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GH’s Chris McKenna on the Potential of Sharing Scenes with Erika Slezak: “What I Wouldn’t Do to Work with Her for One Day Again”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

Will General Hospital’s Chris McKenna (Jack, GH and ex-Joey, OLTL) have his wish granted, and get the opportunity to work with his former TV mom, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki), now that the six-time Daytime Emmy-winning icon is headed to General Hospital this fall?

While GH and ‘One Life’ fans will have to stay tuned for that, Michael Fairman TV recently caught up with Chris on the red carpet at the Daytime at Night – A Benefit for St. Jude concert at the world famous Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles, to get his thoughts on a wide-ranging series of subjects now that he is fully implanted as the recast Brennan.

Chris weighed-in on a chance to work with Erika Slezak again, being involved on-screen with Laura Wright’s Carly Corinthos, all the while Brennan covers up the murder of Cyrus Renault and hides that fact from Carly that her daughter Josslyn (Eden McCoy) pulled the trigger and then he “persuaded” her to secretly join the WSB and she became a spy.

Courtesy/ABC

On ‘One Life,’ McKenna played a young teenaged Joey Buchanan from 1990-1993, and had worked with now GH EP Frank Valentini during his time in Llanview. Chris noted it’s been difficult in his career to shake-off people remembering him best as a young Joey.

THE JOEY BUCHANAN/ERIKA SLEZAK CONNECTION

“I was Joey to everybody … I was Joey to Frank,” shared Chris.”I’m glad, I’m finally changing some of that perception. As far as GH, I loved it from the beginning, but I’m settling in and making the character my own. It has gotten more and more satisfying and gratifying getting to do scenes with more people from the cast.”

Photos: ABC and JPI

Speaking on how he and Erika Slezak have maintained a close relationship over the years, McKenna recalled, “From my first day (on OLTL) she pulled my mother aside, and said, ‘That kid … he’s something.” That meant a lot to me to hear that that from her. It made me emotional just saying it now. Erika has been so supportive. She would pull me aside and she gave me so much attention. She protected me on the set. Erika would say that when the directors are misleading me, ‘to trust my gut.’ She still reaches out to me and we had been in communication. As soon as I got this role on GH, she reached out to me.”

“Erika Slezak means so much to me,” McKenna continued. “She still calls me her son, but says, ‘You’re not my son anymore. You’re so grown up.” I said, ‘Not true. It’ll never be true. I’m always your son.’ What I wouldn’t do to work with her for one day again.”

BEING A RECAST

Back in February of this year, GH surprised us all when it was revealed that Charles Mesure departed the series as WSB Port Charles bureau chief, Jack Brennan, and the role was recast with Chris McKenna. “I knew the challenge it was going to be and I had a like five days to get my head around it, so I was ready for it,” recalls Chris. “Sure. It was challenging, but I was up for it. I was a recast before on The Young and the Restless.”

Photo: JPI

McKenna played detective Mark Harding from 2014-2015 on the CBS soap opera when he became what was a last minute recast for the character of Detective Chavez, and, “When Detective Chavez (Ignacio Serricchio) went away, Harding became the guy, but it was all his lines, just a different character with me playing it. So, I already had a little experience doing this. This one role at GH is bigger, and a much more precarious situation, but it was great. Laura Wright and Eden McCoy are amazing to work, so it felt like home very quickly.”

BRENNAN, GOOD, BAD OR GRAY?

Jack Brennan seems to be towing the lines these days, not giving too much away and keeping his actions and his plans close to the vest. So, are we supposed to root for the guy? “I don’t know if he’s ever going to be a clean-cut wearing a white hat kind of guy. He’s gray all the way through, but he’s got a heart in there,” explains McKenna. “So, we’ll see what it prevents him from doing, or where it leads us. Brennan is going to be conflicted for awhile.”

Photo: ABC

In a huge bombshell that has yet to explode, Brennan has Josslyn working for him and the WSB to bring down Professor Dalton (Daniel Goddard), and she owes him for cleaning up the evidence that could connect her to killing Cyrus Renault. Namely, Brennan removed any trace of the body! “The WSB can cover up many sins,” shared Chris. “I had six scenes in a row of hammering home to Josslyn that she needs to get into the WSB, and all these speeches. Eden gave me a huge hug at the end of that day, when I was exhausted after doing three episodes on my first day, and was so supportive. We have so many more things coming up and it’s going to be lot of fun for the audience, I believe.”

CARLY/BRENNAN ROMANCE – CAN IT SURVIVE?

