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GH Head Writers Confirm Erika Slezak’s Arrival Comes On the Heels of Monica Quartermaine’s Death

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: JPI

When the news broke this summer that six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki, One Life to Live) was headed to General Hospital in an undisclosed role, soap fans jumped for joy, that this iconic actress would be seen this fall on the canvas in Port Charles.

While many first speculated that she might be reprising her role as Viki, that soon became apparent that wouldn’t be the case especially after Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight) found a letter addressed to Monica that held some important information that we have yet to fully revisit.

Now comes word from General Hospital co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten, that indeed Slezak’s arrival will be timed with the death of Monica Quartermaine, when the long-running soap opera pays tribute to the late Leslie Charleson, who passed away earlier this year on January 12.

Photo: ABC

Speaking with TV Insider in the new fall preview for General Hospital, Korte and Van Etten shared, “Monica’s death will devastate the Quartermaines, none more than Jason (Steve Burton) and Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot). The family will come together with much of Port Charles to say goodbye to a woman who was an integral part of the community for nearly 50 years. For most, it will be an occasion for mourning and togetherness; but for a few, it will mark an opportunity to be seized. Into all this steps Erika Slezak’s character, who arrives bearing surprising connections to the Quartermaine clan and mysterious ties to others on the canvas.”

Photo: JPI

The head scribes also shared, “We’re in hock big time to executive producer Frank Valentini for coaxing Erika Slezak to come west and play with our cast. She’s a class act and a powerhouse. We can’t wait to see how her character challenges the status quo in Port Charles.”

Back on June 12th, Erika Slezak’s official website, shared the news that the veteran actress was coming to GH noting, “Erika has just informed us she has signed a short-term contract with ABC’s General Hospital. Erika will be playing a new character and will begin taping her episodes in September. At this time, Erika does not know which character she will be playing or when her scenes will air, but is excited to be working again with Executive Producer Frank Valentini and the cast of GH!”

So, excited to know that Erika will arrive as her new GH characters during the passing of Monica Quartermaine? How do you think she will shake up the Q clan? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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I cannot wait for the one and only Erika Slezak to come to GH. “Into all this steps Erika Slezak’s character, who arrives bearing surprising connections to the Quartermaine clan and mysterious ties to others on the canvas.” That is very intriguing. Whatever they come up with, I hope the material truly utilizes Erika and pays proper respect to the late Leslie Charleson.

I also hope they do justice to Leslie Charleson, Denise Alexander and Tristan Rogers with fitting tributes to the deaths of Monica Quartermaine, Lesley Webber & Robert Scorpio.

Both Lesley Webber and Robert Scorpio have not passed on GH

Monica’s death impacts many on the canvas while driving story. It sets up the long anticipated plot of who gets the mansion.

For Lesley, while she’s a treasured long term character, her death only impacts Laura. Hopefully, there’s an episode where Laura reminisces and they have flashbacks with the mother and daughter.

If/When they choose to have Robert die, that would require getting Emma Samms, Sofia Mattson, and Kimberly McCullough back for a few episodes. Will also need to wait until Maxie returns and her storyline wraps.

Hope this is more than 3 or 4 episodes

Totally agree Michael. I know Erika Slezak is an east coast person; but, I hope she can stay on GH for a least a few months. Having her on GH is a big deal. I can’t wait.

I was hoping they keep Monica alive. She and Tracy could fight for who is the matriarch of the family. You should keep the character alive and Erica will be a great Monica Quartermaine.

That would be soap opera blasphemy

Agreed. You don’t recast someone who had the role for over 45 years.

Erika is only taking a short-term role.

Sorry, but I’m bothered she’s not Viki. ABC won the rights back to all the characters from AMC and OLTL after that mess with Prospect Park was settled and the network hasn’t even bothered to utilize that victory. I thought sure we would see some of our favorites pop up from both shows.

As much as I do NOT want OLTL characters on GH (the 2012 invasion still turns my stomach) I would almost prefer a brief appearance of her Viki character, compared to these rumors of Monica suddenly having a “sister” who was never mentioned before.

I’m getting ReRon flashbacks here, from when he used the death of two legends on Days of Our Lives to introduce cartoonish characters that added nothing of value to the show. One of them being an “old friend” of Victor Kiriakis who turned out to be an enemy, and the other an alleged namesake grandson of Doug Williams, whose first act was to steal a diamond necklace from his grandfather’s family. His last act was to give it back, and did absolutely nothing worth remembering in between.

OLTL never aired down here, so I have no attachment to any characters or stories from that show. But I think we can say honestly, after multiple attempts to make Roger Howarth and Michael Easton part of GH have failed, that it seems to be a losing strategy to bring these folks on board. Not to mention a certain AMC transplant who is dragging the entire show down into a sewer, even as we speak.

