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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chris McKenna Debuts as Jack Brennan; What Were Your First Impressions?

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

On the Tuesday, February 4th episode of General Hospital, viewers got their first glimpses of Chris McKenna (ex-OLTL, Y&R and B&B) in the role of Jack Brennan. The shift was a bit jarring for many fans of the series since they were used to Charles Mesure in the part since December 1, 2023.

As previously reported, Mesure opted to not stay with the ABC daytime drama series, which prompted this sudden recast. Mesure’s last airdate was on January 30th, while McKenna took over on yesterday’s airshow.

In story, Brennan, now played by McKenna, is flying back from Germany along with Carly (Laura Wright), and the two have a conversation filled with sexual innuendos; indicating the next time they are alone, Jack hopes things go further between them.

Courtesy/ABC

Suddenly, he gets a call before they land from Colette (Mercedes Lopez Renard), who informs Jack there is a problem on the ground. He tells her he will meet her as soon as he can. Later, we see the two meet up near a cabin in the woods. While Colette wants to go inside, Jack fears if this is Cyrus Renault’s (Jeff Kober) place, he could come back at any minute.

Jack has alternate plans. He wants Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) to be the one to find Renault’s hideout and to see what she does with the information. As we know, Josslyn already had a terse conversation with Anna (Finola Hughes), about staying out of the PCPD’s investigation of Renault. However,  clearly Josslyn is not getting the message, as she seems to be going rogue to get justice for the death of her beloved boyfriend, Dex Heller, who was murdered by Renault.

Courtesy/ABC

Chris McKenna’s entrance on to GH reunites him with executive producer, Frank Valentini, who for 26 years was at One Life to Live working his way up through the production ranks and eventually as that show’s EP.  McKenna debuted on One Life at only 12-years old as Viki Buchanan’s (Erika Slezak) son, Joey Buchanan, and stayed in the role from 1990-1993. He was replaced in 1994 by none other than Nathan Fillion.

So, what were your first impressions of Chris McKenna as GH’s new Jack Brennan? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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My first impression is who cares gh is making this a bigger story than it is who carez

I care. I liked the other Jack. This one doesn’t even have an accent if I remember correctly. Wish Charles Mesure would have stayed.

Me too he could have at least faked the accent!

Oh please – the only fake accent viewers seem willing to accept is Lois’. Michael Knight was criticized for his “colonel sanders” accent for Martin, which thankfully he discontinued when returning to the show this past fall.

Even John York (who tried an Aussie accent back in the 90s) eventually dropped it.

Heh, Colonel Sanders! The goatee vanished with the Kentucky Fried accent and all the better for it.

I don’t feel that Lois’s accent is foisted on us, I feel that SHE is! Can’t stand that buttinsky, butting in everyone’s lives, now hiring a lawyer for her daughter, she’s totally outrageous!

Totally agree.. There was no chemistry what so ever between him & Laura (Carly).. And this Jack is not Carly’s type at all.. ‍♀️

I am sure he is has experience he just does not fit the part

Me too! The two of them had more chemistry than is legally allowed! If Charles decided to go they should’ve let James ((Val) off him.

Not impressed at all. He is not convincing in the role.

I was so disappointed when the role was recast. That kiss he planted in Carly was honestly the hottest event in months on GH. I did like McKenna on YR and was sad to see him go. I will def give him a chance and his hair is quite stunning. But I still prefer Mesure. Will we ever find out why he chose to leave

You said it, and we never got to see any scenes after they closed the door, what a let down!

I like the new Jack I used to watch him as Joey Buchanan when he was 12 years old Welcome to General Hospital

I agree with comments.
No chemistry between Carly and the new Jack.
Prefer the old Jack.
Not impressed!

That was a whole different role

Gorgeous hairy sexy gorgeous man Chris

Measure had much better chemistry with Laura Wright. Now I find the pair a snooze to watch.

I will give him time, but Charles Mesure was very good in the role. Hope to watch him in whatever project he is involved with next. The spark between Charles and Laura Wright certainly felt real.

Loved Charles Mesure as Jack there was indeed a spark there for Laura Wright that isn’t seen from the new guy.

Agreed!!! The twinkle was REAL!

I’ll give it a little time, but first impression was meh.

Mesure made his presence known in every scene. We’ll see if McKenna can handle the meaty stuff. Glad he didn’t attempt a fake accent.

