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‘General Hospital’s’ Michael E. Knight Talks The Evolution of Martin Grey and Working with Icons: Genie Francis, Erika Slezak, and Jane Elliot (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC

When soap opera favorite, Michael E. Knight debuted on General Hospital back in 2019 as Martin Grey, the lawyer for Nelle Benson (Chloe Lanier), the character was a lot different than the 2025 version. The three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor best-known for his performances as All My Children’s beloved Tad Martin, has the opportunity to strut his stuff since Martin has become more complex, more shady (think Tracy/Ronnie drama), and yet has a deep love for his sister, the Mayor of Port Charles, Laura Collins (Genie Francis).

Knight recently spoke with Michael Fairman for a conversation now on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, about how Martin has shifted from the once southern drawl legal eagle, to the clean-shaven more cosmopolitan version of the character, and the incredible opportunity he had to work with Jane Elliot (Tracy) and Erika Slezak (Ronnie) in the battle over Monica’s last will and testament, and for the right to own the Quartermaine Mansion. As it turned out, Martin was responsible for forging the will to keep Tracy from getting what Monica rightly gifted her; all part of his revenge plot.

Michael shared his deep gratitude to the GH creatives for giving Martin Grey, second life. “I really want to reach out and hug Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte (co head-writers, GH) for getting me off the bench and retooling the character, because, Martin started out one way; the whole ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken,’ and beard thing. Then, about two years ago, Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) just said, ‘Ok, we talked. We want you to be more of a leading man. Basically, we want more of Tad. So, I’ve been allowed two lives on General Hospital. The people I get to work with are amazing.”

Courtesy/ABC

We have to agree! Not only is Knight amazing, but so too are the women he recently and has continued to work with: Genie Francis, Jane Elliot and special guest star, Erika Slezak. Speaking of the legends, and why they have remained successful in the soap medium, Knight shared, “There are fewer and fewer people who can actually do it, and who want to work at that kind of speed and at that kind of level. The people that are really brilliant at it are the likes of Erika, Jane and Genie.”

ERIKA SLEZAK

Getting the opportunity to work with Erika Slezak is something Knight will never forget: “Erika is so great at showing vulnerability. I asked her to please come back and do this again, because in three weeks she created this wonderful character where she goes at it with Tracy, but then you see the rest of the Quartermaine family fall in love with Ronnie and they let her fall in love with them.”

Knight recalled a moment with Erika, saying, “You’ve done all this great work. The Quartermaines love you. The fans love you. You’ve created a place in people’s hearts. When are you going to come back?’ She’s like, ‘I like my home. I like Connecticut, I like my family. This is hard work.”‘ However, Michael has faith that Erika will be back when the show has a story for Ronnie. “I think they will (bring her back). I hope they do. I really do. Let’s face it, she’s a great foil for Tracy.”

One of the key moments in the storyline was when Martin blackmailed Ronnie, when she wanted nothing more to with his plan to dupe Tracy out of Monica’s house. Knight recalled, “After it (the scene) was over, we kind of looked at each other, because we had taken two or three passes at it. Erika came over and she hugged me and she said, ‘Thank you, Thank you for putting the work in.’  I knew the work was good. I was (initially) worried because I wondered what would Chris and Elizabeth do now that you’ve got Martin in a corner.”

GENIE FRANCIS

Several years back, Laura learned she had two half-brothers. The treacherous Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) and Martin Grey. Since that time, Michael Knight has been able to play the love between brother and sister and the disappointment she has with his questionable actions. “Genie is one of the funniest people I’ve ever worked with,” shared Knight.

Photo: ABC

No matter what Martin does, Knight feels like Laura is there for her brother and vice versa. “They are still very much brother and sister. Family’s at a premium and is a big deal to Martin. His older brother Cyrus was wiped out, father died, and his mother is in a home somewhere. And all of a sudden he’s got this wonderful woman as a sister that he never knew we had. So there’s a lot at stake (for him).”

JANE ELLIOT

As to Martin and Tracy, Knight knows these are two people who love to just needle each other. “They love playing dirty,” explains Michael. “I said to Jane a couple months back, ‘I think we have a soap opera relationship based on a Wile E. Coyote and a Road Runner cartoon. It’s like, ‘I scheme and scheme and scheme and scheme and scheme.’  I’m always going to be the one to get the anvil on the head, because Tracy sidesteps. She figures out what’s going on and finds a way to snake her way out of it!”

Photo: ABC

“Jane’s just not the kind of person that leaves well enough alone, like the pinching of the cheeks (scene when Martin is found out), she’ll just find something that always takes it to another level,” shares Knight. “If you have two or three takes with her, by the end of it, I’m usually having so much fun. I’m chewing the scenery a couple times. It’s always fun to work with somebody who’s just going to give you more than is on the page.”

In case you missed it, check out our full conversation with Michael E. Knight below.

Now let us know, do you enjoy the Martin Grey 2.0 version? And Michael’s scenes with Genie Francis, Jane Elliot and with Erika Slezak? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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He’s the best. So happy he’s on GH.

As a viewer is such a gift to see all these iconic actors share the screen together, they know how to create magic, and Yes, I’m loving Martin 2.0, his scenes with Genie are so touching and its great to see sibling relationships play out, and well what can one say about his scene with Jane Elliot, I mean its pure gold and as a viewer a pleasure to see play out.

Glad they let Michael ditch the unnecessary, silly drawl and the Colonel Saunders beard. He’s just a natural actor, and those forced affectations distracted from his talent. Watching Michael go toe to toe with Jane, Genie, Jane and Nancy really underscores just how good he can be. I’m very happy they’re giving him a second chance.

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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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Is This Congresswoman Cain’s New Chief of Staff?

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In one of the more far-fetched soap opera moments in recent memory, while Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) and Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) are chatting at the Quartermaine boathouse in swimming trunks for him and a bikini for her, the two exes have a heart to heart on Wednesday’s June 3 episode of General Hospital.

The moment was set-up by Michael (Rory Gibson) and Jacinda (Paige Herschell) who want to find a way to push the exes together in order to get incriminating evidence of the two, so Michael can gain leverage over Willow for full custody of their children. once and for all. Jacinda notes how Chase definitely has a savior and white knight syndrome going on.

During Willow and Chase’s chat at the boathouse, the subject turns to how Chase was demoted at the PCPD in his efforts to help get Willow acquitted of attempted murder charges at her trial for the shooting of Drew. He has since gone from detective to patrolman. However, Willow comes up with an idea! Why doesn’t he come to work for her as her chief of staff. Willow feels he would be perfect, because he is only one of the only people she can trust.

Courtesy/ABC

WILLOW LAYS OUT THE BENEFITS OF CHASE ACCEPTING HER JOB OFFER

A surprised Chase, says he isn’t qualified, but Willow thinks otherwise. She urges him to consider the position she is offering, because it would give him a more regular schedule that would be befitting for him being a new father to baby Phoebe.

Chase’s want to know why it was so important to Willow that he take the job, she continues to explain how she trusts him, but Tracy (Jane Elliot) spots the two in a close moment and hides behind the boathouse. Willow exits, but asks Chase to promise he will think over her offer.

Next, Tracy threatens Chase that this is the last time he will cheat on her granddaughter, Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton). Knowing he didn’t “cheat” on his wife, Chase looks pissed off.

So, can you imagine, Chase as Willow’s Chief of Staff? Weigh-in if you think he will be stupid enough to take this job knowing the issues it would cause for Brook Lynn? Will the police officer ever get the clue that Willow is manipulating him like she does to everyone else? Weigh-in 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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