That “certain AMC transplant” has surprised many with his take on swarmy villainy. The show is in a much better place this year than last.

I can guarantee that Erika Slezak won’t be cartoony.

I fully agree but will add… would it not be easier for ABC to relaunch a version of OLTL rather than trying to work them into GH ?

I wish they would just keep Monica upstairs or at a conference or something & not kill her off. I love the way they mention her almost daily. Makes me really think she’s upstairs!

I totally agree with you

Agreed they really need to do this

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Tanisha Harper Opens Up About Being a Recast for the Role of Jordan Ashford

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On General Hospital, Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) is having her own crisis to deal with since the accident that scarred and disfigured her face. In addition, the man she loves, Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) was just hauled into the PCPD for punching out Dr. Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson). Curtis is determined to put the blame on Dr. Gannon for being the driver of the other car.

Such is the drama that Tanisha Harper is currently involved in on the long-running ABC daytime drama. Harper sat down with hosts Rebecca Budig (Taylor, The Bold and the Beautiful) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, Days of Our Lives) for the latest edition of their Soapy podcast which dropped on Tuesday.

As GH fans know, there have been a total of four actresses to play the role of Jordan. Vinessa Antoine (2014–2018), Briana Nicole Henry (2018–2021): Tiffany Daniels (2021) who temporarily filled-in for Henry while she was recovering from Covid-19, and Tanisha Harper (2022- present).

Photo: CBS/Soapy

FINOLA HUGHES WAS A BIG CHEERLEADER FOR TANISHA

Tanisha recalls her screen-test for the role which was actually with Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Finola Hughes (Anna): “They were wonderful. I just adore Finola.  I remember when I had finished one of the scenes, and I think we were doing another scene, or another take in a different way, and she was like, “You got this. You’re gonna get this.”  She was so positive, so great, and just so lovely and it made me feel so good.”

BECOMING THE NEXT JORDAN ASHFORD

In addition, Harper shared how she really didn’t know what part she actually would be playing till shortly before her first day on set. “There were two other Jordans, and then there was another girl before me and Brianna,” she detailed. “Initially, I didn’t know that was the role I was going for. So I thought it was for the district attorney. Once I had booked the job, I think about a week before when they sent the script to me, they’re like, ‘You’re going to be playing the character Jordan.’ Even though she been played by two other girls, they didn’t want me to go in and try to emulate how the other girls did their performances. They just wanted me make it my own, and do my own thing.  I think that helped. I didn’t really know anything about the character at all, and it was kind of hard at the time to see online other people’s performances. So, I was forced to make the character my own.”

Photo: ABC

JORDAN’S INSIDE JOB TO TAKE DOWN SIDWELL

Recently, Jordan went back to using her undercover skills to infiltrate Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) organization and get the dirt on his crimes. As she explained her character’s current plight, “Jordan decided to take it upon herself to go undercover to get this bad guy Sidwell, who’s come into town. So I resign from my position, and now my character has been working for him undercover, but he’s a very wealthy man. So my character, she was enjoying that life. She’s all of a sudden walking around with her fancy bags and her cars, but she’s still undercover. Now, Jordan was in a big car accident and now her face is all scarred.” Viewers need to stay tuned-in to GH to see what happens next!

Watch the full conversation with Tanisha on her visit to the Soapy podcast below.

Now weigh-in, do you think Jordan will eventually get the goods on Sidwell, or is she useless in this situation? Will she wind up needing Sidwell to get her to some specialist to help remove the scars on her face? What do you think about Tanisha’s process to becoming the recast Jordan? Let us know in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Emma Wants to Save Anna, Isaiah’s Career is All But Destroyed, Joe Makes an Arrest

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The Monday, May 18 episode of General Hospital brought with it a startling discovery, a new reality for one surgeon, a new cop on the scene, and a granddaughter determined to protect her grandmother.

First, Laura (Genie Francis) tells Mac (John J. York) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) that Anna (Finola Hughes) is in worse trouble than she was previously after she had Kevin to check on her while he was in Europe. They head out to update Emma (Braedyn Bruner) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner).

Meanwhile, Emma gets upset over Anna during a discussion with Felicia and breaks Anna’s favorite coffee cup. Emma is overcome with sadness and cries, trying to figure out how she is supposed to be so happy with Gio (Giovanni Mazza), while Anna is locked away somewhere against her own will.

Courtesy/ABC

BAD NEWS FOR EMMA

Laura and Mac arrive to talk with Emma and Felicia, and reveal how Anna escaped and made it to the border, but she was now in the custody of the French authorities and they are transferring her to a long term mental illness facility, which freaks out Emma just as Gio arrives. Emma runs into his arms. Laura says at this point, Anna needs a strong advocate and she will make a call on her behalf. (But to who?)

