General Hospital
GH’s Finola Hughes Chats on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, New Directions for Characters in Port Charles, and Anna’s Love Life
In four out of the last five years, General Hospital favorite, Finola Hughes (Anna Devane), has almost become a perennial nominee having once again scored a Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress for the upcoming 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Hard to believe, but Hughes won her one and only Daytime Emmy back in 1991, and has amassed a total of 11 Emmy nominations during her enduring daytime drama career. As those who have watched GH know, throughout any calendar year, you can find numerous stellar performances by Finola that could be tops on any Emmy reel.
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Finola during the 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special to get her reaction to landing in the field of six fantastic women vying for gold, what scenes went on her now Emmy-nominated reel, what she thinks of how GH is shaking things up under new head writers, Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte, and the future of Anna’s love life. Here’s what she shared below.
Photo: ABC
What scenes did you wind up submitting that landed you in the running for the Daytime Emmy in this year’s Lead Actress category?
FINOLA: The whole Charlotte (Scarlett Fernandez) shooting and the accident and that whole thing. Then, talking about that with Sonny (Maurice Benard), and then a bit of the breakup with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), and then finding out that Valentin had lied.
Who helped you put the reel together?
FINOLA: One of our producers at GH, Michelle Henry. We have these amazing producers. They’re sort of the unsung heroes. They’re in the booth all day when we’re shooting. They do this wonderful thing where they earmark something, if they think that it’s been a good performance. So, they just have this sort of little list (that helps come Emmy time). So, that’s how that worked with Michelle.
Photo: ABC
Now you’ve had a string of recent Daytime Emmy nominations. Do you think GH is writing more for your strengths in the last several years?
FINOLA: Yes, and I think it’s become stronger recently. I think writers really take the lead sometimes from an actress or an actor who’s going through something or moving through something in their life. Maybe, that’s they were just seeing, you know, different layers and colors and so they started to write to that. I’m not sure. It certainly felt like I’ve had some things (material) that resonated with me.
What I have loved about Anna is that she is very complex. She often wrestles with herself over her past as a double agent, or certain guilt that she carries around. It’s interesting when the lines are blurred for her and things get messy.
FINOLA: I do well with complex and I like messy.
So, what do you think about the nominees in the Lead Actress category with you?
FINOLA: They are great. I don’t know Annika Noelle (Hope, B&B) very well, but I hear she did wonderful work and she sent me a lovely message. Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, B&B) I obviously reached out to, Tamara Braun (Ava, DAYS) reached out to me, and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R) and I just got on the phone last night and congratulated each other on our nominations, and of course, Cynthia (Watros) is here with me at GH.
Photo: JPI
You do like do like the fashion of it all for Emmy night, correct?
FINOLA: God, I I live for it. I’m as shallow as that. I might play some complex on television, but I’m that shallow in real life.
So, do you go by the trends of what to pick out to wear for a red carpet, or you just kind of go off what you think looks good on you?
FINOLA: I do like the trends. I really like the fact that the sleeve is having a big moment right now since the film Poor Things. It sent it into the stratosphere.
It’s been 33 years since you won your last Emmy. Do you think you’re a better actress now than when you were even 10 years ago?
FINOLA: I have no idea. It feels like a game of golf always for me, because get on set, like today, I was doing some work this morning and I just doubt myself. I’m like, “Did I really bring it?” I do think I’m harder on myself now than I was when I was younger, because I really didn’t know what I was doing at all. It’s a very hard question to answer. I feel like it’s different, but I’m constantly in battle with myself as to whether something works or not.
Photo: ABC
What are your thoughts then on being Emmy-nominated, at times, for more than three decades?
FINOLA: At this point in my life, I just find the whole thing encouraging and extraordinarily sort of affirming, and sweet and lovely. It’s extraordinary to even be acknowledged. That’s the truth.
Currently, on-air, Anna is taking a harder line with Sonny. There’s been a shift.
FINOLA: Yes. That’s been really interesting. I was talking about this with Steve Burton (Jason), and we actually were working together today. We found like this level between the two of us when it comes to Sonny. It was just really like another whole level as to what I’m doing. I think what’s happened is people’s roles in Port Charles are becoming delineated, you know, where there’s less gray. It’s like we’re sort of moving into areas, right? All of us. That’s kind of great because then you’ve got the hospital, you’ve got the police station, you’ve got the mob, you’ve got the Quartermaines you’ve got Curtis’ nightclub, and so there’s these different areas. Then, your character becomes very specific. I had those scenes with Genie Francis (Laura) that aired the other day, and it makes sense that we are sort of waking up because unfortunately Sonny’s going through something which we don’t know about, but he’s not behaving well. So, therefore we are like, “If he would do that, then we need to wake up to that Sonny has always been like that.” But, it’s not true. Sonny hasn’t always been like that. We still deal in the gray, because we are searching for the gray in ourselves, which is interesting. And then we have to make a decision, such as, “Where do you stand? Who are you actually?” I think posing those questions to the actual characters is kind of interesting.
