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GH Head Writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor Reveal More Details On Michael E. Knight’s New Soap Role

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

When daytime favorite Michael E. Knight debuts on General Hospital on September 30th, he will not be coming to Port Charles as his former All My Children alter-ego Tad Martin; but instead will be playing a different character.

EW.com has first look photo of Knight in his new role and spoke directly to General Hospital co-head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor for the scoop on the ever-popular Knight’s return to ABC.  On GH. Michael will indeed play a new role.

According to the scribes: “There are a number of people in Port Charles who are in trouble and his character will have an impact on how their stories are solved or further complicated.”

Both Van Etten and O’Connor shared: “As we were writing his character, we found out that oh, we have even more use for him! It’s helpful to know who the actors are in this situation. We have lots of ideas on how we can expand his character and cross-pollinate his character.”

As to how long Knight will be sticking around Port Charles, that was not offered-up, but what was is that Michael’s new character will mix it up with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) with whom Knight worked with on All My Children when James played Will Cortlandt.

Because ABC now has the rights back in their possession to use the characters from One Life to Live and All My Children, Van Etten expressed: “We have conversations when we have these actors come back about whether it’s more useful or not to resurrect their characters. “=We’ll continue to have these as the opportunity arises.”

So, what do you think Michael E. Knight’s role will be based on these tidbits from the GH scribe? Share your theories via the comment section below.

 

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Would have been better off bringing on Tad Martin. Sorry, but I am still smarting after all these years on the cancellations of AMC and OLTL and want to see the actors brought onto GH to reprise their former soap roles.

I’m with you, James—–as far as I’m concerned I don’t find GH all that great, comparatively speaking……Especially now with these quixotic storylines and characters. Comedy of Errors….. with Drew/Franco as Dromio of Ephesus……

It’s not really healthy to STILL be “smarting” after all these years. I miss Johnny Carson, but time moves on – and so should you.

Well if Cady Mclain would have been chosen as Nina this would have been perfect

Oh, my gosh, Tony!!
Why didn’t I think of Cady? She would be the perfect Nina—-I don’t know how much longer I can take nuNina ( can’t even think of her name—scary eyes).
Secondly, two birds with one stone—-Tad and Dixie reunited…….and Valentin her brother?? LOL.

I agree, NuNina is a bust! I gave her a chance but she has NO chemistry with Valentin, Sasha or even Jax!

Hi, T,
I have not had time to breathe these last couple of weeks….I’m teaching full time—I’m off sick ( cold–cough)—-missed you, my friend.
Tell me about it—-nuNina is trying too hard. I have been bitten by the Stafford bug—she is the original Phyllis and Nina—-very rarely do re-casts live up to the original—
The Nina/Sasha story was explained away with the notion thst Sasha strikingly resembled Nina—well, no more!! There goes that… They are as physically different as night and day.
Nevertheless, I think that Sasha really is Nina’s daughter, after-all…..would be an ironic twist, if only these writers would have an original idea and a Shakesperean imagination. I see no suspense; no comedy, no artful, dramatic tension offered by our soaps of yesteryear. The courtroom debacle can only exist in la-la-land—-This is a trial? The perpetrator becomes the victim? I guess it’s supposedly a device to create anger and stir the viewer’s sense of unfairness? Not working for me.
Here I go with my ranting again, LOL.
Later, Timmmy❤️

Get well and get some rest!

Hey there, CeeCeeGirl! Welcome back……you’ve been missed! Hope you feel better soon! Incidentally, I cannot agree with you more that Cady would have made an excellent Nina recast…actually better than the original in my opinion! Hah!…(Oddly enough, I had always envisioned her as Nina from the moment Silas first mentioned his so-called saintly wife way back when, and I also suggested her as the perfect replacement to fill that role when we bandied about possible candidates to play NuNina…) What can I say? Great minds think alike….although not always! I guess I’m one of the few not even remotely excited over Knight’s upcoming GH stint…I couldn’t stand Tad, and so to see his portrayer coming to Port Charles leaves me less than impressed. Seems that’s just me though….Lol. Later, mia amica!

