General Hospital
Steve Burton Clarifies Hiatus from ‘General Hospital’: ‘I’m Not Sick, Michelle’s Not Pregnant, and I’m Coming Back This Summer’
Earlier this week, social media was abuzz when General Hospital star, Steve Burton took to his Instagram to announce he is stepping away from his role as Jason Morgan for several months with plans on returning over the summer to the ABC daytime drama.
Burton who married Michelle Lundstrom back on May 17, 2025 is looking forward to being able to spend more time with his wife and his kids with some much needed time off. Now, in the latest episode of Steve and Bradford Anderson’s (Spinelli, GH) podcast, That’s Awesome, Burton opened up further at what led to his decision, citing how James Van Der Beek’s (ex-ATWT and Dawson Leery, Dawson’s Creek) tragic death at 48 from colorectal cancer, and leaving behind 6 children and his wife, Kimberly, is why time is so important with your loved ones.
“Life is more important than anything else,” Steve expressed. “I had a couple executive producers who said once, ‘Hey, family and life is way more important than any show that you’re ever going to do.’ That really hits home after after the passing of James Van Der Beek. You look at James and his family and all this guy wanted was five more minutes with his wife and kids, you know?”

Photo: VanDerBeekIG
Burton continued, “Everything’s perspective. I’m grateful for the show, obviously, it’s been my whole life, and to step away is not always easy. It’s like family there. But, I have a family too. I’m newly married. I want to take a break. I want to live life a little bit and go enjoy. When you get on the hamster wheel of the process of this (working in the soaps), and I’ve been doing it along time, I’m just excited to take a break, spend time with the family, and just go live a little, and be grateful that I have a chance to do that. That’s a gift in itself.”
TIMETABLE FOR RETURN TO GH
“I know, I’ll be back in the summer. I’m sure they’re going to have a great story planned,” confirmed Burton. “My wife Michelle coaches people, and I coach people, and we just see so many people that are going through so many trials and hardships in their life, and we can’t sweat this small stuff. But when you look at guys like James Van Der Beek who just passed you cannot get time back. I’ve been doing this for a long time since I’ve been 15-years-old. That’s 40 years of this.”

Photo: JPI
In addition, Steve took time to address the negative comments he received upon announcing he was taking a break from General Hospital and all the rumors and speculation that came with it. Burton shut down much of it, explaining, “I’m not sick, Michelle’s not pregnant, and I’m coming back in the summer. There you go.”
ADDRESSING THE HATERS
Steve also took a moment to address the haters on social media, explaining, “The craziness that I’ve gotten messages about just taking a break, I can’t even believe these people are allowed to be on social media. It’s so negative and hateful. Like, I just don’t even understand. Let’s get our perspective straight. It’s a blessing to wake up and go, ‘I have no ailments. I feel good. I’m 55. I want to go live a life,” and it’s OK, too.”
You can check out this week’s episode of the That’s Awesome titled appropriately titled, “Gimme a BREAK” below.
Share your thoughts on what Steve explained as to his reason’s for his temporary exit from GH, what story do you think will be awaiting him when he returns and the negative comments he received after announcing his decision to take time off to be with his family, via the comment section below.
Kudos to Steve for being upfront about this. It’s really none of the audience’s business why he wants a break. Just be greatful he’s looking forward to returning in a few months.
Frank should be commended for making breaks happen for long-time performers. Kirsten just came back, Steve will, and now Finola (off contract as of today) when she’s ready.
He desveres the best! ENJOY ENJOY! You deserve it!! We will see you later! Your priorities are right on!
He’s so cute
He was pretty honest in his previous statement(s), but of course, online culture just twists everything and Facebook groups make up continued lies, which confuses many so easily.
It’s a shame that Steve has to defend himself and his desire to take a break from the show to spend time with his wife and children. I respect and applaud his decision to take this extended break.
I am happy that he is returning to GH and will remain on the show.
I did watch the podcast. I thought Steve would make the announcement that he has renewed his contract with GH for another year or two. I’m assuming he did so since he is returning in the summer. I found it interesting that he and Bradford talked about the benefits of being on GH in a recurring status as opposed to a contract role. I might be reading too much into their conversation, but I got the impressio that Steve is weighing the options on staying with GH in a contract role vs recurring. If he the option to stay on in a recurring status, go for it. He can still be on GH and have more free time to spend with his family and pursue his other business ventures. Life is short, do what makes you happy.
Steve ENJOY YOUR TIME OFF
No need to explain to anyone!
See you back in Summer 2022
I just don’t understand people. Just because you’re anonymous doesn’t mean you should be cruel
Honestly, I’ve grown apathetic about the comings and goings of Steve Burton’s Jason. I’m always happy to see him but also know GH will survive just fine without him for a spell of time. As long as they don’t kill Jason off for the third time resulting in Carly and Britt having a grief contest, I’m good.
I take him at hos word. He’ll return
Steve’s family time is great. Rumor said Britt and Jason’s lovestory has bombed. No, the writers cannot write lovestories !! Their chemistry is off the charts in spite of these hateful writers. They only write hate, WSB, and endless storylines !
If he comes back good. If he doesn’t that’s ok too. Hes come and gone alot over the years. There’s other storylines on GH.
I was happy when you returned to GH. Now I am just as happy to know you will be returning to it. Taking a little ‘me time’ is a good thing and it helps you refresh yourself. God speed.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos

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.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Favorite Amanda Setton Talks Brook Lynn and Chase’s Divorce, Jude Jacks, Baby Phoebe, and What’s Next (Exclusive)

