General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Genie Francis Talks Bringing Real-Life Trauma Into Laura/Sonny Story and Being Shunned for a Lead Actress Emmy Nomination in Upcoming ‘State of Mind’ with Maurice Benard
In an upcoming two-part episode of Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health podcast, State of Mind, the three-time Daytime Emmy winner welcomes for the first time, General Hospital icon and long-running series star, Genie Francis (Laura Collins). The first episode drops this Sunday, November 16, with the second installment premiere the following Sunday on November 23.
Francis, who has played Laura on and off since 1977 and Benard who arrived in 1993, will talk about their current and upcoming storyline, which in a preview with the New York Post, appears to be one of Genie’s all-time favorites. “I love this story that they have given us,” shared Francis. “They asked me one day, ABC asked me what I wanted, and I said I want a story with Maurice Benard. And from that, they put together a brilliant story that I’m loving so much.”
Speaking on the on-screen relationship of Sonny and Laura, Genie added, “There are all kinds of love stories – they’re not all romantic. But you have really close relationships with people, and there’s a chemistry there with us, so I wanted them to write that.”
Photo: ABC
In a scene with Benard, Francis shared how she got to the emotional epicenter of it, which called upon her to recall a certain trauma from her past. “I realized that my way into that scene was about trauma,” she told Maurice. “I’ve had trauma in my life. I’ve relived trauma in my life, and I know what happens. I tried to tell you in that scene about my trauma, and you heard me.”
As for Benard, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 22 and started his own You Tube series back in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Maurice has remained a staunch mental health advocate by informing people on different mental illnesses, how they manifest, and how to survive through it which he has done, but been very open about his struggles in an effort to help others.
The subject of the Emmys will come up on State of Mind and according to the NY Post, Benard tells Francis, “Usually when I predict things, a lot of times they do come true. And I’d love to see you win an Emmy from what I’ve seen in two weeks.”
Photo: ABC
Having been the face of GH for a longtime, sadly, Genie has never won a Lead Actress Daytime Emmy, clarifying, “I have never been nominated for Best Actress, never once. I won once as Best Supporting Actress for a short six-week visit, but as far as Best Actress, it’s been a close-out for 49 years.”
Genie also recalled, “When I was a kid, how do you compare an 18-year-old girl to a 40-year-old woman who are in the same category?” That was a very hard thing for me when Tony (Geary) was nominated when I was a kid and I was not. I was embarrassed.”
So, are you looking forward to seeing Genie and Maurice working more together in the coming weeks on-screen? Do you agree that Genie should have, by now, at least been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series, if not have won at least once already? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, check out this teaser featuring Maurice and Genie below.
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First of all – I adore Genie and love whenever Laura is on my screen.
That she wasn’t nominated for Lead Actress the year Lucky was presumed dead in the fire is astonishing.
While she’s justified in pointing out that Geary got nominated early on, she’s wrong to imply he was a kid. His first nomination was in 1981 when he was already 34. He won the following year.
Because she is on so infrequently and is not often driving story, right now, she might best belong in the supporting category. Does she have the presence of a Lead Actress – absolutely- but the story (at least so far this year) isn’t there.
Why don’t we see the struggles of a mature woman raising her toddler grandson? Give her something to do other than being the mayor.
Something was bugging me. Genie must have a poor memory. A simple IMDb check verified she was nominated twice in the Lead category. Once in 1997 and the other in 2021 – just 4 years ago.
Yeah, it was puzzling that she would forget those nominations. The one in 2021, she was nominated for the scenes when Lulu went into the coma. GH had three Best Actress nominees that year, with Finola and Nancy joining Genie. And the one in 1997 I remember, because she was 8 or 9 months pregnant, and couldn’t travel to New York for the ceremony, so she appeared via satellite.
But overall, I think it’s fair to say that she’s been short changed when it comes to the Lead Actress category.over the years. There were a number of other years I thought she easily could have been nominated and wasn’t. But you can say the same thing for a lot of actors and actresses on every show.
There were a few years in the 90s when Genie arguably should’ve been nominated (in addition to 97).
As for the early 80s, there was powerhouse competition from well established industry vets. When Geary hit his first nomination in 1981, the five women up for best Lead Actress were:
Julia Barr, Susan Lucci, Robin Strasser, Helen Gallagher, and Judith Light.
Light, of course, won for her iconic courtroom breakdown.
Had there been a younger actress category in those years, Francis would’ve been a shoe-in.
Maybe she doesn’t give a shit.
Genie Francis is GH legacy and I would love to see her win a Lead Actress trophy. But GH needs to put her front and center and weave her into stories that may not be her primary plotline. I miss seeing favorite characters in and out of homes, hospital, and town hot spots just casually. It nuilds community and continuity. There have been lame Lead Actress winners in many years at the Daytime Emmy Awards. If this GH story is as promised, then let’s give Miss Francis the spotlight and let her talents shine and speak for themselves. She need not turn on tears or histrionics to make us engage in the stories or feel the emotions.
She is quoted in several articles online as saying she hasn’t been nominated for lead actress when she was nominated in that category in 1997 and 2021. I saw some clips of her upcoming interview on State of Mind, but I didn’t see her say the quote about not ever receiving a lead actress nomination. Maybe it was misquoted.
I”ve always been puzzled how GH has literally been shut out of the lead actress category for decades, yes their actress have been nominated and only four have won in that category Finola Hughes, Laura Wright, Maura West and now Nancy Grahn, I find it astonishing especially when you consider the other shows that have had actress win multiple times, and have left me scratching my head. We know who they are, all they do is submit scenes of themselves crying year after year. GH has been shown more respect in the supporting actress category which is just as important, Genie will hopefully be given just plain and simple a steady storyline, yes she’s the heart of GH but she’s treated like a supporting character on the show.
Watching what aired on Sunday’s Part 1…
Not sure if it was an edit or a misinterpretation, but Genie never says she wasn’t nominated in Lead, just she didn’t win in 49 years.
Also, it appears she said “Tony was nominated when I was a kid” (not when Tony was a kid).
I watched it today also and I agree with you 100%. Looking forward to part 2 next week.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
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