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Kirsten Storms Temporarily Replaced by Nicole Paggi as ‘General Hospital’s’ Maxie Jones

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC and IMDb

Viewers tuning into today’s July 3 episode of General Hospital, saw a familiar face playing the character of Maxie Jones, that’s because actress Nicole Paggi is once again stepping into the role and temporarily replacing Kirsten Storms.

If Paggi looks familiar, it’s because she replaced Storms as Maxie back in December of 2023, when Storms was unavailable for a short amount of time. This time, Paggi was called in by GH when scheduling conflicts precluded Storms from being able to film some episodes.

According TV Insider, “Because the soap (GH) films multiple episodes a day, Paggi will appear again as Maxie on July 30 and August 13; Storms will return on air during the week of August 18.” Kirsten Storms has played GH’s Maxie since 2005.

Photo: ABC

As for Paggi’s other television credits, they include roles on the the series 9-1-1, The Rookie: FEDS, Pasadena, Hope & Faith, to name but a few.

Throughout Kirsten’s 20-year run as Maxie, she has had several temporary recasts and situations. Back in September of 2011, Storms came forward publicly about her painful battle with endometriosis and took an extended leave. Jen Lilley (who later played DAYS Theresa Donovan) stepped into play Maxie through September of 2012, when Storms was well-enough to return to her signature soap role.

In 2016, Kirsten took another leave of absence to heal from skin issues and Days of our Lives favorite Molly Burnett (ex-Melanie) was brought in to play Maxie. Burnett returned for another stint as Maxie in 2018 when Storms was out of commission with the flu.

Photo: JPI

Next, sadly in 2021, Kirsten took to social media to share that she had undergone brain surgery to remove a noncancerous cyst. While she ended up OK, to allow Storms to heal, the GH powers-that-be wrote Maxie out, and sent her on an extended trip to the Lone Star State, Texas.

Photo: ABC

So what are your thoughts of Nicole Paggi as Maximista? Who do you think was the best temporary replacement for Kirsten Storms over the years? The thing is; nobody can play Maxie like Kirsten, since she has made the role so identifiable to her. Comment below.

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Jen Lilley was the best in my opinion.

Oh gawd no a blank screen is preferable

Well, isn’t that special.

Jen Lilly was great

Yes, she was.

As Theresa Donovan on Days, absolutely. As Maxie? Not so much.

Some of us don’t have time to watch mulitple shows.

Considering Kristen’s previous health problems, I hope she is well and able to return to GH very soon.

I was hoping someone beside myself was more concerned for Kristen’s well being than who replaced her better. We wish you well Kristen.

This. And what is irksome to me is when people bash the substitutes simply for not being Kristin As someone who started out as a substitute teacher, I know how it feels to be criticized for not being the regular teacher. These interim actors need the work and do the best they can jumping in the middle of a story. It can’t be easy.

I do not feel my comment bashed any replacements.. just a nod to Kristen’s health and wellness.

Very believable casting! This actress is a dead ringer for the young Felicia when she first arrived in Port Charles! The resemblance is uncanny.

Nicole has Maxie’s mannerisms down very well. GH has had some fairly good temporary fill-ins (Lindsay Hartley, Briana Lane, Adam Huss, Robert Adamson) in the past few years. That said, I look forward to Kirsten’s return and a new storyline focused on Maxie.

That’s good to know, Steve! I left “Planet Soap” long ago but do occasionally check this site to see if my old favorite posters are still kicking! Been looking for Celia! (I may have to go back a few months of articles to send her a message!) Having said that, it’s lovely to see that some of the reliably articulate regulars remain here. I always read your well-worded and knowledgeable contributions and I also am very gladdened whenever Harry and James comment. They really add a lot to the conversation with their warmth and humor!

At any rate, I was simply struck by the photo of Nicole who could have easily passed for ‘80’s Felicia had she been wearing a blonde Rapunzel wig!

Nice to see you drop by Shay – and thanks for the kind words. I do see Celia post occasionally. Harry & James are some of my faves, too. Enjoy the summer!

No replacement, keep the old Maxie

Sending well wishes your way Kristen. Get better hope to see you soon on gh.

Everyone is encouraged to comment and wish her well. But, having been on this show for 20 years, fans really should know her name is Kirsten – not Kristen nor Kristin.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project

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WSB director Ross Cullum is truly as despicable villain as they come, and played with steely intensity by Andrew Hawkes. For the double agents latest crime, you need to look no further than the Friday, June 5 cliffhanger of General Hospital, where in the episode’s final moments he sneaks up on an unassuming Dr. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) after hiding in the back seat of her car.

