Breaking News
Steve Burton Announces He’s Taking a Break from ‘General Hospital’
General Hospital star Steve Burton confirmed on February 10 that he has decided to step away from his role of Jason Morgan to focus on his family, but for a short hiatus.
Taking to his Instagram on Tuesday morning, the two-time Daytime Emmy winner explained, “Hey everyone, I wanted to share that I’ll be taking a short break from General Hospital. “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family. I’m grateful for all the support and will be back this summer. Much love.”
Burton cleverly chose the Simple Minds song, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” to accompany his Instagram message. As Burton’s fans know, he tied the knot with his lady love chef and content creator Michelle Lundstrom back on May 17, 2025.

Photo: ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital offered up this statement on Burton’s departure to Soap Opera Digest: “We love Steve and I am glad the show worked it out so he can get some personal time with his family. We have some great Jason story leading up to spring and look forward to his return in the summer.”
Burton taped his last episode for now on Friday, February 6. The show is set to go on a two-week hiatus. With GH taping several weeks ahead of air, viewers will still see Jason in the thick of his current story trying to save Anna (Finola Hughes) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and bring down Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and Sidwell (Carlo Rota).
On Monday’s February 9 episode, Jason learned of Anna’s supposed mental breakdown and believes the WSB baddies have something to do with her condition. Meanwhile, Jason and Britt finally have become closer. Could something happen to Jason again, where he disappears off the canvas for several months, or could GH go by way of how they handled Kristen Storms temporary leave, when Maxie was put into a coma? In an ironic twist, as Kirsten Storms returns on-screen this week on February 12, we soon will say a temporary goodbye to Steve Burton.
COMING AND GOING FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL
This is not the first time Steve has left General Hospital. Having debuted back on 1991 as Jason Quartermaine during his initial run, when it came to signing a new contract in 1999, he decided not to sign on the dotted line at that time. He later came back full-time in May of 2002. Then, in 2012, he exited again and eventually made his way to The Young and the Restless to take on the role of Dylan McAvoy in 2013. He later returned to GH in 2017, but wound up exiting again at the end of 2021, due to the Disney/ABC Covid vaccine policy that had been implemented.
After heading to Days of our Lives for a few years, when the dust settled with the Covid pandemic, Steve announced his comeback on the January 4, 2024 special General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars & Storytelling, and was first seen on air on March 4 of that year. He has stayed with the series since that time.
What are your thoughts on Steve Burton taking an extended break until this summer? What do you think, given his desire for some time away, they will do with the character of Jason Morgan? Will he disappear? Be injured? Something else? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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Hope he has a great break. Maybe he will be caught in some cold fusion experiment and he is frozen in some unknown side affect… then he could re- emger with the same affect Nathan is in…
Since it appears they had some time to plan this, let’s hope the writers think of a clever way to usher Jason off the canvas. No coma (used too much recently) nor assumed death (been there, done that twice). Maybe something happens to Danny where Jason feels he needs to get him out of Port Charles for a while?
This also frees some money in Frank’s budget for 4 months. Use that to thoroughly rework some sets (MC dining room, Windermere).
Yes, exactly. No more comas or fake death. They need to come up with something more interesting.
keep it simple how bout Jason takes off with Danny to be with/Jake and spend sometime with his kids. Wasn’t Finola Hughes off for a while to ? they sure kept her off the air for a while with her kidnap saga, and is Jason gonna disappear for a while? does this mean this Faison storyline is winding down? I sure hope so,
Here we go again. Maybe he marries Britt and they take a long honeymoon.
Good! I will never miss him
Hopefully it’s nothing serious
Maybe the new wife wants a baby Baby making times
He could do that on a coffee break lol
I hope he’s pretaped some episodes, much like Finola Hughes did before her recent vacation, so his absence isn’t as bad as it could be.
Because we all saw what GH can turn into when Jason’s not around, like that toilet spiral of a show that existed from November 2021 – March 2024.
Hopefully they will come up with a viable reason for his absence, and not bother with another “presumed death” story, because nobody’s going to buy that again.
I hope he’s pretaped some episodes, much like Finola Hughes did before her recent vacation, so his absence isn’t as bad as it could be.
Given everything I have read online today, it sounds like this is what’s been done. Because, otherwise, other storylines would pause.
Let’s hope they had him pre-tape material so his absence won’t be so noticeable. I really hope they aren’t going with the missing and presumed dead gag again.
We’ll likely see Jason on screen through the end of March or first week of April as Burton’s last tape day was last Friday (2/6).
Frank or Steve would’ve mentioned pre-taping. Burton’s 2-year contract ends next month (he returned in March 2024). Similar to Kirsten Storms, he’ll likely be off-contract until his return in the summer, thus saving on the show’s production budget.
Good we can see more of Fizz instead!
Please…NO Coma….NO death…NO hostage holding. Please just don’t show him for a while. There are many characters on GH to fill the airtime. Please don’t waste out time with one of these stupid types of stories where we know the end game already. Let him enjoy his time with his family and allow us to continue GH’s story without being insulted by a lame exit.
I am so happy for Steve and his family ! He is a newlywed, let him enjoy it !! Nothing is more important than family. Everything else can be replaced !! See you in the summer ☀️
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order
In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7. That’s when Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, also known as beloved Santa Barbara supercouple, Cruz and Eden, will participate in a global two-hour streaming event where they will be in conversation together for the first time in years.
The last time A and Marcy appeared publicly together was back in August of 2024, when both stars were in attendance at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara. Now, host Melissa Braverman, who has also penned the upcoming book, Santa Barbara: The Complete Story, will moderate this special event beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
Fans around the world who continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Santa Barbara will be able to watch Braverman lead an intimate discussion with the actors and go behind the iconic characters of Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell.

Photo: JPI
In a statement, Braverman shared, “A Martinez and Marcy Walker didn’t just play a couple. They created a cultural phenomenon that resonated across continents. This event is a rare opportunity for fans to hear directly from A and Marcy about their chemistry, their favorite storylines, and the lasting impact of the show’s unique storytelling.”
She added, “A and Marcy’s partnership as Cruz and Eden was unforgettable. Bringing them together for a dedicated conversation about their SB journey is a true event, and a testament to their enduring appeal and the sheer popularity of the characters they created.”
The exclusive event will feature: a moderated discussion exploring the actors’ favorite memories from the Santa Barbara set. Behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s most famous location shoots and dramatic arcs, and a Q&A session where ticket holders can submit questions in advance to the stars.
Martinez, currently starring in AMC’s hit series Dark Winds is known for his multi-decade TV and film career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1990 for his portrayal of Cruz. In the soaps, A has also appeared on General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives and The Bay. Walker, whose unforgettable daytime run began as Liza Colby on All My Children before her definitive turn on Santa Barbara, took home the Outstanding Lead Actress honors in 1989 for her work as Eden Capwell.
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion are $100, and registration is open now. For additional event information, visit Melissa’s author page on Facebook or www.melissabraverman.com.
So, if you are a Santa Barbara fan and one of the unforgettable Cruz and Eden, does this sound like the event for you? Let us know, and share your favorite Santa Barbara moment and storyline of Cruz and Eden’s via the comment section, But first, in case you missed it, the Michael Fairman Channel shared the arrivals at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara in this video below.
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