On General Hospital, Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) life as she knows it has turned upside down. First, she and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed divorce papers while in the Dominican Republic. As much as they loved each other, they just couldn’t get past all the trust issues between them.
Then, right after that, Jude Jax (Wil Traval) shows up at the Q mansion and demands to see his daughter, baby Phoebe! Brook Lynn is thrown for a complete loop. Is this guy claiming to be the biological father of Delilah Wilson’s daughter, which had been adopted by Brook Lynn and Chase, telling the truth? Brook Lynn is on her way to getting to the bottom of his claims.
Meanwhile, Brook Lynn’s portrayer, Amanda Setton just celebrated her first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination, and in the very competitive Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. While Amanda ultimately did not take home the gold statuette, that honor went to The Young and the Restless’ longtime veteran, Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott), she was in great spirits when Michael Fairman TV caught up with her on the red carpet.

Photo: ABC
THE END OF THE LINE FOR BROOK LYNN AND CHASE
When asked how she felt about Brook Lynn being the first (between her and Chase) to put pen to paper on their divorce papers, Settton recalled, “She did. But I’m like, ‘Did she or did he kind of?’ They did it (both of them).”
Getting a new co-star and cast member can go one of two ways, great or not so great, but Amanda had nothing but high praise for Wil Traval’s entrance and performance as Jude Jacks!
THE ARRIVAL OF JUDE JAX
“Wil Traval is fabulous to work with. His debut was so amazing the other day, wasn’t it? He was just such a force and everybody’s faces and reactions when he says that he’s, ‘Jude Jacks, Jerry’s son.’ It was so good and well-played! Wil’s awesome. I’m excited for what’s to come. We’re going to have a lot of stuff together.”

Photo: ABC
According to Amanda, Brook Lynn will have her hands full in the months to come: “There’s a lot of stuff coming down the pike with Baby Phoebe. Will Chase and Brooklyn work together? Will they not? Is it really Jude’s daughter? Lots of questions!”
GRATITUDE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY HER PEERS
For Setton, being an Emmy nominee meant the world to her, and to finally be acknowledged by her peers in a television career that spanned daytime and primetime including her performances as Kimberly Andrews on One Life to Live. But most importantly for her work in 2025 in the emotional rollercoaster of a story where Brook Lynn learns Gio (Giovanni Mazza) is her biological son.
“It means so much to me,” expressed Amanda. “It really does. I keep using this line, but I really mean it. It feels like a big hug. You know, not everybody who votes for these categories works with you. It’s really a very humbling feeling to know that your work actually touched someone and moved someone enough for them to vote for you. And getting to play the storyline that I got to play was such a privilege. It really was, with the actors I got to play it with. To be a little rewarded for it feels so nice.”
You can check out our chat with Amanda Setton on the red carpet at the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards below. Then make sure to check out all the Michael Fairman Channel red carpet interviews from daytime’s biggest night here.
So, do you think Brook Lynn and Chase will unite to keep baby Phoebe away from Jude Jacks? What do you think of Wil Traval’s performances thus far as Jude? How do you see this story for the custody of baby Phoebe playing out? Were you rooting for Amanda to take home the Supporting Actress gold? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Heather Webber Has Everyone on Edge, Walls Close in on Ava and Drew, Sonny Has a Problem Named ‘Josslyn’

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, Heather Webber (Alley Mills) infiltrates herself back into Port Charles upsetting many a citizen, while Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is making it be known she will not rest till she takes Sonny (Maurice Benard) down, and Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) are now in the hot seat for the murder of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).
In the just released, ABC video spoilers for the action November 9-13, first we see a stare down between Heather and Ava when they finally come to face-to-face.
Next, Felicia (Kristina Wagner) warns Emma (Braedyn Bruner), “You cannot allow Heather Webber to see herself as a victim!” This is juxtaposed with Heather walking into the PCPD interrogation room. Is she going to incriminate Ava and Drew further on the murder of Jack Brennan … or is she there for something else?

Courtesy/ABC
Then, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) tells Joe (Jonathan Bennett), ADA Turner (Nazneen Contractor) and Molly (Kristen Vaganos) that the PCPD has to switch their investigation and put the focus on Ava and Drew.
In the video teaser’s final moments, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) shows up at Sonny’s front door, shouting, “You just keep getting away with everything.” That leads to Sonny to tell Carly (Laura Wright) to get her daughter to back of off him.
Check out the official General Hospital spoilers the week below.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 9
Carly makes her loyalty to Valentin clear. Tristan makes a shocking revelation. Chase comes face to face with Jude. Jason and Alexis strategize. Josslyn flies off the handle.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Jason and Brook Lynn compare notes. Emma confronts Heather. Gio and Trina get a new opportunity. Joe and Molly hit pay dirt. Ava meets Serena.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Sonny issues a warning to Carly. Josslyn opens up to Hudson. Jude stands his ground. Drew tries to reassure Ava. Molly confides in Alexis.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Carly fears Sonny’s wrath. Sonny and Ric form a plan. Alexis makes a bold move. Drew gets a reality check. Lucas reassures Josslyn.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Drew pitches a drastic plan. Liz bends the rules for Dante. Josslyn confronts Jude. Brook Lynn opens up to Gio. Britt issues an invitation.
Now below, check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Getting Away with Everything.”
Then let us know, what do you think Heather Webber is up to? Will Ava and Drew actually take the fall for the death of Jack Brennan? Will Sonny stop Josslyn from taking him down at all costs? Share your thoughts and theories in the comment section.
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