On General Hospital, Molly Lansing-Davis (Kristen Vaganos) could be the verge of a major romance with Cody Bell (Josh Kelly), and is on the verge of major fallout with her sister, her mother, and her father, if it comes to light that Kristina (Kate Mansi) cut the brakes to Ric Lansing’s (Rick Hearst) car when aiming to hurt Ava (Maura West), but instead almost killed Molly’s father.

Couple that, with the fact that now Ric and Ava are blackmailing Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) for the Cassadine fortune, in an effort to keep Kristina out of jail and from Molly ever learning what Kristina did. It’s quite a soapy mess!

Michael Fairman TV caught up with Kristen Vaganos last week on the red carpet at the Daytime at Night – A Benefit for St. Jude concert and fundraiser at the world-famous Troubadour nightclub in West Hollywood, California, where Kristen was on hand to support her GH co-stars including: Josh Kelly who was performing a country number on the stage all for a great cause.

Photo: JPI

As the real story goes, Vaganos took over the role of Molly in 2023, after both Holiday Mia Kriegel and Brooke Anne Smith did not stick the landing as Ric and Alexis’ daughter. The part was recast after Haley Pullos had to step away from the part following her various legal woes stemming from her DUI car crash in April of 2023. Now, Vaganos is firmly in the part with a storyline that has far reaching tentacles.

So, what does Kristen think of all that lies ahead ready to be exposed to Molly, her GH co-stars, and more? Check out our chat with her below!

Photo: ABC

At this point, Molly seems to be really believing in Kristina, even after everything the two have been through. Would you say that’s where their sibling relationship is at?

KRISTEN: Yes, she really does believe in Kristina at the moment. I think she needs it, you know what I mean? She’s lost so much that she really needs somebody to hold onto. And obviously, that makes the fall greater if and when it comes, if you really believe in someone again. So, I think that’s the most interesting way to play it. I just think like Molly lost so much. She needs Kristina. Some constant, you know.

How has it been to work with Josh Kelly, and in this burgeoning romantic relationship between Molly and Cody?

KRISTEN: He’s the best. Josh is just like his character in that he is wacky and silly and always up for something. I am a lot like Molly. So our off-screen relationship is a lot like our on-screen relationship; where he’s getting me out of my comfort zone and making it more silly and fun and spontaneous. I think that’s why our scenes play really well, because he’s like that in real life.

Photo: ABC

Do you feel that the powers-that-be are going to invest and take their time with a Molly and Cody pairing, so they become a couple to root for? 

KRISTEN: It’s definitely in the works right now. We continue to have more opportunities to work together, and we have a really fun time with our dynamic. I think it’s a really interesting one. They’re polar opposites, and to me that is innately worth investigating because it’s fun and it’s like, “What happens if you put these two together?” I think it’s interesting and I think we’ll see a little bit more of it.

Rick Hearst recently visited the Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream interview and he said you and him just hit it off right away and he loves having you as his on-screen daughter. Did he ever offer any advice on working on daytime or at GH?

KRISTEN: I love Rick. By the time he came on, I had my footing a little bit, which was great and so we could really just slide into play our relationship. He was lovely. When Rick came on, I was so excited by the fact that they were bringing him back because I really felt like it was an investment in me too and in the character. And then when he returned, he was just so amazing. We’ve had a really good time together.

Photo: ABC

You had a daunting task when you were cast as Molly. Previously, two other actresses had replaced Haley Pullos in the role and neither worked out. Were you like, “Are they going to throw me out the front door, too?” I would think that if I was an actress going into a role which has had multiple recasts, I would be a bit nervous walking into the part. And then, of course, being prepared for the soap audience reaction to another new actress stepping into the role, when, at times, they can be quick to judge.  How did you prepare yourself emotionally for what might lie ahead?

KRISTEN:  It was really interesting, because you everybody knows that there’s going to be bad reviews and there’s going be people who don’t like you, and that’s just what you sign up for. But, it was really interesting to come into a space where people had such strong opinions that they made casting choices based off of it, and hiring choices based off it. And that was really interesting because, I know I can do a good job, but do I know that I can fit the mold of what the fans already believe in as Molly? That’s a different story. Once I saw how strong their opinions were, I really wanted to do right by them. This role existed before me. It’s more theirs than it is mine. So yes, it was daunting and I wanted to make them feel comfortable.

Photo: ABC

How was it to work with your on-screen mom, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) the first time you met her?

KRISTEN: What I had on my side was that I did a chemistry read with Nancy before I got hired. So, by the time I did get hired, Nancy had sort of given her seal of approval on me. So, that felt good and we sort of clicked right away as well. Kate Mansi and I were actually just at Nancy’s house the other week for dinner with Nancy’s real-life daughter, Kate.

I’ve known Kate Grahn since she was little girl, and she’s become a major talent in her own right.

KRISTEN: Kate Grahn is such a sweetheart. We all do Pilates together. We’re truly like a happy family. It’s kind of amazing.

Photo: ABC

In the story of the Davis girls, Kristina’s the daughter that always gets the most attention from Alexis, as she is the one emotionally on the edge most of the time, while Molly is the thinker and the more level-headed of the two. Molly truly feels she comes second, correct?

KRISTEN: It’s exhausting when someone else is the problem child. They get all the attention and you’re expected to just have it together and save the day, and put it aside and exhale and swallow your pride and all that. So, Molly’s got a tough job.

One of the things you play so believably is Molly as the assistant district attorney. She is organized, and all, “let’s get down to business.”

KRISTEN: Thank you. I know that they (the powers-that-be) also wanted to age Molly up. They took the new casting opportunity to make her feel more mature. So, that was part of my task. I have actually always been much more mature for my age, people always say that about me. I think it’s a good element for the character to have. But yes, I love her professionalism.

Photo: JPI

When this secret comes out that Kristina cut the brakes to Ric’s car, and that Ric and Ava have been blackmailing Alexis for the Cassadine fortune to keep Kristina out of jail, could you see Molly ever forgiving her mother or sister?

KRISTEN: It’s a good question. I don’t know if and how that is going to unravel. I haven’t even seen a script. I don’t even know anything that you don’t know on this topic. I feel for Molly in the sense of like, if she loses Kristina and Alexis then what does this poor girl have left? I think it could be really interesting to see Molly go on a real rampage. She’s never really done that. I would love to see her just like … lose it.

Now, let us know, are you rooting for Molly and Cody to fall madly in love? Do you hope Kristen gets her wish and Molly learns the truth of the deception from her sister, mother and father of Kristina cutting the brakes to Ric’s car and almost killing him and the blackmailed that ensued all to not have her sister face jail time? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed it, check out our latest interview with Kristen’s on-screen father, Rick Hearst below, where he had many flattering remarks to share on his latest on-screen daughter.