What if he played Jeff Webber

Hi Celia,
Welcome back, you’ve been missed by many. I told Shay a few days ago that I was a little worried, that I had not heard from you since M.V.I figured you were back teaching and so busy with your own kids as well. Sorry you haven’t been feeling well.I am a big fan of Vitamin D -3 and take 2000IU daily. Have not had a cold in years, knock, knock. I have some news to share with you, and as I told Shay, it is amazing how small this world is.I was notified by Ancestry DNA that I have a relative living in NY. Turned out, she is a niece living in Sag Harbor, where she and her husband own an Italian restaurant. I could not believe it. Right away I thought of you and the possibility of you dining there. My, my such excitement for this old lady, huh? I know we are of track and should be soap talking. I am so ready for Michael to get his baby .Hopefully that little one will let go of the thing that’s always in his mouth. Poor kid is uncomfortable with all the handling.I wonder when Nelle comes into play. I had read she escapes also, to keep Shiloh away from Wylie. How are you liking Robert as DA? He hasn’t done much yet. I too would have liked Cady M. as Nina. I even liked her on Y&R when she was seducing Jack away from Phyllis. Well, feel better, hope to hear from you.

Hello, Miss Violet,
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness…..
I’ve had a pretty rough week.
I thought I had left ear infections behind me in my childhood……hadn’t had one in eighteen years, as a teen. Go figure—I have vertigo, from an ear imbalance. …much better now.
I am getting very frustrated with GH—too messed up and incoherent—-has no flow!! This Peter thing just popped up out of nowhere—–but, I guess it’s not much of a surprise considering his sire. I am not even convinced Anna is his mother—-more like Alex.
I have missed a few eps—will catch up tonight, albeit halfheartedly—-Shiloh, Peter, Franco, Sonny, Sam, Carly, Nina—-practically all the cast—even Bobbi—–all getting on my last nerve.
Have a great day—little chilly this morning —-here I go battling traffic!!
Soom, my friend. Stay well. ❤️

Hi Celia
Hope you are feeling better by now. Those infections can really drag on.Well at least we are rid of Shiloh, now to deal with the aftermath.Can’t wait for the autopsy, showing whether that flare actually killed him or something or someone else did.Is Lulu really going to blurt out her eavesdropping info, breaking her daughter’s heart about her beloved papa? Certainly there could have been a better way.
Glad you are feeling better, now keep it that way, o.k?
Oh, I wonder if you would want your kids going to a bar, mornings before school, or would you meet your students there? That whole thing really bugs me. Am I just being old fashioned?

i have had that cold/cough for two weeks now…also being checked for other problems…why i have rarely been here

Awwww….get well soon, Jimh! (And “Double C,” too!) It’s a lot less fun around here when the two of you aren’t regularly posting! As for your suggestion that Knight play “Jeff Webber?” Even though I would love for Liz’s daddy to visit Port Charles, I don’t think that Knight is age appropriate for that particular role. Keep in mind that originally Jeff was mentioned to be a “tad” (no pun intended…) younger than Monica….thus, I somehow cannot picture “Tad the Cad” as Dr. Quartermaine’s ex! Lol….

On Edge Of Night Nicole went from 40ish to 20ish with a recast so a younger Jeff why not…..anyway wish he was Tad…i think Gordon Thompson would make an ok Jeff

@Jim…I would love to see Gordon Thomson on GH, although I’m not so sure as Jeff! Dynasty’s former Adam has such an elegant, sophisticated vibe, whereas Jeff was much more laidback and casual…I would prefer someone who better captures the essence of Richard Dean Anderson as a Jeff recast. Quite frankly, GT would have made an excellent Cassadine! I suppose it’s not too late to make that happen…

Hope you’re feeling better, Jimmy—-I hardly ever get sick—got me “but good”. LOL. For some reason cough syrup upsets my stomach——so, I had to weather it cold turkey…. pardon the pun. HaHa….
Glad to see you peeking in ( as I do) once in a while.
As far as Michael Knight possibly cast as Jeff, I am not familiar with him at all—-except from references made on the GH sites, now and again.
I would think Michael is too young to play Lizzie’s father; but, this is Soapland—-Sam and Julian are less than ten years apart, I believe—so, age is irrelevant.
You may be right. What I don’t like is bringing in new characters, especially someone as well known and beloved ( at least, that’s how I perceive him) as Michael, for a short sojourn……I am anxious to see exactly what his role will be.
Well, Jimmy—I will truly be looking forward to hear you are feeling yourself again—-among other things—-next time you post. ❤️

i havent been well in three years but recently more problems popped up

I remember, Jimmy—-you had Barrett’s Esophagus? Protonix works very well—-however, all this new science comes along with negative reviews ( Gastric carcinoma)….makes one’s head spin. What to do??
I try to stay away from meds, even the over-the-counter offerings. Dependable ‘drugs’, for sinus, headaches etc. have consequences, if abused….
Take it easy, my friend—hang in there. I hope you have a good, caring and patient doctor. It makes a big difference to your well-being and state of mind.
I do hope to hear from you. I miss your take on plots, characters and which path a storyline should take. ❤️

