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‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Kelly Clarifies Going Off Contract Was His Choice

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Recently, smart-minded General Hospital fans noticed that Josh Kelly’s (Cody Bell) name was removed from the closing credits of the ABC daytime drama series, which is reserved for contract players on the soap opera.

Immediately, viewers began to speculate if Josh is on his way out since it appeared he had been dropped to recurring status. Kelly has been playing Cody Bell since 2022 and currently in story, he is busy seducing Ava Jerome (Maura West) for some moolah thanks to Kristina Corinthos-Davis (Kate Mansi), all the while, it seems like Cody also has a thing for Kristina’s sister, Molly Lansing-Davis (Kristen Vaganos).

Now, speaking with Soap Opera Digest, Josh clarified exactly what is happening with him and his relationship with long-running soap opera, and what his future with it holds. Kelly revealed that it was his decision to go to recurring status with GH, however that does not in any way mean he plans on leaving the show, in fact, it’s just the opposite.

Photo: JPI

Josh expressed, “I want to stay on General Hospital forever!” Along with that, Kelly wants to do outside projects including two of them he has been working on with his girlfriend, Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle Benson, GH), one of which is a sequel to his film The Workout, which is coming out this summer. He added, “I just wouldn’t be able to do that if I was on contract; you don’t just get to go off and do a bunch of other projects. And I wouldn’t expect the show to work around my schedule.”

Photo: ABC

GH executive producer, Frank Valentini is the man that Kelly gives all the credit to for working schedules out so he can go off and do other projects and still be in story as Cody. “I love being here. I love everyone that I’m working with on the show. I was just looking to have a little more flexibility,” Josh explained.

As to his current messy story involving the aforementioned Ava, Molly and Kristina, Kelly added, “The story is fun and interesting and I’m really excited to continue with it.”

So, are you glad to know that it was Josh Kelly’s decision to go off contract with General Hospital? Are you looking forward to seeing how is current story plays out? Are you rooting for Cody with Molly or possibly Cody falling for Ava? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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I’m in the minority, but I think Ava brings out a more adult side of Cody. I am rooting for them as a couple. Ava deserves some happiness and Maura West deserves a juicy storyline.

I can see hints of what you describe. But I ultimately think Tracy said it best when she said Ava’s lovers usually end up tragically harmed or killed.

If only Sonny was on that list . . .

JPS never was on contract and they continually wrote Valentin in story for years and built him his own set.

When JL was doing double duty as Kevin and Ryan he was on recurring and appearing 4 days a week.

Kudos to Kelly for finding something works for him. Now, if only this storyline would work.

Josh Kelly is such a bright spot on GH and consistently impresses me with his excellent acting. He shines in scenes with Jane Elliot and Maura West, and makes Cody believable no matter what he is playing. I am torn because I think he is destined for big things but I LOVE him as Cody! And despite the overused trope of easygoing bad guy and uptight good girl, I like Cody and Molly together!

Totally seriously, this sounds like an AI comment.

Nah, it’s far too well-written and makes its points too clearly to be AI.

You’re a hag.

AI doesn’t use all caps to underscore enthusiasm. Because, well, AI is soulless.

I’m relieved it was his choice, I really like Cody pairing with Molly, its flirty and innocent but If I have to bet here, I’m betting that Cody will unexpectedly develop feeling For Ava, and if anything they will have a hot affair, and its good to know he’s gonna be around and that GH didn’t send him packing although I wish the show would have him interact more with his family, like his Dad Mac, or his cousin Emma, Auntie Felicia, and his buddy James.

All the build up to Cody being Mac’s son… and now he is caught in the no strong story revolving door.

Seems GH has all the talent it needs for long story arcs that are not being written.

How does Kristina have all that money to pay him?

She’s Sonny’s daughter. If she needs money, she asks daddy.

Then why isn’t she using Daddy’s money to pay off Ava & Ric directly instead of having her mother embezzle from the Cassadine trust fund?

Remember back in the disastrous ReRon years, there was an awful recast of Kristina who somehow ended up being married to Joe Scully’s grandson for a few minutes?

I’ve tried to push that entire episode from my unholy mind. But maybe there was some sort of financial arrangement resulting from that ill fated marriage that has kept Kristina’s bank account above water for years on end, even during her extended periods of unemployment.

I mean, yes her parents are both rich, but you never see her asking either Alexis or Sonny for financial help. She also might have recently got an insurance payoff from her bar getting torched by Sidwell, though it doesn’t seem like the PCPD put a lot of work into that investigation, even though it was very obviously arson.

How does Kristina have the money to pay him?

Not to sound like Marcia Brady, but Josh Kelly is dreamy. Keep him on my screen. With Ava. With Molly. With Tracy. In a 3way with Marco and Lucas. I don’t care.

He’s so hot

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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

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Steve Burton

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.

Steve Burton

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.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

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Jason and Britt

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.

Britt

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.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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