Photo: ABC
Now, who’s going to be the man in Anna’s life?
FINOLA: Well, I want to do some more stuff with James. Obviously, James and I text all the time about how we’re not working together. We all know what Valentin’s up to. However, Anna doesn’t quite know.
I was originally thinking they might put John “Jagger” Cates (Adam Harrington) in a romance with Anna?
FINOLA: Oh, I know. I love Adam. He’s so wonderful, and so is Charles Mesure (Brennan). Obviously, Laura Wright (Carly) has been working with the two of them as well. They’re both looking like they are in love with Carly, so what can I do? I’ll just take the leftovers. However, I’m hoping that I get to play Valentin. The thing that’s interesting is that he’s a Cassadine. His father has now passed on, so he’s now at the front of the wagon of the Cassadines. It’s in his blood. So, I don’t know what they’ll do.
Photo: ABC
What was our family’s reaction when you told you are an Emmy nominee?
FINOLA: We had just taped three days of a very big event on the show. I was really tired yesterday and I was sort of laying down pretending to take a nap, as I never can nap in the middle of a day. Then, Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital) called me to say that, Cynthia Watros and myself, had been nominated for Lead Actress. So, I actually got up and I walked outside and my three kids were sort of wandering around doing kid teenage stuff. I sort of told each of them individually. I was like, “I got nominated.” They actually said, “Congratulations!” So, I think it actually resonated through the haze of online extravaganzas that teens are looking at it.
Make sure to check out the 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special from this past Friday night below, where several of this year’s Daytime Emmy nominees stopped by the Michael Fairman Channel to share their reactions and more on going for gold come June 7th.
Now let us know, are you happy Finola was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series? Who do you hope Anna winds up with romantically down the line on GH under new head writers, Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
There are only a few soap stars that would leave me at a loss for words if I met them. Finola is at the top of the list. She is the epitome of class, talent and beauty. I wish her the best of luck against the other talented ladies.
Of course I’m happy that Finola has been nominated but as Anna I am very upset by her change of heart, etc. of Sonny. As friends he’s always had her backside when she needed, even recently providing her with a bodyguard 24-7.Now she coaxed Cyrus to make a statement against Sonny for beating the crap out of h
The above was was posted too soon, as I was saying, she’s talked Cyrus into making a statement against Sonny, which I know a lot of viewers are so happy about, because Sonny is such a bad person that beat up this poor old man. I’m sick of this whole new writing regime, just changing people’s characters, willy, nilly. Finola says she and Laura are ” waking up” to the real Sonny. Hopefully , they will find out what’s really happening to him and try to save him by still being an old friend and not a new enemy.
I love Anna but I prefer her as a WSB agent, as the police commisioner she’s to law and order, and I prefer her as a spy were she’s more grey then black or white, as for couple paiing again I think Valentine is the better pairing, jagger went to school with Robin for crying out loud, so nay on that. I’m not sure I’m loving anything the new writers are doing, so far the shows that have aired since they’ve taken over are consistently boring, I hope things start looking up, and some of the direction the characters are going though is unbearable, its like this new writing team want to change everything the other writing team was doing yet everything is still the same if that makes any sense?. Sonny loosing his marble every episode is exhausting to watch, Ava is creeping me out, drooling over Sonny and did she forget the last time she mess around with someone’s meds how it turned out for her? I know she didn’t mess with sonny’s this time but she’s keeping it a secret, and is she so desperate she doesn’t care about her friendship with Nina? and does Laura Wright have it in her contract that every guy must first fall for Carly before they find any other women attractive? why does Jason look like he want to cry? or does he just have watery eyes?
She’s so damn talented, beautiful and yes, gracious. It’s telling that even the affable FH has to admit that her character can’t have a chance with John and Brennan because “ it looks like they are in love with Carly.” Honestly this Carly centric writing has to end. Why does she get first dibs on all of the new leading men who show up in Port Charles? And are we really suppose to believe that the coarse, loud mouthed, low brow Carly is this irresistible goddess? There is a startlingly disparity between the fantasy of Carly and the reality of her. In other words, The Emperor ( Empress) has no clothes.
So happy for her! Well deserved!
Love Finola. Love Japastu who is so back-burner right now that it seems we have only seen him once every few weeks. He is electric in every scene and always has been. Please get him back in front-burner status and put them back together in any capacity. Hopefully one in which it is a ruse he is heading Pikeman so they can be a couple again. Would be a lovely change of pace to see her rescue him- emotionally etc. His character’s wounded unworthiness is riveting when they allow him to play it. Congrats to Finola, and please bring Japastu front and center again with her! They are pure magic together.