Agreed bring back Kady

I propose two choices—–Michael will either play the lawman or the outlaw. Either way, all the baddies in PC ( and its outreach) will have something in common—-Faison and Helena.
I pray Michael is a good guy….love him to pieces…
I anticipate the ousting of Kim, Shiloh, Peter, Julian , Brad and maybe Franco—-not sure yet (Did I forget anyone?). None of them is to be absolved.

i Would had cast him as Liz’s father Jeff

Congrats to Mr. Knight and his return to daytime! Waiting to see what the new writing team can bring to the GH canvas. I still support bringing back OLTL and All My Children as a 1/2 each lead-in for GH. GMA Day needs to be cancelled, as it is dragging down the ratings for GH. ABC Daytime–wake up!

They needed to bring him back as Tad Martin so when #AMC makes a comeback he could step right back into that role

HAVE to say that I agree with Ellen, it would be great if he could join the show as TAD MARTIN visiting from Pine Valley….it could then have him saying something like “I still have unfinished business in Pine Valley….” and help serve as a Lead-in to the show’s re-launching. I know that there is a lot of talk about bringing back ALL MY CHILDREN and this would help support that.

Love your idea. I basically had told someonethe something but in a different way. Bring back #AMC and #OLTL. There is greeting way to many talk shows and court shows inn tv any more

Lets just hope GH uses him better than Y&R!

Shouldn’t we has a WOMAN head writer also? Tell me, don’t we need a woman’s point of view on GH–BADLY??????????????

@Nancy…Instead, how about a head writer who actually respects and mines the rich legacy of GH by implementing modern-day characters and storylines that honor that history? That’s what is really missing from this soap in its current state!!! Good writing is good writing, no matter the particular chromosomal aspects of the person from whom the words emanate!!!

Can we have an interesting, dynamic character that already knows who he is–and has not had a memory transplant–oh, the horror!

I agree, Nancy. GH is one un-HOLY mess right now. Why did Howarth’s Drew turn out to be such a selfish, son-of-a-bitch when Miller’s Drew was a kind and heroic man? Right now, I detest Franco/Drew. He’s a selfish, callous creep.

Agreed, Harry—I also regale Kim with those same colorful words, ….true description of Franco. What a jerk!!
And, Kim? The subdued, grieving mother who is so out of her head with her feverish thoughts of replicating Oscar–Drew’s memories transferred into another’s head makes no difference to her—she wants what she wants. She’s as “touched” in the head as Franco—-two solid freaks. These writers must have gone to the same school of Bedlam.
I mean, he’s physically not Drew—-I have another word for her—-but, I will contain and restrain myself.

I thought the same thing, Harry–re the difference between “Drew” and “Drew.”
🙂

I’d prefer to have kept Billy Miller! They got everyone interested in his story and now we r supposed to believe a navy seal couldn’t save himself?

Please keep general hospital alive by writing for the actors from Core families!

I hope this man is great at his job and that he comes and gets killed off quickly maybe taking Shiloh and Heinrich w him!

I 100% agree. Billy Miller should have gotten the memory story a long time ago along with a new love interest and much more screen time. It was absurd. The other stories are just not cutting it either. Now it is just not exciting to hear about new characters anymore because of the bad writing for the characters who are already on the show. When will it change if ever?

Well, someone needs to take the reins @ Aurora ’til Drew returns or not.

A specialist Dr for Carly’s baby

So…… how do all the Michael Knight fans feel now, that we know he was apparently brought in just to prop the psycho Nelle?

Sure, there’s always the possibility he could stick around longer, but right now it looks like a case of Frankie Valentini propping up his pets once again.

Not an AMC viewer, so I don’t have a three headed dog in this fight, but just thought I’d ask…..

