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Jonathan Jackson Leaving ‘General Hospital’; EP Frank Valentini Confirms Five-Time Emmy Winner’s Exit

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

In what has been rumored, proved to be true, following the airing of the Thursday, June 5th episode of General Hospital which saw Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) explaining to Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) why she won’t remarry him after turning down his marriage proposal.

With talk that Lucky plans to leave Port Charles again, and that it is “sudden,” Elizabeth said she knew he would never be happy long term in Port Charles, but her life is here and she likes it the way it is, while Lucky shared, that “being here, knowing that we can’t be together, it just hurts too much.”

Next, General Hospital and its executive producer confirmed that indeed, five-time Daytime Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson is on his way out and is departing the ABC soap opera shortly.

Photo: ABC

GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini shared to TV Insider, “We were so glad Jonathan was able to reprise the role of Lucky, even if it was for a limited time. We wish him nothing but the best, and the door is always open for Jonathan to return.”

Jackson returned to the place which gave him his major break in show business, when he was cast in 1993 at 11-years-old as Luke and Laura’s son. Now fast forward, in what had everyone excited, the former star of Nashville was headed back home to Port Charles in August of 2024, in what now turned out to be only a nine month run.

Photo: ABC

Originally, it seemed that Jonathan was set to stay for quite some time as fans were hoping for major story befitting his talents. However, after being bogged down in the Sidwell/Africa diamond caper and being held hostage, then returning to Port Charles in hopes of helping his sister, Lulu as her liver donor, working at Charlie’s with Kristina (Kate Mansi) and then hoping to rekindle things with the love of his life, Elizabeth, it looks like that’s all she wrote.

Photo: ABC

When he signed on to return to GH in the summer of 2024, Jackson expressed, “When I came back in 2015, that was just for a few episodes for Tony (Geary’s) exit and this is not that. This is back in a substantial, real way, which I’m excited about.”  Whether his 9 month stint was always the current plan, or whether Jonathan decided to end his stay earlier than intended is still not known.

Before Jackson ends his current run, look for Lucky to say goodbye to his family members which we hope includes: Laura, Lulu (Alexa Havins)  and his son Aiden (Colin Cassidy). In fact, our favorite scene during Jonathan’s latest run was the scene where Aiden told Lucky he was gay.

So, what are your feelings knowing Jonathan Jackson is once again exiting General Hospital? Were you hoping Liz and Lucky would get back together? Did GH drop the ball in terms of Lucky’s story? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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I was really hoping to see the love story work out for Liz and Lucky this time

I saw a youtube clips “GH rumors” that he was going to Beyond The Gates, I didn’t believe it but after Thursday’s episode and now Mr. Fairman confirming his departure.. is it true?

Sad to see him go.. hope Isisah isn’t going anywhere with him. Hope those Gannon roots start to surface soon.

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Interesting

Probably wishful thinking on my part but maybe they can rehire Roger Howarth or Michael Easton now.

Seriously? Again? Please, God, no!

I wouldn’t blame either one of them for saying no, after the way GH treated them. I saw where they’ve rehired Kelly and I’m happy with that. I knew they’d probably bring somebody back due to J.J.’s leaving, I just didn’t know who.

I am bummed to the max. It seems they didn’t know what to do with Lucky from the get-go. There were so few meaty scenes. I say shame on TPTB for not planning this out better, especially if they knew Jackson was only going to be here for nine months. I don’t think his return did anything for the ratings, but it did my heart good to see more of Laura’s children around town. Too bad we didn’t get to see them all together too often. It seems like such a waste. And poor Elizabeth! She and Lucky should have been end-game. But now that they’ve made it clear they’re too different, I want someone stable to come into her life.

What a steaming pile of dragonshit.
The idiot professor is NOT needed.
Vaughn is NOT needed.
Sidwell and his entire dysfunctional family are NOT needed.
Parasite Nina and Hallmark Drew are definitely NOT needed.
If you have to fire all of the above to keep Lucky Spencer, then DO it, with zero hesitation.

Agreed. Except for the Nina part.

And Marco. Please give him a story… I am so confused when GH gives and actor a contract but no storyline.

Yes! Watros is a brilliant actress who manages to rise above the lousy-Nina-must-lose- writing thrown at her time and time again. She can stay.

They need to draft a storyline for Nina that doesn’t involve her being Willow’s mother and her constant feud with Carly. Cynthia Watros is a very good actress. Give her a new love interest. And, please, please, please, do not place Elizabeth with Rick!

This is a bummer as Lucky is a legacy character. Did producers and writers lay out a long-term bible for Lucky? This development makes it seem they moved to get the actor before establishing story. I would have accepted a recast too. I never believe anyone is irreplaceable.