Everyone warned Carly Spencer to stay away from Brennan, because of his shades of gray, but you can’t stop Carly once she gets her mind set on something. Chris weighs-in on working with the dynamic Laura Wright. “She is wonderful. I have known her since I was a kid, too. She was the pitcher and I was the catcher on a Make-A-Wish softball team, recounts McKenna. “Fast-forward 30 years, and I couldn’t be working with a more incredible actress. We communicate well and we have a lot of fun.”

Photo: ABC

However, what does Chris think might go down, if and when, Carly learns how he has her daughter working as a spy for the WSB and that he never told her that Josslyn killed Cyrus Renault? “When the truth comes out, I think Jack’s an awfully persuasive guy. I know, Carly’s going to have a very serious point to raise and she would be very upset, but I wouldn’t count Jack out,” says McKenna with confidence.

So, do you hope that Erika Slezak might play Brennan’s mother? That way Chris and Erika could be reunited in a unique way on General Hospital? And, do you think Carly and Brennan have a chance, if and when, his secret about Josslyn is revealed? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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I would be over the moon for Chris McKenna and Erika Slezak to do scenes together on GH. They were so easy and natural as mother and son on One Life to Live. I hope Erika’s character enters Brennan’s orbit for a least a little while.

I am loving Chris as Brennan and the scenes of Brennan and Carly sizzle. More, more, more please. To TPTB, please put Chris on contract. He needs to be on more often and his photo definitely needs to be included in the opening titles.

Perhaps Vickie will expose that Brennam is really Joey and have been a secret WSB agent for years.

I really liked Chris on Y and R, but I love him as Brennan. He has done a great job making the character his own. He seems to be laying the foundation and hopefully will be able to stay around for a long time. I never watched OLTL but that picture of him with Ryan Phillippe is absolutely precious! Shall be fun to see the upcoming the Erika story arc:)

I just love Chris McKenna and want GH to start giving Brennan more story. GH needs to realize what an asset he is to the show and keep him on for years to come.
I watched OLTL since day one and it gives me chills to think he and his mom could possibly soon have scenes together again!!

I agree with you Shari. Chris McKenna needs a bigger story and much more air time. He is a tremendous asset to the show and should be on contract for years to come.

Like you, I watched One Life to Live from day one and watched until the end of the network run and the online run. I still miss it every single day.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava Spikes Brennan’s Drink as Drew’s Masterplan Begins to Unfolds

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Ava

The Friday, August 28 episode of General Hospital confirmed viewers suspicious from the ABC weekly promo that dropped earlier in the week. Ava Jerome (Maura West) is definitely the woman who is spiking the drink of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).

How did it all go down? Let’s recap. Ava met up with Drew (Cameron Mathison) at the Metro Court poolside, and he filled her in on his plan to use the thumb drive given to him by Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight) to interfere with the Metro Court Hotel’s security system by way of Carly’s (Laura Wright) office computer.

Next, Drew hands over an envelope with a sleeping pill in it with the demand the Ava somehow slyly slip into Brennan’s drink. Ava is not liking the idea of drugging the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief.

Courtesy/ABC

KEEPING BRENNAN OCCUPIED

Drew wants insurance that he has enough time to get into Brennan’s room unnoticed, and get the evidence that proved he embezzled money from the McConkey Esplanade project to fund his Congressional campaign away from Jack. He feels the sleeping pill will buy him the time he needs.

Ava accuses Drew of setting her up to take the fall, and she is now having second thoughts about them working together especially after her friend, Nina (Cynthia Watros) warned her about Drew, yet again.

Drew has a comeback for Ava. That is that Sonny (Maurice Benard) has a powerful ally in Mayor Laura Collins (Genie Francis), and he thought that he and Ava were each other’s best shot to team-up and take Sonny down for both their mutual gains. After all, Drew is targeting Sonny as the lynchpin for all his revenge, and Ava is sick of how Sonny dictates when she will see and raise their daughter, Avery.

DRINK UP!

Reluctantly, Ava took the pill from Drew to use on Brennan, only if she absolutely finds it a necessity to do so. As she is on her way to meet Brennan, she flashes back to Sonny calling her a “cancer who should be cut out of Avery’s life.” So, what does Ava do? For insurance, she crushes up the sleeping pill!

Next, Ava sits at a table at the Metro Court poolside with Brennan, and he seems to be knocking back a few drinks upset over his run-in earlier with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) and Carly. He suddenly gets a phone call that has to take in private and gets up from the table. That moments enables Ava to slip the crushed up sleeping pill into Brennan’s drink and stir it around. We fade to black.

Take a look at the scene where Drew slips Ava a drug to help tide over Brennan while he tries to retrieve the evidence Brennan is using to blackmail him below.