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum, Chad Duell Releases New Music Track, ‘Static in the Quiet Room’

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Chad Duell

Duelly is in the house, once again! This time, former General Hospital and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael) is back with his latest single after revealing just over a month ago that he has switched, for now, his focus to creating music under the “Duelly” banner.

The initial musical genre has been EDM (electronic dance music), but this time out, Chad has given listeners a bit of a different vibe still with electronica present and more upfront vocals than his previous track, If You Need Me.

Now, the former Michael Corinthos, took to his Instagram and shared his new track Static in the Quiet Room which is available on all music streaming platforms including: Spotify, Apple Music and You Tube Music.

Photo: JPI

Chad shared on the new single and the collab within in it: “I’m really excited to finally put this one out. Static in the Quiet Room is about that weird space when you can feel someone you were close to slowly becoming distant. They’re still there, but somehow they don’t feel as close anymore. Like you’re trying to hold onto something that’s already starting to fade.”

The former General Hospital star where he played Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) son, Michael for 15 years added, “I’ve been experimenting a lot with music lately and trying to find my own sound, and this is probably one of my favorite things I’ve made so far.  This was also the first time I actually worked with other professionals on one of my tracks, which made this one a little different for me. Really hope you guys enjoy it”

As GH fans know, Duell decided to exit the long-running ABC soap opera after 15 years looking to pursue other career interests and opportunity and to take a break following the passing of his beloved father. Rory Gibson became Chad’s successor in the role taking over on-screen in  late May of 2025.

You can check out a preview of Static in the Quiet Room on Spotify below.

Now let us know, did you like this track of Chad’s? Happy that he’s pursuing one of his other career goals? Miss him on GH? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jacinda Executes Her Plan to Drug Willow, Jason Tells Tracy He’s Out of the Mob, Sonny Quits Too!

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On the Thursday, August 6 episode of General Hospital, Sonny (Maurice Benard) seemed to get a clue from Jason and also decided to leave the mob. Speaking of Jason (Steve Burton), he went to tell Tracy (Jane Elliot) that he quit working for Sonny, which Tracy says would be music to Monica and Alan’s ear.

Michael (Rory Gibson) gets caught in Serena (Kelly Kruger) and Lucy’s (Lynn Herring) scheme, and Jacinda (Paige Herschell) slips a blue pill into Willow’s (Katelyn MacMullen) iced coffee as payback for the restraining order she filed against her. All this, as the closing arguments from Molly (Kristen Vaganos) and Martin (Michael E. Knight) are delivered before the jury in the Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner) court case.

Let’s break this all down: In the most heartfelt of scenes, Jason shows up at the Qs to see Tracy. He explains he told Sonny he can’t work for him anymore and quit. He tells Tracy he has to be a better role model for his son, Danny.

Courtesy/ABC

GETTING OUT OF THE MOB IS EMOTIONAL

Jason gets teary-eyed. Tracy says what Jason wants for Danny is all that his parents, the late Alan and Monica Quartermaine would have wanted for him. A gutted Jason feels so badly for his previous behavior towards his parents and wishes he could apologize for all that he put them through. Tracy says if they were here now, they would be happy that he had come to this decision for himself.

At Sonny’s, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) gets an earful from his father, who informs him that Jason had decided he wanted out of the business for Danny’s sake. Suddenly, Dante is worried for Sonny’s safety. However, Sonny says he shouldn’t be. Sonny claims he’s getting out of the mob too and plans to focus on business opportunities that opened up after Sidwell’s arrest. (This makes no sense, because Sidwell was involved in shady dealings too!) Next, the two men hug it out as Sonny explains he won’t be a problem for his son with the PCPD anymore.

At Nina’s (Cynthia Watros), Willow wants her mother to stop confiding in Jack Brennan about her children. Nina explained to her that her quest to reopen the investigation into Michael as a suspect in Drew’s shooting, could implicate Jack, since he had gotten rid of the traffic cam footage of Willow, the night she shot Drew. Nina is mortified when she also learned Willow has a restraining order against Jacinda.

JACINDA WANTS PAYBACK AIMED AT WILLOW

Jacinda asked Ezra (Daniel Cosgrove) to return the blue pills she’d left at his place a few months back, claiming she needed to take the edge off after Willow served her with a restraining order. She explains Willow wants her nowhere near Amelia and Wiley. Ezra is concerned for his escort/friend.