This has been the biggest waste of talent in the history of daytime. I’m not sure why Lucky was brought back, other than Laura not having any connections on the show. Now, I would love to see Nicholas, Dillon, Brenda and Spencer come back and the Sidwell/Natalia storyline needs to end. I don’t feel any connection between Lucas and Marco. The Joss/WSB/Vaughn storyline is a snooze (no offense to Eden McCoy). The fans need more Ava.

biggest flop in soap history

This is hilarious to me; Deadline Hollywood reported his return as a “long run”, and now he’s out after nine months. It’s clear he did not want to be there and there was no story there. Honestly, it was a waste of contract money; Rick Hearst (as Ric) should’ve gotten the contract (likely at half the price). This is no big loss for anyone; I feel bad for both Genie Francis and Rebecca Herbst, both of whom likely thought they’d have some solid story to tell with Jackson’s return as Lucky, and instead… it was absolute shit. Not to mention, it should have been Greg Vaughan who returned as Lucky, who re-joined the PCPD to be partnered with Dante.

I would have been fine with them just handing it over to Greg Vaughan at this point. I guess they prefer to keep the absentee father narrative set by Luke and Lucky. Sigh. I was hoping the character of Lucky would man up and stick around long term for his family.

Firmly, I don’t believe anyone at Disney ABC wants anyone else in the role of Lucky if it isn’t Jackson, which is why Vaughan has yet to return to the role. Plus, I don’t know if he’d want to return to a role he was successful in recasting but fired to bring the original actor back for two years only.

You’re probably right.

What a bust, and a waste of talent, maybe his return was meant to be short term all along , still the storyline that was constructed was poorly executed from the get go, from instead of Laura finding him, they had Jason , the shows captain America find him, or when crazy uncle Cyrus when in for the kill we were left with the horrible fill in , at the end Lucky really hasn’t grown up he’s still a man child or at least for some horrible reason that’s how the show wants him to be..

This will go down in soap history as one of the worst returns of a big-name soap star ever. I don’t know who’s responsible for botching it, but if JJ is indeed leaving ahead of schedule and it’s by his choice, I certainly cannot blame him. Someone apparently forgot to tell the writers (or Frank, or the ABC brass) that when you get a fan favorite back, you have to actually write for him.

Actually, it’s not just Lucky’s early departure (though heaven knows that’s bad enough to warrant an intervention), but what the hell is going on at GH the last couple of years? It’s as though nobody can figure out what direction the show should take; they hire and fire writers and actors, stories get dropped, characters’ personalities get shifted, and the whole thing feels adrift and rudderless, even though individual episodes or short arcs are sometimes great and you have a few performers (Jane Elliott in particular) really holding things together. It’s like the seeds of a really good show are there but they can’t get their act together enough to chart a consistent course and create a compelling product.I’m wondering–and this occurred to me back when Patrick Mulcahey came and went in a millisecond–if there are warring factions behind the scenes with radically different visions for the show and what we’re getting is a mishmash. Whatever it is that’s going on, they need to get their you-know-what together fast.

Comes as no surprise to me. I never believed that Jackson would be satisfied returning to GH long term. If TPTB want Lucky on canvas for long term, they have to recast. My preference is Greg Vaughan. Since he’s tied up with Days, I would not be unhappy to see Jacob Young return or someone new.

Now that he is gone, pair Elizabeth with Jason so #Liason can have their #LiasonReunion2025

Ugh, no. If Elizabeth didn’t want to travel the world with Lucky, she’s not going to agree with Jason’s profession. She’s got kids and a decent job. She never did agree with his lifestyle which is much more dangerous than Lucky’s travels around the world.

Yes, please no!!

I was really hoping he would stay they belong together I really wish they wasn’t leaving again this breaks my heart and I’ve been watching him since 1997.. they will never ever truly get their happy ending never and that’s what’s sad and disappointed

I wanted him to stay for the long haul to be with his family. He could work with Ana, or Spinelli doing PI work.

So, you bring back a 5-time Emmy winner, son of the show’s most famous couple and you don’t give him a compelling storyline? It’s almost like they checked to see if he was available but had no story arc. Once Lulu woke up they just had a haphazard reconnection with Elizabeth. Thank goodness they used the flashbacks at least.

The departure seems rushed as Elizabeth goes from a major leg cast to dancing without crutches the next day.

When the recurring onscreen question was will Lucky stay? It should be no surprise to anyone that he’s departing.

And, don’t get me started on the covering for Kristina plot.

