General Hospital
Chris McKenna Shares How He Reconnected with Former TV Mom, Erika Slezak Upon Landing the Role of GH’s Jack Brennan
It’s been a full circle moment for General Hospital’s newest cast addition, Chris McKenna, upon taking on the role of WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief, Jack Brennan. Coming on to GH reunites McKenna with executive producer, Frank Valentini with whom he worked with when he started his soap career on One Life to Live when he was just 14-years old.
As previously reported, today on the February 4th episode of GH, McKenna makes his debut as Jack, replacing the outgoing Charles Mesure, who opted to leave the ABC daytime drama series and will be heavy in story with Laura Wright (Carly).
McKenna played Viki’s (Erika Slezak) son, Joey Buchanan from 1990-1993, and in a new interview with TV Insider, shared that him being the new Jack Brennan happened very fast. Chris shared, “Ive run into Frank over the years a couple of times, but he still thinks of me as 14 years old. So, I thought I was finally going to get in front of him and remind him that I’m an adult now (Laughs). As soon as I finished the read with Laura, which seemed to go pretty darn well, Frank said, ‘You were not this good when you were 12.’ And I said, ‘No s**t!’ ”

Photo: ABC
While Chris is used to playing the a spy or operative, this time on GH, he will be more of the James Bond-type as called for in the role of Jack, McKenna says he looks forward to the challenge, “I don’t usually play the guy in the suit; I’m in a tank top in the jungle, that kind of a CIA agent. So, this is a fun little twist on it.”
Perhaps most notable and touching is that McKenna reconnected with his former One Life to Live TV mom, Erika Slezak, when she was over the moon that he landed a role on GH.

Photo: ABC
Chris shared that Erika Slezak, “Apparently had just talked to Frank, and he told her that I was on the show, and she squealed and was so excited and she wrote me immediately to congratulate me, which is really great. She sends me Christmas cards and we exchange little messages, but that was the longest thing she’s written me, and I feel like we reconnected again because of that, so that was really cool.” Speaking the highest praise to the six-time Daytime Emmy-winning soap opera legend, McKenna added, “She’s my second mom.”
So, what do you think about the One Life to Live connection that brings Chris McKenna to General Hospital? What if Erika Slezak made a guest run as Jack Brennan’s mother? Are you willing to give Chris a chance to win you over as Jack Brennan? Comment below.
It is great to read he is still in touch with Erika. Let’s hope she is return to our screen soon too.
Yes!
He’s so hot and I wish Erika Slezak would go on a soap even if it was a for a few episodes here and there. She could be mistress of the plantation on Beyond the Gates or something.
You seriously didn’t suggest a soap legend should play “the mistress of the plantation” on a show with a predominantly Black cast in 2025?!?!?!
Disgusting.
OMG, that was so funny, I thought I’d never stop laughing. What Plantation, and I’m sure they buy their bananas, etc at Kroger, or whatever. I keep picturing Ms. Slezak in a big sun hat welcoming her visitors at her Plantation. Sorry for all this silliness but I can’t stop my imagination from going crazy.
I recently read that Kevin Fr m GH is on Beyond the gates.i haven’t seen it but did see him listed with the cast
You’re despicable!
Your continued racism is becoming quite old, Mimi.
Racism?!? Where?!? TF?!?
If you have to ask Nikki, then you are part of the problem.
“ What? Who me?” Love it when a person drops an obviously racist bomb predicated upon one of the most shameful period in US history and then acts bewildered when they’re called out on it. Mimi knows what she’s doing.
Excuse me??!! Talk about jackasses! You deserve so much more, but I am trying to keep it clean!
Recast for Monica….i love Leslie but would take her in the role. Imagine her sparring with Jane Elliott’s Tracy Q.
That will happen the day after I open a ski resort on Beelzebub Mountain
Not going to happen; she’s more likely being killed off, due to the real-life actor’s passing.
OH YEA!!
Just as Viki would never recasted after Erika played the role, Monica will never be recast.
Erika lives comfortably in Connecticut and would not move or regularly commute to LA for any role.
They had an actress playing Monica for a little bit, when she’s been sick in the past. Now we’re supposed to believe that Monica is in the bedroom upstairs
In real life, the actress passed away. So they need to either recast, or have her character also pass on the show. It’d be great if she left the house to Jason , Tracy would flip out!
As Leslie just passed away a few weeks ago, they need time to write a proper send off, gather clips and determine if any previous cast members should be invited back. They’ll give Monica/Leslie a proper send off sometime later this year.
As for who gets the house, I’ll save my projection until Monica’s passing is written in story.
If he brings Erica Slezak with him, I’ll give him all the chances in the world!
I am so happy that Chris stays in touch with Erika Slezak. They were so sweet as mother and son on One Life to Live. “She’s my second mom.” I love that.
I know that Erika lives very comfortably in the east; but, I’d LOVE for her to do a couple of episodes of GH as whatever character TPTB want to write for her. That would be fantastic. God bless her and her family.
would be fantastic if erika slezak whould be cast as brennan mother.
I’ve always been a big fan of Chris McKenna! I’m excited for him to make this role his own. I think he’ll do great.
I loved Chris on one life to live and I also love Erika Slezak ❤️
I’m already in love with with this Jack Brennan!
Me too! He’s a fantastic actor and love his take on Jack Brennan. He’s hot too!
Actually, I’d love to see Erick Slezak come on General Hospital as…Helena Cassadine! I know actress Constance Towers had retired and Helena is suppose to be dead, but she’s been ‘dead’ before and has come back , why not bring her back? Or maybe create a new Cassadine, Helena’s sister and have Erick play her
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brennan’s Eyes Are Opened About Carly and Valentin, Josslyn Finds Herself Locked Up Like Anna
In a pivotal episode of General Hospital, Monday, May 4 finally blew the lid off of Brennan/Carly/Valentin and showed off Josslyn’s super spy prowess, and Cassius dark side all in one fell swoop!
Here’s what went down: Brennan (Chris McKenna) went ballistic after catching Carly (Laura Wright) after hitting the sheets, only he didn’t know (yet) with whom. The Port Charles WSB Bureau Chief goes in on Carly wanting to know who is it that she is sleeping with. After his angry demand, Carly tells Jack to “turn around.” Thus, revealing Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) as the other man, who is holding a gun pointed straight at Jack.
Initially, Jack thinks Valentin played Carly due to their vendetta, but au contraire! Jack gets an earful about how Carly flew to Steinmauer posing as his attorney. When Jack tried to understand why Carly would betray him in such a way, Carly spelled it out for him.