O.k I’ll bite, who the hell is Japastu??
In a surprise casting move, General Hospital has recast the role of Serena Baldwin, the biological daughter of Scott Baldwin and the late Dominque Stanton with former The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful actress, Kelly Kruger.
As longtime GH viewers know, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) was actually the surrogate for Scott (Kin Shriner) and Dominique (Shell Danielson), since the latte was dying from an inoperable brain tumor. Sadly, she passed away before Serena was born. If you recall, Scott and Lucy named Serena after Dominique’s family estate, Serenity. TV Insider shared the casting news of Kruger taking over the role previously played by Carly Schroeder.
Kruger expressed on joining GH, “I am so excited to be joining the show “It’s a literal dream come true to finally get to work with Frank Valentini (EP, GH) and Mark Teschner (casting director, GH) after all these years! Daytime has a very special place in my heart, and I have always wanted to work with the actors and writers on this show. I truly believe the level of talent and work they put out is the absolute best.”
Photo: ABC
The actress starts filming today on June 8 at the set of the ABC soap opera. In a statement, Frank Valentini shared, “I am excited to have Kelly Kruger join the cast of General Hospital. She’s a terrific actor and we look forward to working with her.”
Daytime fans remember Kelly from The Young and the Restless where she played the role of Katherine Chancellor’s (the late Jeanne Cooper) granddaughter, Mackenzie Browning from 2002 to 2003 and reprised the role in 2018 and 2019. Later, she appeared in the recurring role of the publicist named Eva on The Bold and the Beautiful (named after longtime VP communications vet, Eva Basler who was recently let go by the show in their behind the scenes layoffs).
SERENA HEADS BACK TO PORT CHARLES
The character of Serena was last seen on-screen in 2017, when she returned to town to mourn her grandfather, Lee Baldwin (the late Peter Hansen). The last time we heard of an update on Serena’s life was back in 2022, when Scott shared he made a trip to the Faroe Islands to see his daughter because she has been arrested for getting in trouble with dolphin hunters.
When Serena returns to Port Charles, she will also have a half-brother on the canvas in Cody Bell (Josh Kelly) as well as Lucy. Will we have more of Scott on the screen too? We shall see.
Since being away from the soaps, Kruger has become a major TikTok influencer and content creator in the beauty world. In fact, Kelly was named TikTok Shop’s Beauty Creator of the Year in 2025.
Previously, Kruger was married to Darin Brooks (Wyatt Spencer, The Bold and the Beautiful) who also just recently returned to daytime. She opened up about their split back in March. The two share daughters Everleigh Jolie, 6, and Gemma Wynter, 4.
As a preview of what’s to come, Kruger commented on Threads, “This is the absolute perfect fit and I can’t wait for you all to meet Serena!!!!! There is truly no world like the soap world. The fans, the community and the family. I’m so so grateful.” Since GH generally tapes six weeks in advance of air, fans can expect to see Kelly as Serena later in July, although no official first airdate is available at this time.
What do you think of General Hospital bringing back the character of Serena Baldwin and casting Kelly Kruger in the part? Who do you think Serena will be a new love interest for on the canvas? Could it be Ethan Lovett or someone else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Weekly Promo: Lucas Puts His Life on the Line, Cassius is Enraged at Cullum Over His Mutter
It’s a pressure cooker week on all-new episodes of General Hospital beginning today on Monday, June 8. In the newly released video teaser promo for the ABC daytime drama series, it appears anger management may be needed, before its too late!
First, Portia’s (Brook Kerr) baby shower will be a tension-filled affair with Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson), and Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) arm and arm. Isaiah informs Portia, “I’ve decided to take Curtis to court myself.” Then, we see asking none other than Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) Davis if she would defend him in the case, where he is being accused of assaulting Dr. Gannon and thus ending his surgical career because of the injuries sustained in his hand. Can this baby shower even be a happy moment for Portia?
Meanwhile, Cassius (Ryan Paevey) is enraged to learn that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) has kidnapped his mother, Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) to finish Faison’s final project in the absence of his sister, Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) who is MIA along with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr). Then, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is seen with an unconscious Obrecht next to her, realizing she has a kidnap mate! Will Cassius continue to lock-up his own mutter?
Courtesy/ABC
CORNERED FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT
Then, it looks like Dr. Lucas Jones’ (Van Hansis) plans to get Sidwell (Carlo Rota) caught in the process of an attempted murder (his own!) has gone awry. Lucas has been making his presence known to Sidwell. As Sidwell is still unsure who actually killed his son, Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo), having no knowledge that its his partner in crime Cullum who stabbed the man to death, he now believes Lucas did the deed.
