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General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through

By Michael Fairman

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On a recent episode of General Hospital, Jason received a message from his mother, Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) via a note. The effect it had on Jason’s portrayer, Steve Burton turned out to be quite visceral.

As GH fans know, although Jason’s bio-mom was Susan Moore, he was raised and adopted by Monica. Speaking on his Daily Drama podcast with his co-host and GH co-star, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Steve shared some insight on the difficulties he had getting through that scene.

Burton shared that in the key moment, “Brooklyn (played by Amanda Setton) came in and that’s where she gave me (Jason) the letter from Monica. That was a very hard scene for me to do. That was a tough one. That was the one time I was almost going to call ‘cut!’  It read ‘Jason, I believe in you.’ I was literally going to walk off the set.”

Photo: JPI

To clarify and in the story, Monica was saying “I believe in you” and that she knows Jason didn’t shoot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna). Steve added, “It was tough, man. Emotionally, it was a tough scene. It was overwhelming in the moment.”

Steve went on to detail to Anderson, “She (Brook Lynn) pushed it to me and I read it and she was walking out and I had to stop her, but I was so emotional I couldn’t even get it out.  And at that point, I’m like, ‘Do I just keep going … or do I just walk off the set right now?’ But, I knew just to stay, because it’s so hard to get back there, once you shut it down. I knew, the next take wasn’t going to be the same.”

Photo: JPI

It’s clear that Leslie Charleson is so missed on-screen as Monica by all of her castmates, and that Jason and Monica had a very special mother/son relationship throughout the decades on GH.

What did you think of the moment when Jason got a note from Monica that said, “I believe in you?” Were you touched as well? Let us know in the comment section. You can check out the latest episode of Steve and Bradford’s podcast below.

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I’m not sure what he was choked up about; that Leslie Charleson is obviously not well and is no longer on the show? (that’d be understandable.) But that note? I’m thinking that’s not all a mother would say in a note when her son comes back from the dead. How utterly dumb. These writers need to hire writers, lol.

Agree – I wonder if he had to come up with something for the fans and that was it.

Sons coming back from the dead isn’t that big of a deal for Monica anymore. Between AJ & Jason it’s happened a dozen times or so. Now on the other horn, Jason being accused of shooting Sonny’s son? That’s a new one.

LOL; now let them bring back AJ. She can send him the same note. It’d be applicable for AJ’s always uphill battle.

I’ve been waiting all of these years for AJ to return…

He did return and then he and then-head writer, Ron Carlivati and Sean Kanan had a falling out, and he killed AJ off! Ugh; so non professional. Work it out behind-the-scenes; don’t kill off a legacy characters you just brought back!

It wasn’t necessarily a falling out; when Sean Kanan came back, he was told what would/wouldn’t be happening with AJ, which is why he came back. But they focused the story on AJ still being a deadbeat/drunk, and then the scripts began poking fun of Kanan’s weight/body, and he wasn’t happy so he opted to leave. And knowing how vindictive and spiteful the “writer” is, he killed AJ back off as quickly as he brought him back.

I thought it was just right for that moment. It said it all, she loved and believed in him

All she said was she believed in him. There’s no way that was enough. She just found out her son is alive! Brook Lynn should have said something like, Monica isn’t well but she desperately wants to see you; come to the house.” (and then given him the note).

I think his emotion was more a real life reaction to Leslie Charleson and the fact that she obviously has some health issues going on, and can’t be on the show. He’s worked with her for 33 years, longer than 95% of the current cast, so it’s understandable he would miss her and be thinking of her during a scene like that.

They clearly wanted to address Monica’s absence and offer an explanation for why she hasn’t been around, and did the best they could without Leslie being available to do a voiceover or anything. They could have had Jason have a one way phone conversation with Monica, but I think a simple but meaningful note had much more impact. And you don’t need to send a full page note to convey what needed to be conveyed, under the assumption that Jason and Monica would have an in person reunion at some point, in theory anyway.

Acknowledging that Monica still exists, even in the form of a short note, is a lot more than previous writing team bothered to do over the past few years. I think the new writers are doing just fine.

