General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Head Writers Share Plans to Honor Leslie Charleson and Bid Farewell to Monica Quartermaine
While previously noting that six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak’s (Viki, One Life to Live) arrival times with the passing of Monica Quartermaine on upcoming episode of General Hospital, on Monday co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten revealed more details on how the show plans to honor the late Leslie Charleson and the character of Monica.
First up, Monica’s death is said to occur this month in September and the character’s passing will leave an indelible mark on the Q family and all of Port Charles as the scribes have crafted a story, they feel is befitting of Leslie Charleson.
“When bidding farewell to her and to Monica, there could be no half-measures,” the writers shared. “Honoring Leslie’s contribution to General Hospital and Monica’s significance to Port Charles meant doing more than simply throwing a funeral and looking back at the past.”
Photo: ABC
Korte and Van Etten aded, “We wanted Monica’s passing to kick off a new story; to create new connections on the canvas; to test her loved ones; and to grow their relationships. This way, Monica may be gone — but her legacy will be felt long into the future.”
On a personal note to all GH fans, they shared, “Leslie Charleson was adored by the cast, crew, and audience.” Overall the writers could not be more pleased with the cast of General Hospital and what they have given to the stories they have written, including the passing of Monica, adding, “The cast and crew have fulfilled and surpassed our expectations in every respect and for every story.”
Photo: JPI
Leslie Charleson died back on January 12th of this year at 79-years old. In story, Monica has been ailing for a few years now as the character’s often talk about her fragile state, in particular last week, when Tracy (Jane Elliot) discovered Drew (Cameron Marthison) was shot and she didn’t know how she was going to tell Monica, who is Drew’s adoptive mother.
GH executive producer, Frank Valentini, paid tribute to Charleson on her death, expressing, “Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on ‘General Hospital’ alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set.”
So, are you ready? Are you going to have the hankies ready as we are about to say goodbye to Monica Quartermaine as GH’s honors the legacy of the character and her portrayer, the late Leslie Charleson? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Very much looking forward to the GH tributes to both Leslie Charleson and her character, Dr. Monica Quartermaine.
I’m glad the writers didn’t rush into this and are making this the major story that it is. The cast is definitely going to deliver. There will be many tears, I’m sure.
The picture of Monica in the vault raises a few questions:
Will they move Justus’ spot? The plaque next to Lila (and beneath Alan) should be for either Monica or reserved for Tracy.
Soaps always play loose with ages, but were we supposed to believe Alan was only 59 when he passed?
My theory is that one reason it’s taken so long to tell the Monica death story is that, just by coincidence, Leslie Charleson’s passing happened right around the same time Chad Duell left the show.
Michael and his grandmother Monica had grown close over the years, so it would seem very strange to proceed with this story with Michael off the canvas. And even when he returned in recast form, well you probably should be sure the recast was successful before you attempt to pull off this story. It’s bad enough they threw NuMikey immediately into the custody battle and the surprise courtroom birth of his daughter Daisy.
Fortunately for everybody, Rory has done a great job as Mikey, and even though he has never actually had any scenes with Monica, I believe he will be able to play the grieving grandson convincingly when this story rolls out. And there’s probably a good chance that Grandma Monica is going to leave the estate to him. She could leave it to Jason, as her last surviving child, but even though Jason has moved back “home” for Danny’s sake, I’m not so sure he would want to inherit the mansion.
Hopefully having all this extra time to write the story will mean they did it right. And by that I mean… do not involve that useless piece of Hallmark crap in the story at all. If he can’t be in Hell, at least put him in a coma until Monica is properly laid to rest and her earthly affairs are settled.
I agree that Duell’s departure (and Michael being off canvas) was one part. Gibson has far exceeded expectations since day one and made the courtroom scene work.
While they sometimes tape 2-3 weeks before air date, the scripts are typically written 3 months before air. Story arcs planned before the writing. There were multiple storylines featuring the Q’s already in progress when LC passed (Gio’s paternity, the custody battle and Drew’s dastardly deeds). All needed to come to resting points before they could address Monica’s passing.
Despite some misgivings, Drew will be a part of the story. One of LC’s last big scenes was when CM’s Drew returned to tell her Jason “died” again.
As for who gets the house… while Michael is a logical choice, leaving him the house doesn’t create any long-term drama. And, yes, Jason doesn’t want it. To maintain some ongoing angst for Tracy, my prediction is Monica leaves the house to Olivia. Like Monica, Olivia is a Q by marriage and can stand up to Tracy when needed.
I am glad that they have finally decided to honor Monica Quatermain, she was a wonderful actress. I grew up watching her on general hospital. She is very much missed
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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