General Hospital
General Hospital Recasts The Role Of Mayor Lomax With Shari Belafonte!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Here’s some intruiging casting news out of General Hospital! Shari Belafonte has been cast as the new underhanded Mayor Lomax of Port Charles!
According to Soap Opera Digest, Saidah Arrika Ekulona who has played the part since 2012 is out, and the series has brought in Belafonte.
For those in the know, Shari has a long-running tie to the GH family. Her husband is Sam Behrens, who played Jake Meyer from 1983-1988 (pictured here with Belafonte). Look for Shari to make her GH debut in her new recurring role on January 19th.
Shari is best known for her work as Julie Gilette on the 1980’s television series Hotel, and is the daughter of legendary singer, Harry Belafonte.
So, what do you think about the new Mayor Lomax of Port Charles … Shari Belafonte? Comment below!
Don’t really care for the recasting but hey, love Sam Behrens! Let’s bring back Jake Meyer!
As long as she won’t be in a couple mess of begging someone to love her and all that love gone wrong sappy boring stuff, I’m OK with the recast.
As Lomaxs husband…
I agree! Bobbie needs some lovin’!! Besides Scott, I think Jake would do the trick…maybe, we’d even get more Lucy as a result (older viewers may remember he got Lucy pregnant). Noah Drake is probably on tour, D.L. Brock is dead, Tony Jones is dead, Damian Smith is dead, Stefan Cassadine is dead, Roy DiLucca is living in Miami, and Jerry Jacks seems to have forgotten (like the show) that he was once with Barbara Jean.
Yes Liam! Bobbie and Jake were a great couple! And I believe that’s what started the Lucy/Bobbie rivalry. It was soap magic!
I would love to see Sam with Shari I remember him on GH knots landing and another soap. He is also my Cousin.
Love Sheri, she’s a beauty and talent that’s needed on GH!
Oops, “Shari”.
It’s true, Joe. The mayor is such an obscure figure that most of us do not care for the recast. But, I love Shari Belafonte. If we must have a mayor on GH, I’d rather have Shari than Saidah. I just can’t see Shari playing an unscrupulously bad character en league with the DA.
Why do that I like the actress who played the part. These two bubble head writers are long known for recasting or writing characters into corners so you don’t care or forget they’re even part of the show.
I like the “former” mayor as well
she had a no nonesense approach …. “tough” as nails
ready to pack a whallop
don’t see Shari Belefonte in that arena ???
dang it tho! Sam Behrens…. wasn’t he all that on Knot’s Landing… as Valene husband
Yes, Patrick. But, she could also be bought for a song, no? Did I get that wrong? Isn’t she in the DA’s pocket? It remains to be seen if the recast fits in that same pocket.
Love Shari — excited about this!
Congrats to her! (I also did love Sam as Jake, so it would be an added bonus for him to show up, too.
Lots for him to do!)
Love Shari – think she will be great! And can she PLEASE bring back Sam / Jake Meyer with her!!! PLEASE!!! PC can never have enough Lawyers!! LOL .
Bobbie & Jake were great! <3 Those two!! Think they would still be great together!!
has not been such a major character in the past – will be interesting with re-cast
Wonder if that means a bigger story is coming up? The rigged election? Maybe it’ll bring Felicia back to the canvas too…
Great point and observation, AJ.
Is this another Frank Valentini crush? Didn’t really work for Donna Mills in soap land. Tired of stunt casting. Not to be rude — well, okay, just this onece — but when was the last time Shari did anything relevant? Come on GH, enough with the casting & recasting and over casting!
The role is insignificant/hardly seen..
but- Port Charles needs its’ Mayor.. (no big deal…
hope the character remains insignificant 😉
You’re right, su. I made the same point….the mayor is an obscure figure. However, AJ’s point is foremost in my mind, now that I think about it. Perhaps there’s a story to tell about the rigged election coming to the fore. Shari is a lot more charismatic than Saidah, if that is the case.
I also agree with Ces. I want Shari to act and not sing. Not too interested in that side of her.
I wouldn’t say another FV crush but would definitely say another cheap FV publicity grab by hyping a “name” star in a role that will only last a few days at best.
Mayor Lomax is what I think of as a non-character. Just a prop trotted out on rare occasions to further plot points. I can’t even get a mental picture of the actress who played the role before and I doubt too many would even notice that the role had been recast (yet again) much less with Shari Belafonte if GH wasn’t going out of their way to hype it.
