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Chris McKenna Pushes Back Against Online Negativity Towards Him and His GH Co-Stars

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

It’s never an easy task to come into a long-running daytime soap opera, and take over the role from another actor, who became popular with the audience and for whatever the reason that actor is no longer playing the part. Most of the time, and over time, the successor usually winds up going over with the viewers and they become the recognized face of the said role.

Former One Life to Live favorite Chris McKenna (ex-Joey Buchanan) took over the role of General Hospital WSB Port Charles bureau chief, Jack Brennan from Charles Mesure. In what was a surprise move to GH fans, McKenna suddenly debuted on-air in the part back on the February 4, 2025 episode. It was eventually revealed that Mesure chose to vacate the role. Mesure had last been seen on your screens on the December 1, 2024 episode of the series.

As has been the experience of many soap opera stars or people in the spotlight, they are often on the receiving end of harsh negative comments typed by people on their keyboards and attacked on social media platforms, poked fun of, and not only include the person they are attacking but their co-workers … in Chris’ case, his GH co-stars.

Photo: ABC

Taking to his account on X, (where Chris is very active in an engaging with his followers) he posted this message on May 6, “Guys, say whatever you like. But there’s no need to @ me with complaints about my friends, cast mates, bosses, and colleagues. @ ing us is a privilege easily revoked. And if you’re worried there’s not enough negativity on the internet you can take the day off. You’re covered. Be nice.”

When asked by some in the comment thread, to show an example of a post that brought about his initial message, Chris shared, “Some lunatic posted on all my insta that I was an ‘old ugly grandpa!!!!’ and ‘how dare you come between Joss and Carly!!!!!” A fascinating melange of delusions.” Responding to another who agreed it was inappropriate, McKenna added, “Lol yeah on one hand they were making fun of me for being an old father irl yet Joss and Carly were also real.

When clarifying a bit more about attacking his GH co-stars, one of the references was about a post of himself along with longtime GH staple, Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on Instagram. Chris added, “I posted that pic of Finola and some commented ‘whenever I see her I keep scrolling’. I said, ‘well apparently not, next time you should do that.'”

Photo: ABC

He shared he got a response back in all caps in vitriol stating,“MY CHOICE!!! WHO ARE YOU HER KEEPER?!” McKenna added, “(I don’t think they realized they were talking to me.) Naw dude I’m her friend. Ain’t nobody got time for that.”

Even with some negative messages, McKenna also added in another post on X on May 6, “To be clear 95% of what I’ve received here has been lovely. Which is WAY more than I expected. It’s why I’ve been encouraged to share so much with you folks. Thanks.”

And just for clarification’s sake, a fan commented how they missed the accent on Brennan when Charles Mesure played the role while Chris does not play the character with an accent. McKenna answered, “I don’t begrudge you any of those feelings! Thanks Btw, there was talk of my doing the accent. I’ve done it before. Even British. But in the end they decided to let me be me.”

So, what do you think about Chris standing up against online trolls and negative comments? Are you enjoying his work as Brennan now that we are several months in from his initial debut? Are you rooting for Jack and Carly at this point? Share your thoughts in the comment section,

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This really disturbs me.
I have watched Chris since he was a young teen on OLTL and it’s wonderful to have him back on a soap.
The previous actor CHOSE to leave. I liked him in the part, but Chris has made it his own and I look forward to his story with Laura Wright every day.
There is no room for the mean, negative posts he is receiving and I hope he knows that there are many of us who are enjoying his work and love that he is so generous with his fans.

I totally agree with you! I watched him on OLTL too. I really enjoy his interpretation of Brennan and like his chemistry with Laura Wright!

The way “fans” treat actors is crazy sometimes. It’s also pretty sad that people can’t separate the actor from the role. I mean, Chris is not getting between Carly and Joss – Brennan is. And you know why he’s doing it – because the writers wrote it that way. I don’t mean this as mean, but it’s like a mental disease – people who can’t separate fiction from reality.

Chris is HOT

I’m so sorry Chris has to deal with such inappropriate behavior. Good for him standing up for himself and his co-workers. No matter where you go or what you do, there are always those who enjoy spreading negativity and hate. Personally, I enjoy Chris as Brennan and hope his story expands and continues.

I like Chris and have since OLTL. He is doing a fine job. Some ppl just have to complain. The former actor chose to leave. So I say leave Chris alone and stop complaining when he is doing great!!

Some people have way too much free time.

I swear, soap viewers can be some of the most unhinged, delusional television viewers of all-time.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Talks On Where Joe Fitzpatrick is Headed and Soap Opera Shirtless Scenes

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Jonathan Bennett

It had become abundantly clear that roomies Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) and PCPD detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) seem destined towards a romance on General Hospital.

In fact, to get Lucas all hot and bothered (although he does fully let on), during the Friday, October 16 episode, the good doctor helps Joe pick out something less stuffy to wear to a bar to meet people.

However, the moment is met with Joe taking off his shirt in front of Lucas and doing a quick change from sport coat and button down shirt to a more relaxed casual button down shirt. In fact, the ABC soap opera even called out the moment as their clip of the day (see below).

Lucas and Joe

Courtesy/ABC

MAJOR STORY TEASE FOR JOE

Bennett spoke with OUT in a new feature about what may be on the horizon for the by-the-book Joe and the moral Lucas, and how he learned that once the producers and writers on a soap script in a shirtless scene, if it goes over well, said actor, can expect many more in the months to come!

“I’m so excited for the audience to see where my character goes on General Hospital. It’s going to be monumental and I think people are going to love it,” teased Bennett. “I was shirtless in an episode and so petrified to shoot it,” he added. “I wanted to look my best and feel good. I really worked hard to get my body to a good place and I did it.”

