General Hospital
Former Miss Alabama USA, Jesica Ahlberg Joins General Hospital In New Role!
Courtesy/JesicaAhlberg.com
More casting news out of ABC’s General Hospital. Former Miss Alabama USA 2014, Jesica Ahlberg, has landed the new role of Darby who will be arriving on the scene in Port Charles. Ahlberg makes her debut on the Monday October 19th episode of the long-running daytime drama series.
According to ABC Soaps In Depth, all that is known at the moment is Darby is a friend of TJ (Tequan Richmond) and Molly’s (Haley Pullos).
The actress/model took to Twitter to share her excitement on her first daytime soap role on Tuesday. Jesica tweeted: “Thanks for all the love! I’m thrilled to be playing Darby on General Hospital! I hope you all enjoy her as much as I do.”
Ahlberg’s previous credits have included roles on primetime TV series such as: Necessary Roughness and Banshee, and work in some feature films including: Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Roap Chip.
So, what do you think of GH’s new casting addition? Who will Darby ultimately be mixed-up with in story? Share your theories in the comment section below!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
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‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
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How old is she to be hangin’ with Molly and TJ??
She looks much older .
Ummm my thoughts exactly.
I hope she performs her scenes in a swimsuit high heels and tiara.
Pray her talent is acting. Or I fear GH Will get their very own Summer Newman
At least Hunter king, can act. She is a wonderful actress and has won 2 emmys, back to back. Torqumada who sound bitter of Summer Newman lol
Josh, I kind of think Hunter King is getting a bad rap.
Sure, I have no use for the character because she is written as a whiny, self absorbed narcissist with a sense of entitlement. But every now and then, when Summer is allowed to show some concern for other people, something shines through.
They just need to give the girl a story which doesn’t revolve around The Newmans and The Abbotts. I mean, what is this young girl doing with her life? Is she even going to college?
Let’s give this girl a chance. You must admit, Torqumada, gorgeous women have always been caricatured or given less respect than a plain Jane or an average looking woman ever has. That’s the story since ALWAYS…..until one opens her mouth. Looks do not always run parallel to one’s intelligence. Trust me. It is always taken for granted that a beautiful woman lacks wit/ wisdom/a brain. I suppose this is the way said women are portrayed, even in this, the 21st Century. That fact is perpetuated, without fail.
My question is, why hire more characters? There must be a reason.. As long as there is a purpose and/or consequence, then okay. But, if it’s to ‘vamp’ the set, well, I don’t know…..
GH already has a bloated cast. The last thing they need is another newbie much less a teen. Some long time characters already go missing for weeks.
Darby becomes the new wuv interest for Morgan only to learn they are half siblings-Brenda is her momma and Sonny her pappa!…he already has kids all over the place so why not…ok, she cant be…i just cant care for another newbie in an already bloated cast with several characters they dont even care to write for but yet bring in a newbie and can write for her?
Exactly, Jimmy. What happened to the Brad/Lucas/Rosalie storyline? I know that was so dumb to have Brad and Rosalie married….still, the storyline was just left hanging.
i already forgot that storyline but then again it was forgettable when i watched it..lol
@jimh.
Exactly my point, Jimh. Forgettable. Why? ….because ‘they’ are all over the map; yet, more characters are introduced.
Why can’t they work with the people that they have and write decent storylines for them? TJ and Molly are barely on anymore and when they are it’s lame. Not looking forward to this at all.
Amen! I want to see Felicia, Mac, Scotty, Lucy, “Doc”, Laura, Bobbie, etc. what hole did these characters fall through?
If you need to add someone, how about Jasper Jacks?
I believe the new writers said that the cast will be trimmed down (a bit).
How is adding trimming down? Is Ben Weston on his way to Port Charles?
i hope so…lol
Sigh!!! Nothing against Jesica but since when is the T.J./Molly story, if you even consider it a “story,” of big interest. I realize GH wants to attact the “preferred” demos, but so far they don’t have a great track record of giving the younger actors interesting storylines anyway. Sometimes you hear they go to school, but mainly they go to Kelly’s, and don’t appear to do anything except have parent and boyfriend/girlfriend problems.
I truly believe there is more potential with things that can happen in their lives. There were a couple of promising stories where writers dropped the ball…Molly writing her book and then having Connie steal what became a best seller (with a little editorial embellishment from Connie). And TJ’s run-in at Wyndoms Dept store.
And as other commenters point out, don’t forget the stable of great fan favorites who aren’t criminals and barely appear anymore. Life doesn’t stand still for them either.
