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Finola Hughes Expected To Be Off General Hospital for 3 Months While She Directs The Film BYRD AND THE BEES!

By Michael Fairman

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PhotoCredit: HutchinsPhoto.com

PhotoCredit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Finola Hughes, who has been turning in exquisite performances this past week as Anna comes to grips with the fact that Duke Lavery (Ian Buchanan) was shot and killed, will be taking a short leave from General Hospital, according to the latest edition of Soap Opera Digest.

The actress is expected to take three months off of her role on GH this summer to direct her new film, Bryd and the Bees.  The film is set to star Jonathan Rhys Meyers which is said to tell the story of  struggling author, Rebecca Byrd, who on an impromptu trip to Scotland  lives the most romantic story she’s NEVER written.

GH’s head writer Ron Carlivati related to SOD, on working around Hughes short leave:  “We worked with that, so you get to see some of what becomes of Anna after Duke dies, and we’re forced to hit the pause button a little bit with Anna Devane, but she will be back, rest assured.”

It remains to be seen if Anna will be written-out for awhile, or if she will be on the canvas but not appearing on-screen.

So, excited to hear Finola will be shooting her new film? How do you think GH will handle her short break from playing Anna?  Share your thoughts below!

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I will miss Finola during her absence. She always puts forth amazing work!

Wish you well on your project, but hurry back to GH.

i’m happy for Finola, but i hope its not 3 staight months off the air, i was so happy that she was appearing more on screen hopefully if she does go off they will have her finally looking for Robin, Robin needs to tell her mom all the people who have done her wrong so that anna can start getting back at people like Helena and jerry who both have kept robin their prisoner.

I like how you think. Yes, go off and find Robin and bring her home! Kim or some other actress, it doesnt matter at this point!

If she directs a film, its 3 straight months, she cant make a film crew sit around to run back and do GH.

Very impressive…directing Jonathan Rhys Myers…one of my favorite actors! While I’ll miss her character on GH…taking time off to grieve Duke will enable Anna more ready for a new love if they take her down that road. Anything sooner would have been disrespectful to the romance of Anna and Duke.

I’m pretty sure this film will be great..have never seen Myers in anything that wasn’t. Great news…

GH’s cast are very talented in the arts..
It is good that they can do other projects to express their talents..
One should not spend their lives on a soap opera there are other things to do, also ..
Finola will be missed.. but- she will return and that is a good thing ..

I hope they send her to Scotland to lay Duke to rest in his home town.

I second that…

Would have been nice if they’d sent her and Duke off together somewhere. Let’s hope they handle it by giving Anna some hope that he’s alive and sending her to find him!

I second that! If she and IB both needed to exit the canvas to work on her film (IB is in it too) then they certainly could have had Duke & Anna leave together instead of having Duke die so suddenly. Maybe after they were wed. That would have brought in the viewers as much as a funeral.

The only way they can rectify this with legacy fans who are disappointed at yet another legacy character dying is by giving Anna a clue and an inkling Duke is still alive somewhere before she leave for summer.

Since the summer scripts are most likely already in the hopper, I think they could just have her bank some scenes and show them throughout the summer. They did that last summer when TG was off– Fluke showed up in a brief scene here and there– especially since they knew this was coming for a while no doubt. But whether seen or unseen, she will not be forgotten and look forward to seeing the film she is directing when it comes out.

I hope that 3 months goes by quick. Love Anna so much. Hoping Anna can find Robin out there.

Rarely do I get so pissed off about my favorite soap but Finola leaving for three months would have been a perfect excuse not to see her while her and Duke head out of the country. No they had to kill Duke and THEN F with us and think he is alive only to find out it was only a dream of Sonny’s! Terrible. Terrible.

I know, Timmm. She always brightens my heart when I see her. I love her so much…and, will be sorely missed, albeit summer is fast approaching…kids out of school and all…..I hope not to miss much of my soaps.

Hopefully Anna comes back with Robin. Recasted or not. DVR GH and watch it after the kids are fast asleep!

Easier said than done, Timmm. Two hours with my son and I’m exhausted….the kid has more energy than twenty, six-year-olds combined. Thank God for nanny and my family.

