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: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!
Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).
GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Courtesy/ABC
A VISIT WITH DAD
Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.
Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!
Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.
Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!” The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR
While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).
Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.
An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process. As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”
CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER
At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.
Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.
So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section, but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.
General Hospital
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof

Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.
Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.
In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?

Photo: HOORAE
The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.
The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.
General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.
Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.
Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).
In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.
Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Courtesy/ABC
BOATHOUSE BRAWL
In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.
Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.
However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Courtesy/ABC
Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.
WILL SCOUT WISE UP?
At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.
Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.
So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.
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