While outside of the construction site for the Marco Rios Tennis Center, Sidwell armed with a gun corner Lucas and shouts, “You got Marco killed!” Will Sonny (Maurice Benard) be able to save Lucas, before it’s too late? If so, will this be the high-profile arrest previously teased in our GH spoilers for the week of June 8-12, where by the end of the week, Chase (Josh Swickard) handcuffs someone and takes them to the PCPD. Could it be Lucas instead? Stay tuned.
Take a look at the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “All Roads,” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think, Cassius will work with Liesl and Josslyn with a plan to double-cross Sidwell and Cullum? Will Sidwell be arrested for trying to kill Lucas or someone else? Do you care about the Isaiah and Curtis drama over the punch that injured D. Gann, and if so, do you hope this goes to court? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Kirsten Storms Addresses ‘General Hospital’ Status, Restraining Order Filed by Brandon Barash, and Clarification on Alleged Break-In
Late Sunday night on June 7, longtime General Hospital, Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones), shared a personal and professional update addressing elements of her ex-husband Brandon Barash’s (ex-Johnny, GH and Stefan/Jake, DAYS) restraining order against her, the continued issues she has faced with her alleged apartment break-in when she was away from her home in Tennessee, and what her GH fans want to know, if she might be coming back anytime soon to the ABC daytime drama series.
“I’m sure some of you guys have read the stories online regarding a situation involving something my ex-husband is currently trying to claim,” began Kirsten in her new Instagram post. “Because I did see one story online stating I reported the apartment break-in AFTER he filed something against me in court, I really need to address this entire issue.”
Back in April, a report from TMZ surfaced that Barash filed a restraining order last year citing concerns of Storms ‘behavior” and “great concern of (Kirsten’s) ability to adequately care for their minor child,” citing from September 2024 until June of 2025, Kirsten never maintained a permanent residence, and either stayed with friends or at hotels.” Brandon and Kirsten share a daughter, Harper Rose, who is now 12.
Photo: JPI
COMMUNICATION TIMELINE
In her Instagram post, Kirsten continued, “Not only because the records/evidence will show those stories are completely false (the break-in happened and was reported to the building and Franklin PD before he filed anything in court), but also because ‘it puts my safety in a dangerous position for anyone to try and shift focus away from the fact that there was a person regularly entering my residence while I was out of town for medical appts in St Louis.'”
“You can see from my previous posts that the damage to the lock on my apartment door was extensive and obvious. I took that photo in August of last year – months before Brandon filed anything in court, I was also speaking with the people who worked in the leasing office of the building (in person and via email), attempting to get answers on the damage to my door and wanting to know about locating building camera footage,” explained Storms.
“This communication also started the first week of August. I waited to post about the break-in on my Instagram for a few months. I had already moved out of the building and honestly, it’s been something that is difficult to accept happened pretty much as soon as I moved out here. Choosing to take time off from work (for my own personal reasons) was a ‘leap of faith’ kind of moment for myself. Seeking a ‘quality a life” kinda thing?’,”concluded the actress.
THE DIFFICULT TRANSITION IN MOVING TO TENNESSEE
“Moving to Tennessee, as a single mom who lives alone 50% of the time, with a newly discovered brain aneurysm….well, I don’t think I need to explain how upsetting this entire situation has been for me. Realizing that not only was my apartment/space/privacy being violated, but this person also gained access to my WiFi and cellphone *while in my apartment* (the Franklin PD has received evidence on all of this – resulting in an investigation). I haven’t been online much because of how the circumstances have been twisted into something that it shouldn’t be. This has been a very serious thing for me to go through.”
As per usual, Storms has had to weather the good, the bad and the naysayers in her social media posts. She took a moment to also acknowledge those who are sending her good thoughts along the way during her struggles, “Thank you for the encouraging DM’s and good vibes being sent my way. I have no doubt this will be handled in the correct way and I will feel comfortable remaining in Tennessee.”
A FUTURE IN PORT CHARLES?
As to the potential of her returning to General Hospital, it doesn’t sound like Kirsten will be back anytime soon. “Given what’s been going on, I can’t say I will feel comfortable heading back to Los Angeles and returning to work, explained Storms. “This has been an eye opening experience about the downside of my profession. My daughter is my entire life, she is (and always will be) my first priority.”
You can check out Kirsten’s full post below.
Given what Kirsten has shared, do you think GH should continue to do as they have been, resting the character of Maxie off-screen? Do you think they should address her absence in the story somehow? What do you think about the continued battle the actress is having with the alleged break-in? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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