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
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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