No dis to the very talented Shari B and it’s good of her to do the role but she’s not known for her acting and I expect any of her fans who’d tune in expecting singing would be disappointed. Even if they do try to work in a singing number (from MAYOR LOMAX??) into their Toys For Tots Gala it would still be totally WTF????
IA with you. Enough with the stunts. GH should instead try to focus on actual solid storytelling. There can be room for an occasional guest shot within that but if that’s all you’ve got…you’re toast.
Love your post, KM.
Let me elaborate. KM, I know exactly what you’re saying. I am familiar with Shari…..my Gran loves Harry; so, it goes without saying I grew up hearing about the family, the music etc.
But as I stated above, I, too, am not so certain she can pull off the bad girl act.
Pretty sure I don’t want to see anymore “singers” on the show either. Not my style of music. Tired of stunt casting and just tired of more characters altogether … thought Paul would be a partner for Tracy but alas, he’s turned into another gangster.
None of the current stories are terribly exciting, not unless they can keep Johnny Z on the show!
To have Shari B sing they would have to put out big money..
it is the way it works, she would not perform/sing for free.
lol her manager would never allow it, either..
Why?
That’s a nice recast, since she has some history with GH married to one of GH lawyer guy in real life, so great recast GH
Not familiar with her work, but if this ties up the loose ends to Mayor Lomax’s stories, then I am all for it.
Now I hope they have another fair election for a new mayor since the last one was fraught with “irregularities” and deals and cost us Felicia.
I think the mayor will clash with Paul. I dont think the re-election has anything to do with it?
I was thinking the same thing, Timmm. Perhaps the recast is to bring in a Paul adversary, and not one who can be bought. I think a storyline about Lomax is in the works and it directly involves the DA. If that is the case, it should prove to be interesting.
I haven’t seen a photo of this actress in years. She really resembles her father in this photo.
Cant wait!! She is awesome! I do not think this is stunt casting, we don’t know maybe the other actress got another gig, and they plan to expand the Lomax character. Sheri has the chops to do it and perhaps she wanted to get back into acting. Great addition, just hope she gets screen time.
Yes, and a drop in my Jake Meyer would be nice! He is a lawyer so it is possible
Was the other actress no longer available? Sometimes I think soaps forget that the audience wants actors to remain in their roles and don’t normally take too quickly to recasts, regardless of how often they’re on. I’m just curious about the “why” of this recast. I love Sheri, but I also liked and was familiar with Saidah. You didn’t have to hit viewers who have been with GH for any length of time with the fact that she was the mayor. Now they will. Are they expanding the role?
Well okay BUT bring back JAKE to! PC can always use another attorney AND Bobbi needs a squeeze!
I like the other mayor, also; however, I’m willing to give Shari a chance in the role.
Yes, of course, Belle. I was thinking that Paul and the mayor will be given more air time together. Now, if Lomax and Paul have had an affair in the past, the present Lomax appears too rigid for my taste. Enter Shari. She is so much softer than her predecessor.
I think Robert Scorpio is going to work with his brother and Anna to bring Paul down.
@Harry.
I surely hope so, Harry. Scorpio and Mac should bring Paul, the Don Juan, down. I really like Tracy, and the way Paul is playing her really makes me feel for her. He really is bad news.
I’ve never thought of Shari as a singer, only ever as an actress. She’s an interesting recast for a role that no one likes or wants to see – except to bring Felicia back to the canvas – so I’ll reserve judgment until she appears onscreen.
As with so many others who’ve mentioned it, I would LOVE for Sam Behrens to return as Jake. He was Bobbie’s favourite husband of mine.
I so wish TPTB would let we fans see much more of the characters we’ve loved for so long, such as Mac, Felicia, Lucy, Laura, Bobbie, even Alice, and others who I’ve probably forgotten about since I never see them any more. I can really do without Franco, Nina, Dr. O., Paul Hornsby, Dillon, Jerry Jacks, etc. etc. They take up time that should be reserved for the characters and actors fans really WANT to see. Not too long ago I would have included Kiki in that list, but Hayley Erin has been doing a very good job lately. I have more complaints about who takes up valuable screen time, but this was originally about Shari Belafonte so I’ll quit while I’m ahead (if it isn’t tool late). Welcome, Shari, and feel free to bring your hubby with you!
I already dislike her character, so she’s doing a great job!!!
She is doing a great job. Someone you love to hate.
I knew she looked familiar. She is great in her part as mayor. She looks like”don’t mess with me!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
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B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
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