Coutesy/ABC
Next, Carly let Jack have it for his lies and duplicity about her daughter, Josslyn (Eden McCoy). She knows that Jack recruited Josslyn into the WSB, preying on her grief over Dex’s death to get her to murder Cyrus Renault. Carly adds, you tuned my daughter, “into a lying, murdering spy, like you!” In tears, Carly told Jack that Josslyn will never be the same, because of what he did to her.
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY AND LIVING TO TELL ABOUT IT
Jack realized, Carly was the one behind getting Valentin’s transfer from Steinmauser. Now on the attack, Jack told Carly she will wind up in prison for aiding and abetting a fugitive. He tells her that Valentin will grab his daughter, Charlotte and disappear, and when that happens he won’t lift a finger to save her, in fact, (he throws in for good measure) that she might get lucky and thrown into a pit with Jason.

Valentin told Jack that if he didn’t help them, he will turn him over to Cullum, who he knows is a double agent and would like nothing better than to make Jack the fall guy for all of his own crimes. Jack apologized to Carly for lying to her, said he still loves her, but that he wonders how long it will be before Valentin betrays her too.
After the scenes aired, Chris McKenna took to X and shared, “And after we finished the last scene I ran over to Laura Wright and hugged her, and then pulled in James Patrick Stuart too. Thrilled to have that material with those legends. Hope you dig it.”

Courtesy/ABC
JOSSLYN LANDS IN A SLEEPER HOLD
In addition, Josslyn and Cassius (Ryan Paevey) had literally, a knock down drag out fight. First, after Cassius grabbed her arm as she was set to leave her apartment, he told her he knew she was WSB! Joss suggested that “Nathan” must be traumatized from years of being presumed dead. She grabs a candlestick and the two go at it complete with kicks, shoves, throws and all; leading to Cassius putting Joss in a version of the sleeper hold and making her pass out.
Later, Cassius calls for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), but speaks to Pascal (Marc Forget), that there is an issue that needs to be dealt with. At the end of the episode, Josslyn wakes up in the same room that Anna was driven crazy in which must be somewhere at Wyndemere, Cassius is seen looking through the one-sided window and we fade to black.
So, what did you think of the Carly and Valentin reveal to Brennan? Did Carly come out the victor in her payback to Brennan? Then, who do you think will figure out Josslyn is kidnapped? Will it be Brennan? Will he help her or use it as leverage against Valentin and Carly? Share your theories in the comment section.
General Hospital
How ‘General Hospital’s’ Ned and Lois Love Story Moved Rosabel Kurth, Daughter of Wally Kurth and Rena Sofer, to Tears and Served as Inspiration
In a case of life imitating art, literally, Rosabel Rosalind Kurth, the daughter of Wally Kurth (Ned, GH and Justin, DAYS) and Rena Sofer (Lois, GH) took to her Instagram over the weekend to share her emotional reaction to watching her now divorced parents real life love story play out on General Hospital; beginning in the early 90s when on-screen Ned and Lois were one of the “It’ couples of the show.
As Rosalind explained, it was the Lois and Ned’s love story that impacted her so much that it fueled one of her latest art projects. Here’s the backstory: Rena Sofer and Wally Kurth were married in 1995 after being in story on GH. They had Rosabel in 1996, before divorcing in 1997. The two had gone their separate ways for many years, and in 2023 resumed working together on-screen as exes Lois Cerullo and Ned Quartermaine on General Hospital.
Here’s what Rosabel shared in her post, “In 1993 Rena, my mom, was cast on General Hospital to play Lois Cerulo, a spunky band manager and romantic opposite to Eddie Maine (aka Ned Ashton) played by Wally, my dad. As Ned and Lois fell in love, so did Wally and Rena, following relationship milestones close behind the work of the script-writers. Until Wally and Rena got pregnant with Rosie, me, and the scriptwriters had to write in a new pregnancy and eventually a new character.”

