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Kirsten Storms Takes Extended Break from ‘General Hospital,’ Moves To Tennessee, Addresses When She Might Return as Maxie

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

There had been plenty of online speculation, but now Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones, GH) has opened up on the next leg of her life on-screen and off.  On Monday, Storms took to her Instagram to formally announce via a video message, that she has moved to Tennessee and out of Los Angeles for the foreseeable future, and is taking an extended break from General Hospital in her soap-famous role of Maxie Jones.

Accompanying her video, Storms shared, “I’m very excited to be making Tennessee my home! I can’t wait to return to GH, once Harper (her daughter with Brandon Barash) and I are settled in our new town. I plan on documenting as much of this new journey on my social media as I can. It’s always been a dream of mine to move to a place like this, it’s hard to believe it’s really happening.”

In the video, Storms, who has played GH’s Maxie since 2025, revealed that her extended leave of absence has been in the works. Kirsten shared, “I meant to post this video a few weeks ago, and time just got away from me. But in March, I asked Frank Valentini, our amazing executive producer … I had a conversation with him about my reasons for wanting to move, and my desire to not leave the show. Now, when you approach a job like this, they can always be like, ‘Forget it. I will let you out of your contract if you’re going to leave the state.’ GH did not do that, which was kind of amazing because I also asked for some time off.”

Photo: ABC

Next, Kirsten revealed she is done taping all of her episodes for 2005, “The week before last week, I had my final taping day for the year.” She then noted, “It’s possible I will be back in December, maybe November.”

GH fans should be on high alert because Storms says the storyline involving Maxie is going to make viewers “freak out,” in her absence. The fan favorite in her own words explained, “I promise you the storyline they have going on until my return to Port Charles is kind of incredible — you guys are gonna freak out, actually. Can’t wait to see the comments online about that!”

Photo: ABC

Sharing just how grateful she is for the opportunity to step away for a lengthy amount of time and still return, Storms added, “I really want to thank GH, the ABC network executives, the writers for agreeing to let me take this time. I know Frank and the producers there know my reasons and I am so grateful that they understand and are supportive.”

In closing, Kirsten shut down any further speculations by saying, “Really quick about the online rumors, and I’ll get into some of this stuff at a later date. This is just me very long-windedly explaining that I’m taking a break and moving to Tennessee. If you don’t read about it or watch a video on it from my page, take it with a grain of salt. People like to say a whole bunch of stuff.”

So, what do you think about Kirsten’s extended leave from General Hospital? What do you think is the big storyline that will involve Maxie? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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After devoting 20 years to the show, Kirsten deserves time with her daughter.

As for Tennessee, John York does that commute and Steve Burton used to years ago.

Hopefully Maxie gets a front burner storyline when Kirsten returns. In the meantime, let’s get something for Felicia to do other than be a talk to.

I’m very happy for Kirsten and I wish her the best. I’ll miss seeing her on the show as Maxie though. I have grown to really like the Maxie character and I have enjoyed her character working at Deception. I like how she referees for Tracy and Lucy and lately how she referees for Brook Lynne and Lulu. I appreciate her light, quirky humor.

Good Luck in your move your family comes first you will be missed but I understand why you need this time. Your right people will believe the worse instead of finding out the truth. You look beautiful and you daughter is just as beautiful. You take care for now till you come back on the show. Have a wonderful and safe summer and move.

Well, I am definitely going to miss seeing Maxie the rest of the year. I was wanting to see Maxie and Spinelli in a major storyline but I guess I’ll have to wait till she returns. I’m looking forward to what the writers have planned for Maxie.

It’s her choice, and it’s clear it’s a choice that she feels is best for her. As for Maxie, I wouldn’t be opposed to the character being rested for a bit. It’s overdue for Maxie to be rested, honestly. Although, if TPTB are keen on keeping Nicole Paggi in the role until Kirsten Storms can return, I would not object to that, either.