I like him OK and he looks very familiar.I never watched him on young and the restless or one life to live, but I’ve seen him in something.Now he has an American accent.I’m going to miss the British accent

He only looks familiar to you, yet you miss his British accent, you sound ridiculous!

It was great to see Chris McKenna. I enjoyed him so much as a young teen on One Life to Live. Seeing him all grown up brought a tear to my eye. During their brief scene, I thought he and Laura Wright worked well off each other. I think there could be some fire between them.

I agree.

Doesn’t look like an agent, no chemistry between him as and Laura.

Agree 100%

What does an agent look like?

He’s handsome enough, but I don’t feel the chemistry between him and Carly like I did with Jack.

NOT A GOOD RECAST AT ALL.
BRENNAN WAS AUSSIE. CASTING A PERSON WITH NI ACCENT JUST DOESN’T FIT.
AND SORRY, NOT SORRY BUT HIS HAIR DON’T LOOKS LIKE A 2ND GRADE BOYS HAIRCUT.

The chemistry between Laura Wright and Charles Mesure was off the charts. McKenna is a dud !! Sorry, I see what is NOT there..CHEMISTRY !! He has more of a brotherly vibe .

YES! BROTHERLY VIBE!

Carly and Mesure were hot hot hot! I rather you get rid of the character than have this guy. There is No chemistry he cannot fill the shoes!!! With mesure and Carly You didn’t wanna look away and you smiled the whole entire time. Looking forward to their scenes. They had great chemistry. It made the show. I don’t look forward to watching it now.

Absolutely!!

Agreed. They had chemistry and no disrespect to Laura Wright but I get the feeling that Charles Measure is so crackling with charisma that he’d have chemistry with a Chia Pet. He even had chemistry with Valentin.

Harry, agree 100%, yum!

Charles Mesure much more handsome ! I hated the recast!

He definitely was more handsome!!

Honestly? Not half-bad. It is different? Yes. But it isn’t half-bad. Look forward to seeing what he may be able to do in the role moving forward.

Yuck! Nothing great. Doesn’t compare to the chemistry that was between Carly and the Charles Mesure, Brennan. Very disappointed.

He does not fit the position as Charles did. Maybe Chris could be placed elsewhere! I may find another way to spend my free time.

Don’t like the recast. Very disappointed.

Chris McKenna is a great actor. I remember him as Joey on OLTL. But no chemistry with Lsura Wright. Charles MESURE was perfect for Jack Brennan. Mysterious and sexy! Mesure was SO MUCH BETTER AS JACK BRENNAN! I wish Charles MESURE a speedy recovery and the best of health!

Who said anything about C.M being ill, he just quit?

Talk about toxic fandom. The guy has 4 scenes as a replacement for a very popular actor and people are ready to write him and the show off because of his first day. There’s no point in comparing him with Charles Mesure. He’s not hired to imitate Charles Mesure, and he can’t be Charles Mesure. But if given a chance, he could make the role his own. He did just fine for a first-day recast. His eyes twinkled and the little smiles with Carly on the plane. Then getting down to business with his henchwoman.

You are right on!

Well said! Give it some time. I enjoyed his scenes with Joss today, so I think he continue to get better in the role.

I’m not happy with this I’m 80 years old and looked forward to watching Charles and Laura interact.

I’m not impressed I want Charles back, did he get let go I would like to here from him

I do not like the change. The original actor has hot and had great chemistry with Carly. I do not like these two together at all. Sorry GH you ruined a great couple.

Charles quit

Ok. The guy quit yall. This dude is a hottest to me. And I don’t mind that he doesn’t have an accent. I’m fine with him.

Just another bad recast. Does the casting director ever have the potential actor/actress read with whom they will be paired with? I’m tired of these no chemistry couples

Charles said he had a good read with Laura Wright, so it sounds promising.

He did chem-test with Laura Wright.

There is a YouTube soap video, whether it is true or not.. but it claims Charles felt ” there was too much memorizing of long scripts” that he didn’t feel up too. Not certain if there is any truth to it… as with most things in today’s world…

I am will to give Chris a go, but do miss Charles.

The other Jack had an edge to him which suited him so well for the role that he was playing. Cunning, charming with an air of mystery. It was just so strange him leaving when they were getting to the intimate playful part of the relationship. Then you have this new character popping up with no chemistry as of yet speaking of very intimate conversations. Not feeling it

Bring back the other Jack.