I really was hoping for Lucky and Liz to finally get and stay together. Love Jonathan and always will, Lucky could never be replaced, Good Luck in all your endeavors

Disappointed. I thought that his scenes, especially with sister Lulu, were wonderful. But it seems to me that the writing let Jackson down. It would me, as a performer. It felt like Jackson wanted to come back, and the contracts were signed BEFORE the show could figure out what to do with Lucky. The show is on fire right now with episodes regarding paternity and child custody, and Lucky Spencer needs to have action-adventure storylines to keep him engaged and on-canvas. And where were all the scenes with Lucky and Laura? Both actors professed excitement at performing together again, and once Lulu woke up, it never happened.

Not happy about it I am not happy about it. I am not happy about it. I was helping him and this is to remarry and live happily ever after. Plus he needs to be there for his mom Laura because she’s going through a hard time politically and his sister Lulu just came back into the picture. I watched General Hospital since day one and have been totally invested in all of the characters right now. I do not like Drew at all. He needs to go if you’re gonna get rid of anyone, I like the new Michael.

I was hoping that they would give him a better story line. I wanted to see him in a mystery like story line getting even with his attackers from Africa. His story line was boring. In fact story lines lately with certain actors are boring. Only good ones are Carly Sonny Michael Jason

Sad to see him go…. Would have been nice if he and Liz had hooked up, they will always be sweethearts in my book. I think we were lucky to have LUCKY stay as long as he did and I feel that he will be back someday. I WISH HIM THE VERY BEST IN ALL OF HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS .

I wished that Lucky & Elizabeth got back together

I absolutely adore Jonathan Jackson but I really hate that he comes and goes. It would be awesome if he and Rebecca could be the next Luke and Laura with crazy adventures now that their “kids” on GH are basically grown.

Just one question in the 9 months he was on did he ever wash his hair? Left GH when Billy Miller left never looked back JJ was a great child actor but he unfortunately never fit the adult role. GV was excellent in the drug storyline and let’s be honest Tony Geary treated him badly.

Good news. Be gone! Jonathan looked bored, disinterested and out of place. He had no chemistry with the show. Who is to blame? Not sure. Bring Greg Vaughn next time and be done with this mistake. Greg is a better adult Lucky. It’s okay, recasts can work. Look no further than the new Michael. He is awesome!

Considering Greg seems to be on the “revolving door” plan over at Days, it’s not likely that he would commit to a long term role at GH either.

I think whats sad is Lucky is leaving in the midst of all the Gio confusion. Aiden’s dad leaves again after all the dad drama. While other kids are getting their dads back, Aiden loses his. Even Jason is promising to stay for Danny and to keep the boyd together. I get Lucky wanting to leave because its too painful for him but what about Aiden.? Liz says she has a way to present the news. I hope its really good. When you think of it they couldn’t even get Lucky cleaned up for the longest time.

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‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced

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Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7.  That’s when Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, also known as beloved Santa Barbara supercouple, Cruz and Eden, will participate in a global two-hour streaming event where they will be in conversation together for the first time in years.

The last time A and Marcy appeared publicly together was back in August of 2024, when both stars were in attendance at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara. Now, host Melissa Braverman, who has also penned the upcoming book, Santa Barbara: The Complete Story, will moderate this special event beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT.

Fans around the world who continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Santa Barbara will be able to watch Braverman lead an intimate discussion with the actors and go behind the iconic characters of Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell.

Photo: JPI

In a statement, Braverman shared, “A Martinez and Marcy Walker didn’t just play a couple. They created a cultural phenomenon that resonated across continents. This event is a rare opportunity for fans to hear directly from A and Marcy about their chemistry, their favorite storylines, and the lasting impact of the show’s unique storytelling.”

She added, “A and Marcy’s partnership as Cruz and Eden was unforgettable. Bringing them together for a dedicated conversation about their SB journey is a true event, and a testament to their enduring appeal and the sheer popularity of the characters they created.”

The exclusive event will feature: a moderated discussion exploring the actors’ favorite memories from the Santa Barbara set. Behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s most famous location shoots and dramatic arcs, and a Q&A session where ticket holders can submit questions in advance to the stars.

Martinez, currently starring in AMC’s hit series Dark Winds is known for his multi-decade TV and film career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1990 for his portrayal of Cruz. In the soaps, A has also appeared on General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives and The Bay. Walker, whose unforgettable daytime run began as Liza Colby on All My Children before her definitive turn on Santa Barbara, took home the Outstanding Lead Actress honors in 1989 for her work as Eden Capwell.

Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion are $100, and registration is open now. For additional event information, visit Melissa’s author page on Facebook or www.melissabraverman.com.

So, if you are a Santa Barbara fan and one of the unforgettable Cruz and Eden, does this sound like the event for you? Let us know, and share your favorite Santa Barbara moment and storyline of Cruz and Eden’s via the comment section, But first, in case you missed it, the Michael Fairman Channel shared the arrivals at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara in this video below.