Later, Jacinda arrives at Nina’s where she runs into Willow. When Willow and Nina leave the room, it leaves Jacinda to spot the iced coffee lattes marked for Willow and Nina.  Next, she slips one of the blue tablets into the cup marked “Willow.”

Elsewhere, at the Metro Court Pool, Serena Baldwin lays on Michael’s pool chaise lounge chair. When he gets out of the water, he goes over to his chair only to have Serena laying on it. She gets a bit flirty, but explains she is concerned for her mother and Deception. Michael explains he will vote fairly with his shares given to him by Maxie. (You can check out the scenes entitled “Ambushing Michael” below).

Now weigh-in: Do you think Sonny is truly going to get out of the mob? And take up some of Sidwell’s, of all people’s business opportunities? Did you enjoy the touching scene between Jason and Tracy? Do you think Nina will wind up drinking the coffee that is laced with the drug Jacinda put in it instead of Willow?

Do you think Willow is going to try to paint Michael as a bad father and use drugs against him as well? Do you see a spark yet between Serena and Michael, or no? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Jean Lodge, British Actress and Mother of ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’s’ Charles Shaughnessy, Producer/Director David Shaughnessy, Dies at 99

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Our hearts and condolences go out today to Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Shane Donovan, Days of Our Lives and Victor Cassadine, General Hospital, and Maxwell Sheffield, The Nanny) and his brother, David Shaughnessy, one time executive producer and director at The Young and as well as The Bold and the Beautiful, on the loss of their beloved mother, Jean Lodge.

Lodge was a British actress who appeared with Alan Ladd in the 1954 medieval adventure film The Black Knight. She died at age 99 on August 5 just one day after she celebrated her birthday. News of her passing came from her granddaughter, Amy Shaughnessy who took to Facebook with a tribute to her beloved grandmother.

Throughout her motion picture career, Lodge was featured in 1949’s Dick Barton Strikes Back and Dr. Morelle: The Case of the Missing Heiress. Later credits included: Brandy for the Parson (1952), White Corridors (1951), Final Appointment (1954), Accidental Death (1963), The Eyes of Annie Jones (1963) and Invasion (1966).

Jean Lodge

WATFORD/Mirrorpix via Almay

THE SHAUGHNESSY BROTHERS CARRY ON THE FAMILY LEGACY

Talent runs in the Shaughnessy family as Lodge’s late husband, Alfred Shaughnessy, had developed and served as head writer and producer on the acclaimed 1971-75  UK series, Upstairs, Downstairs.

As daytime fans know, Charles Shaughnessy was one-half of the Days of Our Lives super couple of Shane and Kimberley (Patsy Pease) and has appeared on the soap opera on and off for decades starting in 1984 up until his more recent appearance in 2025 at John Black’s memorial. In addition, Shaughnessy was the last actor to play Victor Cassadine on General Hospital, a role he played from 2021-2023.

David Shaughnessy has continued his career behind the scenes mainly as a daytime soap opera director with a list of credits from Santa Barbara to Y&R, B&B and since 2019, Days of Our Lives.

HEARTFELT REMEMBRANCES

When Amy Shaughnessy took to Facebook to announce her grandmother’s death, she expressed,  “Jean Margaret Shaughnessy (neé Lodge) left us today, one day after her 99th birthday. She passed, as she would say, “quite quietly” and peacefully in her sleep. My grandmother was a beautiful, talented, complicated, passionate, emotional, energetic woman who was always on the move and full of life.”

She continued, “The perfect hostess Jean enjoyed parties, friends, socializing, the theatre, feeding the ducks, museums, gardening, music, culture, long walks in nature, animals, painting (she was amazing!), cooking, art, traveling… the list goes on. She loved her two sons, Charles and David, her daughters-in-law, Susie and Annie, and her five granddaughters, Amy, Jenny, Katie, Maddy, and Josie. She was blessed with two great-grandsons, Julian and Noa.”

“An ever-present matriarch, her silliness, stubbornness, joyfulness, and her love for storytelling will continue on through her family. Us. Forever. We will miss her. We will carry her with us always. We love her all the world and then some.”

Share your thoughts and condolences to Charles, David and Amy and the rest of the extended Shaughnessy family on the passing of Jean Lodge via 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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