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