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

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: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers

Looks like Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava (Maura West) are back to be each other’s sworn enemy number one. By the end of the Monday, April 22nd episode of General Hospital, the women know where they stand with each other after Nina goes in on Ava accusing her of wanting Sonny (Maurice Benard) all to herself, while her marriage has been on the rocks.

In story, at Nina’s office, Ava shows up to see Nina and says she is sorry about what happened with Sonny and that he reacted the way he did, acknowledging that is was over the top, even for Sonny. Ava says she’ll smooth things over, but Nina says she now understands how manipulative and transparent Ava really is.

Given their horrible history, Nina goes in on Ava and how she should never have trusted her. Nina wants to know how long has Ava had this agenda dating all the way back to telling Nina to turn Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) into the SEC. Ava says she never told her do to that, but Nina wants to know how long Ava has been playing her for a fool.

Courtesy/ABC

Ava says she moved in with Sonny to keep Avery safe and she wants to be on good terms with Avery’s father, Sonny. Nina thinks she likes being in Sonny’s inner circle. Ava tells Nina if she goes to him about her advising Nina to call the SEC on Carly and Drew, it won’t work.  Sonny still considers Nina a traitor and he will think she’s lying because she’s so desperate to win him back. Ava says if Nina would stop blaming everyone else that maybe Sonny would respect her.  Nina says “like he does you?” Ava says Sonny not only respects her, but he also counts on her.

From there, Ava launches into why she and Sonny understand each other, after all, Sonny is a powerful, turbulent, and sometimes violent man. She goes so far to say if Nina wanted someone to just sit by the fire with and play with their grandchildren, she’s got the wrong guy.  Ava then talks about Mike from Nixon Falls (Sonny with amnesia) and how Sonny hid the darkest parts of himself from Nina back then, whereas with Ava they are the same similar creatures, so he doesn’t have to hide anything.

Courtesy/ABC

Nina wants to know just what Ava wants with Sonny? What is her end game? Ava responds that they understand each other, in ways she can’t with Sonny. Nina tells Ava she can go ahead and have it all and signs Sonny’s divorce papers. Ava walks out with the documents, while Nina in tears at her desk, takes off her wedding rings and has her assistant come in so she can messenger the rings back to Sonny’s address.

The episode and these scenes featured great performances by Cynthia Watros and Maura West. You can check some of the scenes below.

Now, let us know, what is Ava’s next move? Is she going to become Mrs. Sonny Corinthos? Do you like Ava and Nina as enemies? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital

If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?

Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series.  When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.

As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023.  Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.

Photo: JPI

Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”

Photo: ABC

Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.

So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.

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Breaking News

The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75

Meg Bennett, who had played Julia Newman and later became a writer for the top-rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 75.  The news comes from her family who shared that she lost her battle to cancer back on April 11th.

Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.

Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer.  Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.

Photo: JPI

Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.

In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro.  Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.

Photo: JPI

Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004.  She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.

Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.

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