At the Metro Court pool, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is arrested by Detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) after throwing a punch at Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson). Joe takes Curtis to the station where Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) tells Fitzgerald to remove Curtis’ handcuffs. Now inside the interrogation room, Curtis explains that he believes Isaiah left he and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) dead at the side of the road the night of the accident and provoked him.

BROKEN HAND, BROKEN MAN

Curtis just wants to put it all behind him and says he will pay for Isaiah’s medical bills, but Dante informs him, he is trouble and he needs to call a lawyer. So, he calls Jordan. Meanwhile, Isaiah gets looked at while at General Hospital, and his hand is messed up. He comes to learn he will need multiple surgeries not only for broken bones but two tendons were severed in the process. Isaiah realizes his surgical days are numbered possibility forever, if not for a very long time.

JOSSLYN FINDS ANNA’S MESSAGE

While being held hostage, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) tries again to convince Cassius (Ryan Paevey) to set her free. That leads into the two playing cards and Cassius asking Josslyn how she got into the WSB. Josslyn admits her boyfriend was murdered and she killed the person who was the culprit for retribution. She says she put together all the pieces that he did the crime, and now this line of work gives her purpose.

In the shocking final moments, after Cassius leaves for the night, Josslyn heads to the cot in the other part of the holding room and sees a hand-carved message on the wall from Anna that she was there and help captive on October 31, 2025.  We fade to black.

So what did you think of the concern Emma showed for Anna, and the performance of Braedyn Bruner? What are your very initial impressions of Jonathan Bennett as Joe Fitzgerald? Which character is annoying you more in the story …  Curtis, Jordan, Portia or Isaiah? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Detective Fitzpatrick is on the Scene, Nina Has to Silence Jack, Josslyn Needs an Escape Route

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital investigations, protection modes and conflict are the order of the day. In the just released ABC promo for the soap opera entitled “Held Captive,” first Lulu (Alexa Havins) is preparing to flea the country with Rocco (Finn Carr) if necessary including having passports ready and their bags packed.

However, with Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) having full-knowledge of Rocco shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and his own desire and plan to keep his son safe right in Port Charles, he firmly tells Lulu,“You will make my son a fugitive over my dead body!”

Meanwhile, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is trying to find a way out of captivity and as she moves her bed she finds a shocking message,“Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) was held captive here. I was taken on 10-31-25.” Suddenly, Josslyn is so panicked and determined. She tells herself she is going to get out of there. Next, we see her smashing a chair into someone’s face! Can she find a way out? Will Cassius (Ryan Paevey) be waiting for her to throw her back in?

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL SPOILERS

Nina (Cynthia Watros) is getting all jittery again, as it appears she has gone back into Jack Brennan’s (Chris McKenna) hospital room and is ready to inject him with another secret dose of the medication to keep him in a paralytic state, after she accidentally jabbed him during his brawl with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart). As viewers know, that dose of the drug meant to keep Drew in a locked-in state. However, now Jack starts to move!

In addition, General Hospital welcomes Jonathan Bennett to the cast as PCPD Detective Joe Fitzpatrick, and in key moment he is seen at the police station. As to just what Joe will be up to? Well, in an additional newly released clip featuring Bennett in his debut episode on Monday, it’s clear that Detective Fitzpatrick is looking into Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Isaiah’s (Sawandi Wilson) altercation at the Metro Court Pool when he says, “What are the chances Ashford talks his way out of an arrest? Curtis Ashford seems to be a very powerful guy around here. The kind of guy that’s used to getting a way with stuff.”

Take a look below at the official GH spoilers for the week of May 18-22.

MONDAY, MAY 18
Police detective Joe Fitzpatrick is called to arrest one of Port Charles’s own. Laura delivers an update about Anna. Joss makes a grim discovery. Jordan presses Justine about Sonny. Emma opens up to Felicia.

TUESDAY, MAY 19
Valentin pitches a new plan. Gio supports Emma. Rocco is frustrated. Dante sets Joe straight. Curtis briefs Jordan.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Alexis seeks assistance from Ava. Ethan makes a promise to Lulu. Britt makes a big decision. Valentin and Carly clash. Nina gets a shock.

THURSDAY, MAY 21
Alexis wants answers. Ethan pays a visit to Tracy. Dante summons “Nathan.” Britt has new reason to worry. Lulu prepares to make her move.

FRIDAY, MAY 22
Sonny and Ric compare notes. Willow delivers good news. Britt shares intel. Laura’s reaction surprises Lulu. “Nathan” makes a plea.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo and a preview clip of Jonathan Bennett’s first episode as Joe Fitzpatrick below.

Now weigh-in: Since Josslyn will knows Anna was also held captive by Sidwell and company, how will she make her escape plan? Do you think Lulu and Rocco will go on the run? Will Jack come to and the jig will be up for Nina, or will the two reach some deal to keep him quiet from tattling on her? And, are you enthusiastic about the debut of Jonathan Bennett? Let us know in the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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