Oh my goodness. I’m a few episodes behind and I had no idea about this. Jack Brennan/Charles Mesure was winning me over the last few months. This is unfortunate. Wow. I hope he’s happy though and I wish him well. I will miss seeing him on the show.

I liked Charles Measure as Jack. He was sexy & had really good sexual chemistry with Laura. Wright (Carly). If the other Jack can’t come back, put Carly with Jason or Sonny.

Don’t like him he doesn’t have class like jack

Thanks but No thanks! You definitely could have done a better job at picking the new Jack Brennan

While I don’t have anything against him he does not have the carisma and accent that makes Carly and Brennan have that spark

I said what hell who is this guy

I like the Australian much better, but that’s just my opinion. We’ll have to wait and see if this guy comes up with the same charisma as he had right now no.

I like him and I hope GH keeps him!!

No I definitely liked the other Jack this guy just don’t fit the part not as handsome is the other Jack I was all excited when Jack and Carly got together not much anymore plus no accent!!!

Bring back the original
This one is not believable as jack brennan

McKenna did a very good job as Jack.

Do not like he has no chemistry with Carly. And has no accent. Should have cast someone closer in looks and accent. Which the other Jack would reconsider and come back other wise this does not work.

I don’t like this one I really like the old Jack. And as a 50 year loyal fan, was really only watching it for the old Jack. Everything else is starting to fall apart.

While there are certainly problems with some storylines, as someone whose watched almost as long as you, I find it hard to believe you were pinning all your hopes on a non-core character introduced only a year ago.

New “Jack” has great hair. Old “Jack” had a quiet, forceful presence, allure, mystery, someone I couldn’t wait to peel the layers, unpack the box within a box.

I prefer Charles Mesure. !!!! Wish he would return asap. I see no chemistry therefore I don’t care to watch the new actor.

Nothing against this actor except he doesn’t look mysterious and doesn’t speak forebodingly either. Measure and Carly had a better connection, but I’ll give this guy some time.

My first impression was geez. What has GH done now. I like the old Jack much better. Loved his accent and voice. I hope Mesure Decides to return.

Why are people so upset about this? It’s not like the new actor had anything to do with Charles Mesure leaving. And Jack Brennan isn’t even a major character on the show. I like Chris McKenna. I thought he was good in the four scenes he’s been in. I’ve seen Chris McKenna in other roles, and he’s a good actor. I know a lot of fans won’t give him a chance because they love Charles Measure (who I think is great), but I’m looking forward to seeing what Chris will bring to the role. Charles Mesure was a joy to watch, but I don’t mind the change. Chris is very brave to take on a role that I didn’t realize was so popular. I’m rooting for him.

Just one little remark, he was BETTER than some of the major characters, fresh and exciting, not all dull and boring like some of the ” old timers”.

I really really really want Charles M. back. He and Carly were perfect with each other. This new Jack Brennan has all the sex appeal of a wet sponge.

No I prefer Charles Mesure.

Please bring Charles Measure back!!! He’s an Aussie and very handsome. Love his personality. Charles and Carly make a great couple. Give Charles more money so he will stay!! We want Charles Measure back on GH!!!!!!

Then I suggest you speak with Charles Mesure, because it was his choice to leave the show. I haven’t heard or read anything to indicate that money was the issue. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that he was offered more money and still decided to leave.

What does surprise me is that the only signed him to a one-year contract in the first place. Maybe that’s the new norm, but three years used to be standard

Hi Michael.

Charles only just completed 13 weeks (first cycle) of his contract. Prior to that, he was on recurring.

Don’t care for this new guy we want Charles back!!!!

Sucks no personality at all like a wet noodle.
Please get someone else

Bring old jack back. No offense to new guy but he’ll never be jack brennan.

TOTALLY TRUE. This one is awful. He is so knuckle-dragging, meat and potatoes. NOT at all slick enough for Carly. BAD recast. Not convincing… I’d rather see Jim DePaiva or Dave Cubitt

I like dePaiva too, but I think he’s about 70 now, isn’t he? So probably a little old for this role. I’m not familiar with Mr. Cubitt.

McKenna will do just fine in the role.

DePaiva was already on GH about 7 years ago as a doctor that harassed Kiki.

Not a good recast. He doesn’t have that same air of mystery/intrigue. Thumbs down!!!!!!!

so true

Nope

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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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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.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair

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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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