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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

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!

In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?

Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!

Courtesy/ABC

FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS

The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!

Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?

Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.

MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.

Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

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With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).

On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..

In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW

So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!

FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD

As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and  and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”

Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.

So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

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In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.

The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.

Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”

Photo: CDuellIG

SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.

The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.

In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.

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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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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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