Only thing that concerns me is the reason Jonathan Jackson ultimately left after a few months was he couldn’t handle the commute from TN to CA for taping. I hope she has a support system there to help with Harper while she flys to LA for taping. I can’t imagine another actress in the roll of Maxie long term. She should be involved in this whole storyline with Rocco finding out about Britt.

The commute for Jackson was just an excuse. Lucky had little storyline and was hardly used. Jackson also has his music career to focus on. John York commutes from
TN. Steve Burton did for a few years until he moved back to LA full time.

Im happy she gets time off but I certainly hope they do not replace her. After 20 yrs she deserves an extended break like the others get. The story that’s going to have us freaking out….Sounds like to me…..Ryan Pavey is returning

I am very happy she gets time off and happy for her next phase of her life in Tennessee. I hope it goes great for her. I am concerned that she will get replaced if she’s gone long-term. Because Chad was replaced. After 20 years, she deserves an extended break like the other actresses get. The story line that will have us freaking out. Does anyone think Ryan Pavey is coming back and it will involve Nathan?

I wish I could leave New Jersey for Tennessee. Taxes are too high and too many regulations.
Best of luck to Kirsten.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Carly Fears Escalating Tensions Between Sonny and Josslyn: ‘I’ve Already Lost One Kid Because of That Man. I Won’t Lose Another’

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General Hospital

On the Thursday, November 12 episode of General Hospital, as battles line are drawn by Carly’s (Laura Wright) ex-husband, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and her daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy), she realizes things are about to get a whole lot worse, and she expressed her fears to Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart).

After Sonny came to see Carly to get her daughter to back off of him; especially when Josslyn lit into him in front of nuAvery (Ayla Bullington), Carly is terrified that Sonny could retaliate against Josslyn. Realizing, Josslyn is in danger, Carly won’t sit by and let anything happen to her. She tells Valentin, “I’ve already lost one kid because of that man. I won’t lose another.”

Viewers won’t soon forget the devastation Carly felt when Morgan (Bryan Craig) died in a car bomb explosion back in 2016 because of Sonny’s dealings in the mob in a complex story involving Julian (William deVry) and Olivia Jerome (Tonja Walker).

Avery

Courtesy/ABC

SONNY IS READY FOR WAR

Meanwhile in the aftermath of his visit with Carly, Sonny told his brother Ric what went down when Josslyn disrespected him in front of his own daughter and hurt Avery. Since Josslyn already make it known that she no longer considers herself part of Sonny’s family, he’s decided to treat her accordingly.

Sonnys first step in payback is to take away her support system at JJE by approaching Hudson Parker (Troy Lennon Appel) again, but this time in a much less-friendly way.

Ric points out that this would go against every move Sonny made as a legitimate businessman in Port Charles and would mean he’s back in the mob? Sonny doubles down, saying Josslyn changed the game when she involved Avery. While he showed concern of how bad Carly would feel over all this year, he said he is ready to finish what Josslyn started.

At the Metro Court, Ava (Maura West) is listening to Avery explain what happened between Sonny and Josslyn and how much she hates Josslyn right now, which Ava seems to be OK with.

WILL JOSSLYN’S WORLD BLOW UP ON HER?

Speaking of Josslyn, she is on the pier still after her talk with Hudson and still crying over her confrontation with Sonny and Avery overhearing it, and what she told her sister. Lucas comes across her at the pier while out for his run.

Explaining how badly she feels for what she said about Sonny to Avery, Lucas says that eventually Avery will discover the truth about Sonny. He explains to Josslyn that even though Avery hates her now, she will come to realize that what she said about her father was the truth, and that Josslyn was not lying to her at all.

So, what do you think about Sonny ready to play dirty to take down Josslyn? How will Carly ensure her daughter does not wind up dead? Who do you think is in the right here? Is Josslyn’s vendetta against Sonny justified, at the cost of the relationships with her family? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

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Stacy Keach and Cynthia Watros

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.

In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.

Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC

In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.

STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING

Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”

She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”

Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”

Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!

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Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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