I don’t know about a Robin recast. Most fans will be up in arms, no? Robin left soon after I started watching, I don’t know her….so, it makes no difference to me if she is recast. It would be great if Anna comes back with her daughter.

After Jake wakes up from his ‘stupor’, chances are he and a Sam will end up together….all his feelings for her will be flooding back. A double whammy for Lizzie…her deception and her rival Sam. Jake’s shiny perception of Liz will leave a bitter taste in his mouth. Little miss-goody-two-shoes is not at all what she seems. Too bad. I really wanted this relationship to work. Her own fault!!!!!l
The way to Patrick would be open for Robin….not that there would be any doubt he’d go running to Robin, slo-mo, ….so, yes, I’m all for a recast if Kimberly is not ‘available’.

My best friend has a son and she usually watches Y&R around midnight! So I know you got your hands full!

I love Kim playing Robin. She is a rare child actor who got to play her character as an adult and play it well. If Kim doesnt want to return and GH needs the star on screen, thats when I would recast. Your seeing it right now. Robin’s “Uncle Duke” died and Robin is nowhere to be found!

I just like looking at Jakeson and Sam together. They seem like a perfect fit. Plus, they seem to have chemistry and heated passion.

I think Anna should have a show down with Carlos and he ends up dead! So she has to go to headquarters to be questioned & do paperwork and stuff then she says she needs a little break!! By then 3 months will be up before you know it!! We’ll miss you Anna!! They can write a good scene of you having it out with Carlos!!

Didnt u watch the show, thats what happened, she killed Carlos

Thanks GH for permitting Finola maximize her Talents.I am far far away,Philippines but I am religiously following Anna.Canvass please so we won’t miss her!

Can we have a contest to have fans vote for next seasons DANCING WITH THE STARS, soap star dancer. The winner to be announced the first day of the show?

Interesting title. This film will definitely be something to see……especially since it’s set in Scotland.
I will miss her….
Sealbh math dhuit! …. And, Godspeed.!!!!!

I shall miss her loads, too, CeeCee. In addition to Dr. O., she is my favorite over-50 lady on the GH canvas due to her cool, classy, calm and collected presence. Shall be a long summer without her, but I also wish her well! (Seems she shall need it….apparently, JRM has once again fallen off the proverbial wagon, as his disheveled, disgusting self has been photographed staggering around London for all and sundry to see….nice one! Hope his latest drunken escapades don’t interfere with the filming schedule….)

Shay, Shay, Shay…favorite over-50 lady on GH? Does this mean you have over/under 20, over 30, over 40, ladies, girls, men, guys, etc? I think from reading your other comments you meant well, but…:))

@Rose….Well, thank you for the benefit of the doubt! Of course, no harm was intended, I simply was noting that Finola’s absence shall be sorely noticed, not for the least of reasons being that Anna is such a shining example of everything “a woman of that certain age” should be! Except for the character of Dr. O.—as so charmingly portrayed by Kathleen Gati—I find all the other females in Port Charles’ 50-something age bracket to be wanting on so many levels….you already know that I consider Lucy and, most especially Alexis, to be utterly disgraceful!!! (No need to further expound on that thought…..LOL!) Hence, in addition to just outright missing the admirable Anna and all that her character brings to the GH canvas, I shall truly be longing for the tasteful sophistication that is Finola Hughes’ trademark. Her discerning presence is not just welcome, but irreplaceable, as well.

I will miss Finola but wish her well with her new adventure. She was outstanding today with her live performance when she shot Carlos.

I will miss Finola, she is a great actor. Wish her
Luck with the film she is directing.
Hurry back to GH, it won’t be the same without you.

well I think she will come back with a solid strong wowan that always be can’t wait to see more of anna

When will her movie come out we will miss you come back very soon

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!

In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?

Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!

Courtesy/ABC

FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS

The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!

Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?

Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.

MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.

Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

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With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).

On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..

In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW

So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!

FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD

As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and  and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”

Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.

So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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A post shared by Maurice Benard (@mauricebenard)

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

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In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.

The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.

Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”

Photo: CDuellIG

SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.

The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.

In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.

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

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