura’s face.

There are SO MANY characters that have done worse than Natalia. Oh. And I like Kristina. I don’t think she lied to protect Kristina because of Sonny only. I think she realized how truly Kristina and Blaze cared for each other and was still trying to make amends, which is more than other characters do: make amends. Carly has never apologized to anyone she’s truly wronged; and the list is many.

Thank you, Rebecca1, for the great summary of plot points of bad behavior. Sonny and Carly top the list of abject criminality (including murders) and immoral behavior. That is why I have never understood the GH brain trust in keeping these two reprehensible characters as the focal point of this “hospital” show. I never cared for either character, but I know they have their fans.

I don’t disagree with your criticism of Sonny and Carly even a little bit. To use them as a moral compass for the other characters is insane and in my view, has hurt the show tremendously. I was just disagreeing with your summation of Natalia.

But they should be used as a comparison. How many times have viewers who are the biggest Carly and/or Sonny fans found other characters irredeemable..so much so that they want them off the show. To say Natalia was “irredeemable because you thought she was rude to Lucas or told Sidwell (under duress) that Sonny was going to need a heart operation, or you’re unhappy that she stood up for Kristina at trial (another character you don’t like) and don’t trust that she was sincere in her motives..does not make a character not redeemable, especially when other characters are murderers and/or take others kids. Characters who exhibit little empathy with a boatload of cruelty. We don’t all have to like the same characters but there’s a difference between that and thinking relatively minor things they do or say are equal to or worse the truly cruel things other characters have done and said. I just think Natalia went from strong and fierce to humbled and changed to desperate and sad. Rejected. Forlorn. Trapped. Forced by Sonny to leave her life while delusionally thinking he’d stay with her. There was no need to write such a tragic downfall of a strong women…it was sad (to me) and I personally think it would have been wise to expand the Natalia/ Blaze/ Sidwell/ Marco family dynamic, and the struggle between good and evil: Natalia vs Sidwell, the “kids,” how it affected their relationships to other people in Port Charles…even keeping Natalia and Sonny a couple as Sonny and Sidwell begin a treacherous war with each other…

But alas, there are many characters I don’t think should have been killed off; the biggest being Alan Quartermaine and AJ. So many stories that could have been….

Maybe I dozed off during a segment in the last few weeks. Did Sonny actually promise Natalia he’d be living in Belize with her? I don’t remember him saying that to her. I only remember him telling her he would support her financially in Belize.

No Carrie – you didn’t miss a scene. Delusional Natalia just made up in her mind that Sonny setting her up in Belize meant he was going s as well. Like Sonny was going to leave his entire family (who unlike Natalia still like him).

The could’ve done a better job over the last month showing Natalia’s path to borderline insanity, but what’s done is done.

Thanks for confirming. I agree with you. They could have done a better job with it. I should know by now to just lower my expectations. 🙂

Yes and see? Natalia had many flaws— she was judgmental, controlling and rigid. Concurrent with those flaws is that she was organized, had finely tuned executive functioning skills, and she was realistic. Suddenly, without any lead up, Natalia is harboring crazy unrealistic romantic fantasies about Sonny. It doesn’t add up. Adding to the wild incongruity of the writing is that Natalia, a control freak, offing herself with an accidental overdose of booze and drugs. And she could have lived happily ever after in beautiful and blissful Belize.

And we’re supposed to believe this tightly wound, control-loving person has secretly been a lush this whole time. A day-drinking, habitual drunk driver with 2 DWI arrests. Someone who routinely drunk-texts her son and passes out.

What a shame! I’ll miss Eva LaRue. Why the writers had to kill her off … really irks me.

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‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)

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The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.

Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.

While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100,  A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman

HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM

Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.

There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC

A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN

In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”

Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”

So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.

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‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July

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There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.

The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.

On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI

THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.

Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.

The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.

As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.

Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.

So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order

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In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.

The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC

In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”

A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS

The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.

Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear.  The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.

It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.

So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.

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