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Jennifer Harmon, ‘One Life to Live’s’ Cathy Craig, and ‘How to Survive a Marriage’ Star, Dead at 82

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Sad news to report for the One Life to Live family. Actress Jennifer Harmon who was the last actress to play the emotionally troubled Cathy Craig has passed away. Harmon, who also starred on the defunct NBC soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage, died in New York on May 9 at the age of 82. Harmon’s family made the announcement.

Jennifer was the fifth actress to play One Life to Live’s Cathy, following Catherine Burns, Amy Levitt, Jane Alice Brandon and Dorrie Kavanaugh. During her two year tenure with the soap, from 1976 through 1978, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the 5th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1978. The award that year went to Another World’s Laurie Heineman (ex-Sharlene Frame).

In her soap career, not only did Harmon have major success as Cathy on One Life to Live, but she starred on NBC’s new soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage as Chris Kirby and stayed with the series through its entire run which lasted just over a year from 1974-1975.   

Photo: NBC

How to Survive a Marriage told the story of divorced couple as they battle for custody of their daughter, and as the mom enters the workforce. In the span of a year, Chris got divorced, remarried and battled alcoholism. Rosemary Prinz was the featured name in the cast.

On One Life to Live, Cathy was the nemesis of Victoria Lord (Erika Slezak). Cathy blamed the wealthy Viki for the accident that killed her child Megan Craig Riley (even though the baby has a congenital heart defect and her life expectancy was short).  So, she set out to make Viki’s life hell by kidnapping Viki and Joe’s child, Kevin.

Later,  Jennifer would return to One Life to Live in the 90s to play Viki’s attorney in a new role, went on to play Jean Weatherill on Guiding Light in 1991 and Lucretia Jones on Loving in 1995. Her primetime TV credits included: Barnaby JonesDallasThe White ShadowSt. ElsewhereHomicide: Life on the StreetOzRescue Me and The Good Wife.

Harmon was also known as one of the most accomplished stage actresses on Broadway having appeared over 21 times in different productions spanning nearly 50 years including in plays of the works of legendary playwrights: Noël Coward, Wendy Wasserstein, Lillian Hellman, Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and Jon Robin Baitz. Throughout her theatre career she was was known as a reliable actress, and at times was an understudy for the likes of: Stockard Channing, Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Blythe Danner and Jessica Lange.

Share your remembrances of Jennifer Harmon on One Life to Live, How to Survive a Marriage, and more, in the comment section below.

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‘EastEnders’ Wins Best Soap at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards

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Our friends from across the pond, BBC One’s EastEnders took home Best Soap honors at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards in London, England on Sunday, May 10.

Just last year, EastEnders celebrated 40 years on television and has seen a resurgence. In attendance were cast members: Michelle Collins, Jessie Wallace, Diane Parish, and Aaron Thiara, as well former executive producer Chris Clenshaw and his successor, current showrunner Ben Wadey.

EastEnders was nominated in the category along with their rivals, Casualty and Coronation Street. Accepting on stage was 20-year veteran of the series, Diane Parish, who paid tribute to all the hard working people in front of the camera and behind the scenes. “It’s not easy doing a soap, but we manage to make it work,” shared Parish.

Courtesy/BBCOne

A BIG RETURN AND MEDICAL CRISIS IN STORY AHEAD

Recently, it was confirmed that in honor of her two decades with the show, Parish’s character, Denise Fox, is set for a major storyline this year, when she is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer.

And there’s more! In the winner’s press room, Ben Wadey shared there is a major return in store teasing,“I would keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks, there might be some surprises on the horizon.”

On the official EastEnders Instagram account it also shared, “EastEnders has gone and won the Soap award at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards! 🎉🥳🍾🙌What a huge honour, we truly couldn’t be prouder. Thank you BAFTA the whole cast and crew will be holding this one high when it makes it way home to Walford.”

Photo: EastEnders

BAFTA TV AWARD HISTORY IS MADE

Adolescence, the Netflix drama that took home Emmys and Golden Globes stateside, made BAFTA TV history during the ceremony winning four awards for the first time ever. Stephen Graham finally took home the coveted Leading Actor category in what was his 8th attempt to win a BAFTA in the fields of both TV and motion pictures.

The series is Netflix’s second most-watched English-language show of all time, and won BAFTA’s for Limited Drama and Supporting Actor and Actress for Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco. 

For a complete list of all the winners, click here.

So, happy to hear EastEnders won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Soap? If you catch EastEnders, who do you think might be returning on the horizon as teased by the series current EP? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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