Now weigh-in: were you disappointed to see Ava back to her old devious ways? Do you think Drew will be successful getting back the evidence? Is this the beginning of the end of Jack Brennan since it as has been reported Chris McKenna is exiting the soap? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Double Emmy Nominee Jeff Kober Reveals He Would Be Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ If He Could Work Again with Genie Francis

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Jeff Kober and Genie Francis

Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault, General Hospital) has been in celebration mode since July after receiving not only a Daytime Emmy nomination for his role on the ABC daytime drama series, but a Primetime Emmy nomination for his dramatic turn on the HBO Max series The Pitt where he played patient Duke Elkins. The dual nominations mark the first-time in Emmy history that a performer has been nominated for both Emmy awards at the same time.

As GH viewers know, Kober made his debut in General Hospital as Cyrus Renault in 2020. He appeared in the show on-and-off for five years until his character was killed off in an episode that aired on February 20, 2025 ending Renault’s reign of terror.

In fact, it was Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) who shot and killed him, and along with Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna), covered it up. It was that moment that eventually turned Josslyn into an avenge-seeking WSB agent. Kober came back one last time to GH back in December of 2025, when he reprised the role in a dream sequence with Cyrus’ on-screen sister, Laura Collins (Genie Francis).

Courtesy/ABC

JEFF KOBER AND GENIE FRANCIS PLAYED TV BROTHER AND SISTER

Speaking with PEOPLE, Kober talked about his time on General Hospital and if he would ever consider returning to the soap opera if they were to resurrect the now deceased troublemaker Cyrus Renault, or if he even where to play someone else in Port Charles?

“I love to work and I would do anything with Genie (Francis),” expressed Kober. “She’s a great actress and a great scene partner. She’s someone who’ll go anywhere you want to go with them So, if they bring me back and let me work with her, I wouldn’t mind making the drive over to Prospect Studios.”

Kober added, “I would say I’m closest to her in that we both get excited when we can work together because both of us want to make it as rich as possible and find the dangerous areas of it, and see what happens there.”

WILL JEFF KOBER FIND HIMSELF WITH EMMY GOLD TWICE OVER COME THIS FALL?

Previously, Kober won the Outstanding Supporting Actor in Daytime Drama Series for his performances as Cyrus Renault back in 2022. He was also nominated in 2021. Now in 2026, Jeff finds himself among the nominees in the Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series category.

For the Primetime Emmy Awards, and also as had been previously reported, Kober submitted himself in the Guest category when the studio/network did not. Speaking to his decision to self submit, Jeff shared, “There are so many great performances on this show (The Pitt), and they have a limited number of people that they can submit. But I knew it was a job that I wanted to have seen. I knew the material and my particular wheelhouse were perfectly aligned, so I really wanted to at least have it be seen.”

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air live on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, while the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be streamed live on watch.theemmys.tv and associated apps on on Friday night, October 30 from Hollywood.

So, would you like to either see Cyrus Renault turn out to be alive … or Jeff Kober return to GH in another role and share scenes and a story with General Hospital icon, Genie Francis? Let us know via the comment section.

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‘General Hospital’ Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Action-Thriller ‘Supermax’

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Nicholas Alexander Chavez

Nicholas Alexander Chavez (ex-Spencer Cassadine, General Hospital) has booked another motion picture role, and this time it’s in the upcoming action-thriller Supermax. The Amazon MGM and Miramax feature is currently in production.

According to Deadline, character details for the film which stars Will Smith and AnnaSophia Robb, are being kept under wraps. Production began on Monday, August 24 in New South Wales, Australia, with support from the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund.

In story, Supermax follows two FBI agents (Smith & Robb) who investigate a seemingly impossible murder within the impenetrable walls of a maximum-security prison. Jaafar Jackson and Jason Clarke are also set for roles in the film.

SUPERMAX IS NEXT FEATURE ROLE FOR THE FORMER GH DAYTIME EMMY WINNER

Chavez’s casting announcement came with the addition of the former General Hospital Daytime Emmy winner, and three other actors who joined the production.

David Gordon Green directs the film from script by David Weil and David J. Rosen, with The Picture Company’s Andrew Rona & Alex Heineman producing alongside Smith and Adam Fishbach for Westbrook Studios. The plan is for Supermax to be released on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

After departing his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital in early 2024 (in a part part he had played since 2021), Chavez went on to star as Lyle Menendez in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. He then reunited with Murphy for the FX horror drama Grotesquerie as father Charlie Mayhew.

Coming up, Nicholas will be seen in The Technique, a psychological thriller, where he stars alongside Emma Roberts, Ben Platt and Noomi Rapace, as well as and the remake of the horror flick, Possession.

So, what do you think of Nicholas Alexander Chavez’s upcoming role in Supermax? Wondering what he will be playing in the action-thriller? Do you miss him on General Hospital? Let us know via the comment section.

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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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