We’ll have to “agree to disagree. I think the way they’re handling Leslie Charleson’s absence passed absurd a long time ago. For over two years we’re supposed to believe she was never available: not when Willow was dying, not when Willow and Michael got married, not at Epiphany or Britt’s memorial, not the entire time Ned was Eddie Maine, not for Amelia’s birth, not when Tracy came back. I think they had a couple of options they could have gone with; a definitive that Monica had taken a job as Chief of Staff or Cardiology out of the country, OR, she passed. Or, recast, which I know at this point would be hard to accept and would be a challenge (I, too, am a long time viewer), but having to play make believe in this make believe world is stretching it. Tracy pretending to talk to her on the phone to tell her she’ll see her at home is ridiculous. They need (in my opinion) to make a decision. The Quartermaine house is bare of actual Quartermaines; in my opinion they should find a way to bring AJ back from the dead again and keep him this time, bring back Dillon, and possibly Skye and Lila Rae. Fill up that house with people we went through the years with; (those of us who watched back in the day) because as it stands now there’s not much of anything about the Quartermaines left. And as much as I ADORE Jane Elliott as Tracy and hope she remains with the show to the end, they’ve watered her down too much. Without Monica to snark with or AJ to belittle, without Ned around…sigh. They need to bring back who they can. I wish for many reasons Leslie would return, but I think at this point we know that’s not going to happen.

I would love to have Dylan back. I loved the character and how the actor portrayed him.

And I’ve been waiting since AJ allegedly died for everyone to find out that he isn’t actually dead.

But, as to Monica – I agree that she should be written out of the script in a believable way at this point. Taking a new job elsewhere doesn’t seem believable at her age. Who knows? Maybe they are waiting for just the right time to announce that Monica is deceased. Geeze — the writers have had to do this many times when the actors really did die suddenly. They can figure something out.

Could they be waiting for Brook Lynn’s wedding to be over?

OMG, really sick of all the angst over Monica. Couldn’t Sasha or.whomever just bring her, her morning breakfast tray and have.her be passed away? Very plausible as well as believable I think the rest would just fall into place.. As far as Brook Lynn, maybe you mean someone else? She’s been married quite a while now.

It is from my understanding, the decision to not recast the role of Monica is a mutual decision between Leslie Charleson & the serial/network. Her [brief] return, via phone calls and then those two-episodes, were kind of a “goodbye” should she be unable to return, and it allows her to be the last remaining actor in the role.

The note was short and covered the sentiment perfectly. Obviously LC was not able to do a voiceover of a longer message, so why make the viewers read or have Jason read aloud? GH has to carefully decide how to mention longterm characters when the performer is unable to appear. They’re not going to recast Audrey, Monica or Mac as those actors have spent 30-40+ years building those characters.

Kudos to Steve for playing that scene quite well. And good job writers for a plausible reason for Monica’s absence.

Very well said. Shows GH respects legacy actors / characters.

LOL; it has nothing to do with “respecting legacy actors/characters.”

If only a two absence could be said…

Toxic.. always toxic .

Ridiculous. We suspend our disbelief when we watch any show, right? I can sooner suspend my disbelief when a character comes back from the dead that have a mom who thought her son was dead and found out he wasn’t just write, “I believe in you,” It was uninspired, lazy writing from the writers. Those words could have been at the end of the letter; not the only words.

I wish we would see more of Mac. He’s hardly over-the-hill.

I’ve been wondering about Audrey. She isn’t mentioned anymore — that I’ve heard — nor do I recall any mention of Audrey’s death. Rachel Ames is 94 after all.

Anna Lee (Lila) kept working until Anna’s death at the age of 91 — and then it was announced (on the show) that Lila had died peacefully in her sleep.

I entirely agree with your assessment, I was wondering what to comment , and you said it for me and a lot of others I bet, short and sweet and to the point, without a long, drawn out essay.

I so miss seeing Monica on the show. She was my now deceased partner’s favorite character.

I loved her as well. Especially miss her and Alan alot. I feel so bad that she is sick and not on anymore. Wishing and c hoping 4 her health to improve. Getcwell leslieakaMonica quartermaine

Killing off Alan Q years ago was unbelievably insane. Stuart Damon was as shocked as the viewers were. What a horrible, horrible, decision.

I signed off do not watch any of them now I guess I don’t read recaps but my heart breaks for John York etc I have had cancer it is a horrible thing I pray he comes thru this

Kay
John York, who has played Mac since 1991 has been going through a challenging health period and has been unable to be on the show since November. Let’s all hope he can return soon.

Rachel Ames retired from acting shortly after she went off contract. Frank was able to get her back for 2 episodes around 10 years ago. Elizabeth occasionally mentions her, but not as much as she used to.

According to her son, Anna Lee was devastated when the previous EP cut her contract which her son claims led to her passing. Not a great way to treat a longtime valued cast member.

Maybe the “Note” was real, from Leslie Charlson to Steve Burton. That would surely throw Steve/Jason for a loop!

That was one of the most heart felt messages any son could get from a mom I wish they would show many of this scene.

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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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