Photo: WKurthIG
Rosabel continued the real-life back story, “My mom left the show to have me, and shortly after the love story stopped writing itself my parents divorced. For 27 years my mom and my dad had minimal contact at best, tense contact at worst… until 2023 when Rena was recast to return as Lois on General Hospital to help Eddie (Ned) with identity recall after a bout of amnesia.”
Next, Rosabel revealed the key scene between Lois and Eddie (Ned) in which she noticed it also seemed like a breakthrough moments for her parents, “Two years ago, at 27 years old, I turned on General Hospital to watch Lois and Eddie rehash the past, but what I really watched was Rena and Wally having a conversation, making eye contact and even smiling at each other in the same room at the same time. When I turned on this episode of GH I didn’t know that I’d get to see a flashback sequence encapsulating Lois and Ned’s entire love story in under 2 minutes and I certainly didn’t know it would move me to tears the way it did.”
The art project the talented Rosabel is working on she shared is called, “The Honeymoon Period.” It is the first part of what she imagines to be a years-long investigation of love and fantasy through the lens of my parents’ scripted romance. Kurth added, “I’m still gathering the courage and figuring out what this body of work will look like, how it will affect my relationships, and how I will share it with you all in the end and in the meantime.”

Photo: JPI
As a proud mama, Rena Sofer jumped into the comment thread and expressed, “Awwwww my love!!! I love this journey for you both as an artist and a daughter!! You are so lucky to have all of this on tape to watch and experience for yourself!! And equally as lucky to have your mother and father here to guide you through any questions that may come up!! I am immensely proud of you!” As soap fans know, Rena is also an artist having been making ceramics, pottery and the like.
You can watch the montage of Ned and Lois scenes below in Rosabel’s touching post below.
Now let us know, was Lois and Ned’s love story one of your all-time favorites on General Hospital? Are you glad that Rena and Wally got some closure from their 2023 reunion on-screen? What do you think of the artistic talents of Rosabel Rosalind? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Brennan, Cassius and Dante Discover Bombshell Revelations
This week on General Hospital, several men in Port Charles are about to find themselves in major confrontations as secrets are revealed! In the newly released promo for the daytime drama series in episodes airing May 4-8, first, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) talks to Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) about the night that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) was shot.
Dante believes someone else got their hands on the gun that wasn’t Jason (Steve Burton). Elizabeth says she thinks she knows who it is. Will she explain her theory that Dante’s son, Rocco (Finn Carr), was the shooter given the teenagers injured hand, even though the news will devastate the acting police commissioner?
Then, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, as Josslyn (Eden McCoy) went to exit her apartment, Cassius (Ryan Paevey) grabbed her arm hard not allowing her to go anywhere. Suddenly, we now see she is armed with a candlestick and is ready to club him! But is she able to succeed? Or will she wind up knocked out herself and taken captive to Wyndemere?
Finally, in the showdown that has been a long timing coming, a fuming Jack (Chris McKenna), who has storm trooped into Carly’s (Laura Wright) bedroom, finds her in between the sheets, but the person she was with was not there at the time.
Now in the pick-up, a spiteful Carly tells Jack to turn around, where it would seem he will see his nemesis, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), as the man sleeping with his supposed girlfriend.
In addition, take a look at the official GH spoilers for this week below.
MONDAY, MAY 4
Michael James Scott from Broadway’s Aladdin performs at the Savoy. Josslyn is in danger. Lucas is threatened. Brook Lynn is moved. Trina and Kai get amorous.
TUESDAY, MAY 5
Ethan delivers intel to Sonny. Ric is tested. Elizabeth makes a request of Laura. Chase and Brook Lynn discuss their future. Curtis confides in Jordan.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Britt is floored. Dante seeks out Liz. Ethan covers his tracks. Laura tries to protect a loved one. Sonny faces a dilemma.
THURSDAY, MAY 7
Carly gets alarming news. Valentin makes contact with Nina. Willow is confident in her plan. Trina and Gio make a pact. Molly is suspicious.
FRIDAY MAY 8, 2026
Sonny takes extreme measures. Carly makes an announcement. Dante is flabbergasted. “Nathan” puts pressure on Lulu. Felicia supports Lucas.
Check out this week’s GH spoiler video below entitled “Can’t Let You Go” below.
Now let us know, what do you think will happen to Josslyn in her confrontation with Cassius? Will Jack seek revenge on Valentin and Carly once he finds out she has been sleeping with the enemy? Will Dante get a clue his son shot Cullum? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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