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
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
Kearran Giovanni Debuts on ‘General Hospital’ as Anna Devane’s New Therapist

If Anna Devane’s (Finola Hughes) new therapist on General Hospital looks familiar to you, it’s because actress Kearran Giovanni, who plays Dr. Nichols, previously played a doctor on One Life to Live!.
Viewers tuning-in to the Thursday, September 10 episode of GH got their first look at Dr. Nichols who has been brought in to help Anna recover from her PTSD and trauma following the reveal that she has been suffering from a break in reality since before being put in mental health facility in France, after being gaslighted by Cullum and company earlier in the year.
One Life to Live fans will recall that Kearran Giovanni played Dr. Vivian Wright in 2009, and it was then she first worked with current General Hospital EP, Frank Valentini, who at the time was at the helm in Llanview.

Photo: JPI
WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU SEEN KEARRAN GIOVANNI?
Giovanni appeared on OLTL in the recurring role through 2012 and in the final ABC episode of the beloved series was the the ob/gyn who delivered Destiny Evans (Shenell Edmonds) and Matthew Buchanan’s (Eddie Alderson) baby into the world, whom they named Drew Buchanan II after Bo Buchanan’s (Robert S, Woods) late son. In addition, Vivian has been dating Shaun Evans (Sean Ringgold).
In addition to One Life to Love, Giovanni has very impressive credits having appeared in numerous TV series and motion pictures including starring in the TNT drama Major Crimes from 2012-18, ABC’s Designated Survivor 2017-19, the CW’s Black Lightning from 2019-20. Most recently, Giovanni appeared on the Fox series, The Resident and has a recurring role on the CW’s crime series, Walker from 202-2024.
HEALING ANNA
On today’s General Hospital, after Anna’s harrowing meltdown where she almost shot and killed Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) after seeing visions of “Peter August” (Wes Ramsey), Jason (Steve Burton) saved the day and talked Anna down from committing murder. Now, Dr. Nichols was introduced as a valuable staff member at the hospital. Although, this marked the first time in the history of the show we have heard of her character.
So, do you remember seeing Kearran Giovanni on One Life to Live? Happy to see that Anna may have a qualified therapist in charge of her healing, unless the doctor turns out to be not on the up and up? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
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