STAYING CAMERA READY

However as Jonathan points out, now he is finding himself half-naked in upcoming scenes as officer Joe! “I think I shot myself in the foot! Now that I did it once and it turned out well, every few weeks I read a script and I’m coming out of the shower, changing my shirt, or in the bathtub,” revealed Jonathan.

So, how does he keep camera ready? “I’m in the gym more, I have a better diet,” pointed out Bennett. “You have to stay healthy if you’re going to be shirtless every few weeks! I’m gay, an only child, and an actor. Of course I love the attention!”

While Bennett’s Port Charles story is going to reveal itself in the coming months, you can also see Jonathan back as the host of The Food Network’s Halloween Wars 16th season which concludes on Sunday, October 25.

Now below. check out the scene in question from Friday’s GH entitled, “Lose the Shirt.”

Weigh-in: What do you think will be “monumental” that Jonathan has teased that viewers will find out about Joe in the coming weeks? Are you feeling the on-screen chemistry between Joe and Lucas? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Wil Traval Talks His ‘General Hospital’ Debut and Being Paired with Kelly Thiebaud

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Wil Traval

The Friday, October 16 episode of General Hospital marked the on-screen debut of the mysterious Jude, played by primetime vet and Australian-born Wil Traval.

While not much has been revealed just yet, Traval spoke to TV Insider in his first conversation since joining the iconic ABC soap opera in a new interview out today.

As GH fans witnessed, Jude was introduced in scenes at a bar with Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and it would seem this may be her new leading man after things went south between Britt and Jason (Steve Burton). Traval said of working with the Daytime Emmy-winning Thiebaud, “I can’t speak more highly of her. I think she’s fantastic. It’s the biggest delight in my life to be working with her.”

Jude and Britt

Courtesy/ABC

FROM BROKEN BACK TO PORT CHARLES

As it turns out, Wil was supposed to be on board for a very short visit to Port Charles. However, as he revealed, things didn’t go the way he planned and his stay got extended!

“Originally, it was going to be a short guest role, I believe, and at the end of the week I got a call saying they might want to offer me a contract on the show, which was a real surprise and delight.” the actors shared.  “And the rest is history from there.”

The road to General Hospital was not an easy one in some other respects. Traval was in the middle of recovering from a car accident that broke his back when he got the call to submit a self-tape for the role of the mysterious stranger back in June. Suddenly, he found himself getting a callback which in turn led to a chemistry read with Kelly Thiebaud.

WHO IS JUDE?

In the week to come, General Hospital viewers will learn Jude’s connections to the residents of Port Charles and his true identity.

With an Australian contingent on the canvas, and its tentacles throughout GH history including: Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer); Robert Scorpio (the late Tristan Rogers); and Josslyn’s father Jax (last played by Ingo Rademacher), and Jerry Jacks (last played by Sebastian Roche), one would think Jude HAS to be tied to these characters from down under, or does he?

So, what did you think of Wil Traval’s on-screen debut as Jude? Who do you think he will be revealed to be connected to? Do you think Jude will make a solid leading man for Kelly Thiebaud’s Britt Westbourne in story? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Swickard Stars in Faith-Based ‘The Space Between Us’ as The Man Who Has an Affair with a Married Woman

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Josh Swickard

While General Hospital’s Harrison Chase’s (Josh Swickard) marriage to Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) has seemingly come to an end based on trust issues, and his unrelenting believe of the innocence of his ex-wife Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) when she has committed heinous crimes, Josh Swickard is also being featured in another story on another platform in the new faith-based movie, The Space Between Us.

In the streaming feature now on the Angel platform, Swickard is playing Levi Boone, a handsome young solider, who finds himself attracted to a married woman played by Jennifer Taylor. The two have an affair. The movie made it’s debut last week on October 8.

According to the loglines, “The Space Between Us dives deep into modern relationships, following marriages straining under the heavy weight of busyness, unmet expectations, and spiritual disconnection. Described as a story of grace in the mess, the film takes a grounded, deeply relatable look at how even the best intentions can fall apart—and how faith, strong community, and honest vulnerability can bring true healing.”

Josh Swickard

Photo: Angel

In a cast interview, which features Swickard, Taylor and Kristoffer Poloha, the trio discussed their thoughts on betrayal in marriage, and who’s right and who’s wrong and more.

Josh Swickard explains, “The audience can get it from a lot of sides too where we can show it, and if you have crossed that line in your marriage. it doesn’t have to be over. And when two people are willing to work, anything’s possible. Not giving the end away. I’m just saying. It could happen. It could happen. People can end up together.”

Meanwhile, Kristoffer Poloha added, “Like, wait a minute, but this other guy steps in and I think passion takes over. I think what you see is how easy it is to stumble. Whether it’s adultery or whether it’s another type of sin, you can basically burn your house down in many different ways and how quickly it is to light that fire.”

The Space Between Us is from Canyon Productions. The company delivers faiith-based media designed to encourage, inspire, and uplift viewers along their spiritual journeys. By showcasing the genuine struggles and eventual triumphs of relatable characters facing tough real-world challenges, Canyon aims to create projects that point audiences directly toward hope and perseverance.

You can check out the discussion between Josh, Kristoffer snd Jennifer Taylor on what happens with their characters in the film below, followed by the scene where Swickard’s Levi meets Taylor’s Mona  … and her husband!

So, will you be checking out Josh Swickard in The Space Between Us? What do you think about GH’s Chase, portraying the man that ignites passion in a woman who previously had been faithful to her marriage? 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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