Oh dear Lord, why? This sinking ship needed to get rid of excess baggage NOT add to it and certainly not introduce new characters. Stupid, stupid move and she is not even an actress, she’s a beauty contestant. Great, just great.
Not only that, Harry; but, there is a ten year difference between Jesica ( what happened to the other ‘S’ in her name, anyway?????) and Haley/Molly. Are they supposed to be school friends? Even Tequan /TJ is older (22)….but, at least he could pass as a teen. This girl looks like she’s been around the block a few times. She is gorgeous, though. I just hope her acting is as outstanding as her looks.
Cee Cee:
It reminds me of all those movie from the 80’s when they had thirty year olds playing teenagers.
In the cult classic Napoleon Dynamite there is a blond man with a receding hairline playing a school bully who is supposed to be sixteen years old. I am sure he’s forty if he’s a day. Perhaps that was part of the joke?
In any case, Vote for Summer!
@Harry.
Yeah, Harry. What about 90210. I caught a few episodes of that show….most of the characters were in their late twenties or early thirties playing teen-agers.
I agree so much on this! why, why, why yet another character when there are so many we need to unload on this show?!
lol!
it’s about money..
the creator of the character get money, money for the character as long as it lives!
but-
stupid to create a young one..
c’mon, teens do not watch soaps. it’s the 21st century and what interests teens/younger people have in media are not their grandma stories/soaps. LOL
Damn, Su000, we are agreeing wayyyyyy too much these days.
teens are glued to their phones not watching soaps and adults aren’t interested in teens. agree!
I second that Harry! Just what we don’t need, a beauty contestant playing an actress. Lordie.
I’ll withhold judgment until we see where this is going as I have high hopes that Ms. Passanante and Ms. Altman will deliver the goods.
While I’m here I’d like to renew my plea to Mr. Valentini to drop the actress who plays Kiki. Actually, go ahead and drop the character, too. I’d have much preferred that she was killed off versus Silas (or Duke, for that matter). In all of the years that I’ve watched this wonderful program I struggle to recall when I’ve fast forwarded through scenes but I fast forward through most of hers. They’re painful to watch and are tantamount to nails on the chalkboard. How about a return to Nina carrying around her revenge list (to which she recently referred) with Kiki on the top line? She needs to go.
Finally, regarding Maura West and Michelle Stafford…
Welcome back, Ava! We’ve missed you terribly. I’m surely not the only fan who believes that, along with the snooze-fest that was the pointless (and lifeless) takeover of ELQ storyline, the rise of Denise Dimuccio was the nail in the coffin for Ron Carlivati. I’m looking forward to Ava locking horns with Carly and, of course, Nina. Speaking of Nina…
Michelle Stafford is quite simply fabulous. She looks fantastic (especially so on Tuesday’s episode) and is a splendidly gifted actress. Her chemistry with Roger Howarth has the makings of a super couple. I’m hopeful that she’ll be given good stuff to play by the new writers. She’s a gem.
Agree with you on Kiki 100% and to have this troll living with Franco & Nina is absurd. Wish Kiki would go away; neither actress has done much with the character but the current one really grates my every last nerve! Michelle Stafford deserves a better story than having this brat hanging around.
She seems too old to be hanging with TJ and Molly? Okay, now that I got that out of the way, its time to be shallow! Can I please get a walk on role at GH and play her coffee mug! She is beautiful!
I like your humor, Timmm. She is striking, isn’t she?
My god!
I think she’s a female version of Nathan–all looks and no talent or substance. Nathan is so bad he manages to make the usually exciting Maxie seem dull.
I swear, it seems like Frank and the ABC suites are trying to sabotage GH.
Words from the wise; my husband. “You’re so smart, babe…but, with your looks, you don’t need smarts”. LOL. Nathan is good for my eyes and soul….very soothing, Harry.
Seriously speaking, I will not pass judgement on this most beautiful girl. I can appreciate your temerity concerning her acting ability, but one can be as beautiful as she is talented. My concern is, how will the male cast members be able to flawlessly go through their lines. They will surely stumble over them. And, speaking of stumbling, do you think Sonny will try to bed her? I mean, he has sampled most women in PC and beyond!
Harry – way to judge a book by its cover. “No talent or substance.” Wow. I hope people don’t judge you based on your looks. And by the way, it’s “suits” unless you’re talking about large rooms at the ABC offices.
Yes, AJ, I did mean to write suits. Thank you for correcting my minor typo with such angry, self-righteous indignation. (this blog site does not allow us to correct our mistakes after posting them).
