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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: Ava Spikes Brennan’s Drink as Drew’s Masterplan Begins to Unfolds

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Ava

The Friday, August 28 episode of General Hospital confirmed viewers suspicious from the ABC weekly promo that dropped earlier in the week. Ava Jerome (Maura West) is definitely the woman who is spiking the drink of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).

How did it all go down? Let’s recap. Ava met up with Drew (Cameron Mathison) at the Metro Court poolside, and he filled her in on his plan to use the thumb drive given to him by Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight) to interfere with the Metro Court Hotel’s security system by way of Carly’s (Laura Wright) office computer.

Next, Drew hands over an envelope with a sleeping pill in it with the demand the Ava somehow slyly slip into Brennan’s drink. Ava is not liking the idea of drugging the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief.

Courtesy/ABC

KEEPING BRENNAN OCCUPIED

Drew wants insurance that he has enough time to get into Brennan’s room unnoticed, and get the evidence that proved he embezzled money from the McConkey Esplanade project to fund his Congressional campaign away from Jack. He feels the sleeping pill will buy him the time he needs.

Ava accuses Drew of setting her up to take the fall, and she is now having second thoughts about them working together especially after her friend, Nina (Cynthia Watros) warned her about Drew, yet again.

Drew has a comeback for Ava. That is that Sonny (Maurice Benard) has a powerful ally in Mayor Laura Collins (Genie Francis), and he thought that he and Ava were each other’s best shot to team-up and take Sonny down for both their mutual gains. After all, Drew is targeting Sonny as the lynchpin for all his revenge, and Ava is sick of how Sonny dictates when she will see and raise their daughter, Avery.

DRINK UP!

Reluctantly, Ava took the pill from Drew to use on Brennan, only if she absolutely finds it a necessity to do so. As she is on her way to meet Brennan, she flashes back to Sonny calling her a “cancer who should be cut out of Avery’s life.” So, what does Ava do? For insurance, she crushes up the sleeping pill!

Next, Ava sits at a table at the Metro Court poolside with Brennan, and he seems to be knocking back a few drinks upset over his run-in earlier with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) and Carly. He suddenly gets a phone call that has to take in private and gets up from the table. That moments enables Ava to slip the crushed up sleeping pill into Brennan’s drink and stir it around. We fade to black.

Take a look at the scene where Drew slips Ava a drug to help tide over Brennan while he tries to retrieve the evidence Brennan is using to blackmail him below.

Now weigh-in: were you disappointed to see Ava back to her old devious ways? Do you think Drew will be successful getting back the evidence? Is this the beginning of the end of Jack Brennan since it as has been reported Chris McKenna is exiting the soap? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Double Emmy Nominee Jeff Kober Reveals He Would Be Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ If He Could Work Again with Genie Francis

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Jeff Kober and Genie Francis

Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault, General Hospital) has been in celebration mode since July after receiving not only a Daytime Emmy nomination for his role on the ABC daytime drama series, but a Primetime Emmy nomination for his dramatic turn on the HBO Max series The Pitt where he played patient Duke Elkins. The dual nominations mark the first-time in Emmy history that a performer has been nominated for both Emmy awards at the same time.

As GH viewers know, Kober made his debut in General Hospital as Cyrus Renault in 2020. He appeared in the show on-and-off for five years until his character was killed off in an episode that aired on February 20, 2025 ending Renault’s reign of terror.

In fact, it was Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) who shot and killed him, and along with Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna), covered it up. It was that moment that eventually turned Josslyn into an avenge-seeking WSB agent. Kober came back one last time to GH back in December of 2025, when he reprised the role in a dream sequence with Cyrus’ on-screen sister, Laura Collins (Genie Francis).

Courtesy/ABC

JEFF KOBER AND GENIE FRANCIS PLAYED TV BROTHER AND SISTER

Speaking with PEOPLE, Kober talked about his time on General Hospital and if he would ever consider returning to the soap opera if they were to resurrect the now deceased troublemaker Cyrus Renault, or if he even where to play someone else in Port Charles?

“I love to work and I would do anything with Genie (Francis),” expressed Kober. “She’s a great actress and a great scene partner. She’s someone who’ll go anywhere you want to go with them So, if they bring me back and let me work with her, I wouldn’t mind making the drive over to Prospect Studios.”

Kober added, “I would say I’m closest to her in that we both get excited when we can work together because both of us want to make it as rich as possible and find the dangerous areas of it, and see what happens there.”

WILL JEFF KOBER FIND HIMSELF WITH EMMY GOLD TWICE OVER COME THIS FALL?

Previously, Kober won the Outstanding Supporting Actor in Daytime Drama Series for his performances as Cyrus Renault back in 2022. He was also nominated in 2021. Now in 2026, Jeff finds himself among the nominees in the Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series category.

For the Primetime Emmy Awards, and also as had been previously reported, Kober submitted himself in the Guest category when the studio/network did not. Speaking to his decision to self submit, Jeff shared, “There are so many great performances on this show (The Pitt), and they have a limited number of people that they can submit. But I knew it was a job that I wanted to have seen. I knew the material and my particular wheelhouse were perfectly aligned, so I really wanted to at least have it be seen.”

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards are set to air live on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, while the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be streamed live on watch.theemmys.tv and associated apps on on Friday night, October 30 from Hollywood.

So, would you like to either see Cyrus Renault turn out to be alive … or Jeff Kober return to GH in another role and share scenes and a story with General Hospital icon, Genie Francis? Let us know via the comment section.

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‘General Hospital’ Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Action-Thriller ‘Supermax’

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Nicholas Alexander Chavez

Nicholas Alexander Chavez (ex-Spencer Cassadine, General Hospital) has booked another motion picture role, and this time it’s in the upcoming action-thriller Supermax. The Amazon MGM and Miramax feature is currently in production.

According to Deadline, character details for the film which stars Will Smith and AnnaSophia Robb, are being kept under wraps. Production began on Monday, August 24 in New South Wales, Australia, with support from the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund.

In story, Supermax follows two FBI agents (Smith & Robb) who investigate a seemingly impossible murder within the impenetrable walls of a maximum-security prison. Jaafar Jackson and Jason Clarke are also set for roles in the film.

SUPERMAX IS NEXT FEATURE ROLE FOR THE FORMER GH DAYTIME EMMY WINNER

Chavez’s casting announcement came with the addition of the former General Hospital Daytime Emmy winner, and three other actors who joined the production.

David Gordon Green directs the film from script by David Weil and David J. Rosen, with The Picture Company’s Andrew Rona & Alex Heineman producing alongside Smith and Adam Fishbach for Westbrook Studios. The plan is for Supermax to be released on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

After departing his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital in early 2024 (in a part part he had played since 2021), Chavez went on to star as Lyle Menendez in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. He then reunited with Murphy for the FX horror drama Grotesquerie as father Charlie Mayhew.

Coming up, Nicholas will be seen in The Technique, a psychological thriller, where he stars alongside Emma Roberts, Ben Platt and Noomi Rapace, as well as and the remake of the horror flick, Possession.

So, what do you think of Nicholas Alexander Chavez’s upcoming role in Supermax? Wondering what he will be playing in the action-thriller? Do you miss him on General Hospital? Let us know 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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