Next, he chloroforms her with his intent clear. He plans on forcing her to finish the last leg of Faison’s final project at Wyndemere, since her daughter Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) left town with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) in tow to get away from Cullum!

In what led to the kidnapping, Cullum had a terse conversation with his business associate and co-conspirator on the project, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). It is Sidwell who is preoccupied with wanting to bring Marco’s killer to justice (not knowing it’s the man right in front of him!). Sidwell told Cullum if bringing Marco’s killer to justice wasn’t a priority for the WSB director, then why should protecting Cullum be a priority for him?

SIDWELL VS. CULLUM

The two finally put aside their differences as they have to complete Faison’s final project for it will be highly lucrative for them, useful for their mutual gains, and groundbreaking. In order to do that they need a great mind with a scientific background to finish it up and get them to the finish line since Britt as disappeared.

Later, outside of “General Hospital,” Obrecht is headed back to her car after searching Britt’s office for any clues as to the whereabouts of her daughter. But when she got in the car to drive away, that’s when the aforementioned Cullum strikes!

Courtesy/ABC

BROOK LYNN GETS ADVICE FROM A FORMER ADULTERESS

In other key developments, after Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) keeps inserting herself into Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) life, all with the seeming pretense to pay back Chase for helping her clear her name at the trial, and standing by her, she brings good news in person about baby Phoebe’s adoption to Alexis’ (Nancy Lee Grahn) law office to Chase. Once Brook Lynn heard Chase was on her away over with paperwork, she decided to hightail it out of there for an “emergency” appointment for Deception.

As we come to find out, Brook Lynn meets up with Lucy (Lynn Herring) at the Metro Court pool, She then proceeds to inform Lucy about Willow sniffing around he husband. Lucy says she knows a thing or two about being an adulteress. Brook Lynn wants Lucy to help her send a clear message to Willow to stay away from her husband, or else!

Now below, check out the scenes before Obrecht was kidnapped where she visited Willow, Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) and suspects Willow is up to no good.

Then let us know, with Lucy taking Brook Lynn under her wing, what plot do you think the two will come up with against Willow? What do you think will happen to Obrecht? With Lucas also at Wyndemere trying to bait Sidwell into an attempted murder charge, will he winds up thrown in the secret room with Josslyn? Share your thoughts and theories on the latest GH via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration

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The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.

This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.

In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.

Photo: JPI

WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?

The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.  Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.

Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.

Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series

Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones

The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III

Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz

General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen

The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann

So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Marc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’

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The Thursday June 4 episode of General Hospital paved way for the end of the line for Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) butler/fixer, Pascal (Marc Forget).

In the pick of the June 3 cliffhanger, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) was the hero and stopped the evil-doer from fleeing Port Charles for his part in aiding and abetting his boss with the cover-up of the murder of Professor Henry Dalton (Daniel Goddard) among other crimes.

Today’s episode did indeed mark the final appearance of Marc Forget who joined the ABC soap opera when he debuted back in July of 2025. Viewers met met Pascal when Kelly Thiebaud returned to the soap opera as Britt Westbourne and she was being blackmailed to work on Faison’s final project while at the Five Poppies in Dalmatia.

Courtesy/ABC

A General Hospital rep confirmed to Soap Opera Digest, that the June 4 episode, “Will be the last viewers will see of Pascal for now, but notes that in the world of Port Charles, comebacks are always possible.” So, how did Pascal get written-off the canvas? Here’s what went down:

PASCAL GIVES LUCAS KEY INFORMATION BEFORE BEING DRAGGED AWAY

After Sonny intercepted Pascal on his desperate attempt to get out of town, Sonny informed him hat Sidwell would stop at nothing from trying to get retribution for whoever killed his son, Marco, and promptly turned around and said that he would help Pascal flee the country, only if he turned on Sidwell.

An absolutely terrified Pascal had evidence for Sonny that he could use against Sidwell. However, he feared he would get killed on sight if he tried to retrieve the incriminating photos of Sonny and Laura from the safe at Wyndemere. So instead, Pascal gave the combination to the safe to Lucas (Van Hansis), so he could get the blackmail photos himself. But, did Pascal just set up Lucas to be killed since he loathes him for being the man to win the heart of the late Marco?

In the end, Sonny had one of his henchmen drag Pascal away and whisked off to an airfield to fly away to parts unknown, and hopefully never to be heard from again. But what now? Is Lucas going to end up being pegged as Marco’s killer and taken down by Sidwell if he gets his hands on the incriminating photos for Sonny and Laura? Stay tuned.

So, what did you think of Marc Forget’s run as Pascal? Sad or happy to see the character go? Do you think he will be back down the line? Share your thoughts 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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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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