However, I stand by the thematic thrust of my comment. I have seen this actress in the shows mentioned above and her acting is barely sub par. In fact, she cannot act her way out of a paper bag. Moreover, she is a decade too old to be hanging out with the teenagers as if she were a peer. Finally, we do not need new characters right now when there is not decent writing being afforded to the characters we have on the canvas right now.
And sorry Miss Cee Cee, I know you like him but Nathan is played by a horrible actor, and the actor does not seem to grow better with time. The last thing GH needs is more superficial eye candy.
Harry, Nathan and Kiki had a scene on Wednesday and it was so bad I was hoping Chloe would hop over from Y&R and mistake me for Adam and put me out of my misery!
First let me say she could be the worst character ever on GH. Or she can be the best character ever on GH. Who knows. Exactly! Who knows? You people are bashing this poor girl, even mocking the spelling of her name (CeeCee – I don’t know where the other “S” is, but maybe you can loan her a C or an E). Last I checked, GH was a soap. You know what soaps do? They add and subtract characters. A lot. There are also 2 new writers. There’s going to be upheaval. No doubt about it. There will be changes. This girl may be on the canvas for 2 months. Or she could be on for 20 years and be so beloved. Again, we don’t know that, but give the poor girl a chance and give the new writers a chance. Don’t you all want GH to succeed? It doesn’t seem like it from reading these comments.
AJ,you are taking our comments way too personally. In fact, your responses seems rather shrill and hysterical.
The fact is GH does not need new characters–they need to get rid of the excess baggage. The timing could not be worst and you must understand this.
Folks are feeling that GH is guilty of self-sabotage and this idiotic casting choice is yet another example of this.. It’s nothing personal against Miss Alabama. It’s not about her but what she represents.
I am sure she can twirl a baton just brilliantly.
Yes, subject verb disagreement. I am guilty as charged.
So sue me.
Nope, not taking it personally and no hysterics either. I just hate to see such negative attitudes about a show that we all devote a great deal of time to and that we all supposedly love.
But as I said above, and maybe I missed it somewhere, but no where is there an indication that this is a contract role or even a “heavy recurring” role. She could be on for a few weeks and that’s it. Maybe she serves as a plot device for Tequan to leave the show to film his pilot.
I will try again, since the moderators did not like my response to you; nonetheless they have allowed your very offensive words to appear. Why? Why does my nickname bother you? My sibling has called me that as a small child. …..could not say Cecelia; so it stuck. Why are you bombarding me and Harry? I said nothing untoward about ‘Jesica’ whose name, I assumed was misspelled……it happens all the time. My question was rhetorical. She is gorgeous and I will wait to see if she WOWS us. I will not put the cart before the horse, per se.
Additionally, this site is dedicated to positives and negatives. It is intended for us to give opinions ….what and how we feel . I don’t know how many times I have said this. Our comments cannot please everyone. But, as Harry pointed out, you seem to take it personally. Did anyone direct a comment to you? No one has. But, you took it upon yourself to target me and my name.
I cannot comment on this girl’s acting. And, I haven’t. How could I? I never even heard of her until now. I do not know her work. I can only judge her physical assets, at this point. She is, by far, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. And, I’m a girl!!! Women are the best judge of other women.
Also, LOAN in a noun, not a verb. If you are to correct people’s grammar, then sobeit. At least Harry made a typo, not a grammar error. That’s the difference. There is no reason for you to poke fun at my moniker.
UGH!!! I don’t want to bash anyone who’s just trying to earn a living, but I really don’t want any more new characters or returning characters for a long while. GH is so full of characters I like and only get to see once a month. There are so many story lines that are played the same way or left waiting in the wings forever.
I am hopeful that his new writing regime ties up all those loose ends before moving into new stories. I’d like to know what’s going on with Brad/Lucas/Rosealee. What’s happening with Monica and the judge? How about Epiphany and Milo? Whatever happened with Molly’s writing career; her published book? What about Shawn being TJ’s daddy? How Helena able to keep Robin away when Nicolas seems to have neutralized her? I’m sure I’m missing a few, but who’s going to care? How are we, the audience supposed to care about any of the story lines if they are constantly dropped all the time or only played once a month?
I love GH despite all these comments and even though I think it’s a train wreck of late. There’s so much good and so much bad. I hope they can get it together before I start thinking it’s more bad than good. I think they can.
If you look @ her long enough she could pass for a long lost Corinthos’
I think that Darby is Sonny and Sam’s daughter that died at birth why not they all end up dead and yet come back!!
I did some research on that back story, Ashleigh. How different was Sam back in the day?
That’s a very good assumption on your part……or, any of the other women Sonny ‘touched’; hither and yon.
I am very much looking forward to make Darby’s acquaintance. Take care of yourself, Ash.