General Hospital
GH UPDATE: Kirsten Storms NOT returning as Maxie! Jen Lilley stays put!
Courtesy/ABC
Many fans will be disappointed to hear that the previously announced return of Kirsten Storms to her beloved role of General Hospital’s Maxie Jones has had to be put on hold!
A spokesperson for the series told ABC Soaps In Depth, “Kirsten Storms will not be able to return as soon as originally hoped and announced. Jen Lilley will continue to play Maxie Jones for the foreseeable future.”
Next, Lilley took to twitter to say, “I’m sad Kirsten is still sick. Rest up love! I’ll keep Maxie kickin 🙂 xo Here’s to a bit more time on my favorite soap!”
Here’s sending good vibes Kirsten’s way!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’
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i hope she’s ok.
kirsten we all miss you. please get well soon. its not the same with out you. i loved you as belle black on days of our lives. maxie love your character. you are a great actress kirsten. please come back soon.
I hope Kirsten gets well soon. She is missed, however, I’m finding Jen Lilley’s Maxie very entertaining. She’s doing a great job.
Get well Kirsten, hope all is ok. Thank God Jen Lilley is the replacement, not Storms but the next best thing. I can not imagine any other actress carrying the role in the true to fashion Storm way like Jen has been. Great job Jen Lilley, keep up the good work.
Kirsten my thoughts and prayers are with you!
something just doesn’t feel right with this announcement…………..
My thoughts exactly, Ethel.
I hate to agree with you, but I must. Something smells funny.
Please feel better real soon!!! We want you back as our favorite Maxie! Take care!
I read that she coming back to Days Of Our Lives as Belle Black and I hope she dose,we lov and miss her.
I would love to see her back on Days as Belle!
IF she were to go back to DAYS, I wouldn’t want it as Belle. I’d want Martha as Belle.
Get well soon, miss you so much.
I really hope Kirsten gets well also. It’s sad someone so young has problems. It was very classy of her replacement to tweet that. She’s doing a good job jumping in a role. Working on a soap isn’t easy.
Not upset by this. Sure, she’s not feeling well, but I always felt like she’d never come back. This is probably her trying not to go back. Besides, Jen Lilley is a much better Maxie and made me fall in love with her!!!!!! Keep Lilley, ditch Storms.
Ouch! Those comments are pretty harsh. I read that she is suffering from endometriosis. Though I have never had the misfortune to suffer this, PLENTY of other women have. It’s nothing to take lightly. It sounds like she is really in pain.
GH is extremely lucky that they found a replacement for her who hit the ground running.
You should read this: https://wubtub.blogspot.com/2011/10/kirsten-storms-battles-endometriosis.html
Listen, I know Kirsten is sick. But I’m still not upset by this news. I find Jen Lilley a much more enjoyable Maxie. With KS I hated the character, with JL I actually love Maxie.
People need to STOP thinking I don’t know why she’s out at GH. I know why. I feel for her, I do. But I know when to cross a line between talent and liking and their personal problems.
I like jen lilley ,alot, but no one is maxie but ks,and what she is out sick for is hell,and I hope she gets well soon ,she has been sick for a very long time.as far as jenn lilly ,to bad they couldnt find somewhere else to put her when ks comes back,and why are they turning lulu into a drunk,Im not liking the drinking,then again Im not liking any of the stories on gh,cant wait till february ,support general hospital the ratings are sinking big time ,but then again there are so many people who are not getting counted ,unless you are watching it when its on,nothing else is counted,I have no idea how to solve that problem.scott I think you should google endometriosis,its that bad.
I have said this before… THIS IS NOT ABOUT HER ILLNESS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!!!! Stop trying to make it seem like it is because I’ve clearly stated it is NOT.
like jenna said those comments were really harsh ,I thought so to,and kristan storms does want to come back ,if you seen her facebook page you would see that .to me she is maxie ,and when she is well again she is coming back to play her.I like jenn lilley to ,but she is a fill in at this time ,and doing a very good job ,Ive also gone to her facebook page to tell her so,anyway can we just get along here.I just want general hospital to not get killed by abc,and whatever makes that happen so be it.we are running out of daytime soaps,and thats not good.
You can take it as harsh, I don’t care. But saying I don’t know the illness is BULL. Because my comments had nothing to do with her being sick. I feel for Kirsten, I do. I’m a fan of hers but never enjoyed her as Maxie. I find Jen Lilley much more enjoyable in the role and actually made me like the character.
I do not find Kirsten Storms an enjoyable Maxie. Nor do I feel like she fits into the role.
Yeah, I love the original Maxie. She is a childhood role modle of mine, and I hope she gets better, and I don’t like picking favorites, they’re both great actresses, but Kristen feels more like Maxie to me.
Praying that Kristen recovers soon.No one can play Belle or Maxie like Kristen storms.
It’s obvious Kirsten during her recovery thought about the sinking ship that is GH. She probably thinks it’s better to secure a roll somewhere else b4 GH is cancelled. Good for her.
I hope Kristin a speedy recovery!! she is missed very much. Maxie is just not the same. Jen is doing OK but she can not pull off Maxie Jones like Kristin can.
Lori
I don’t see this new chick as Maxie, she doesn’t have the feisty, fire that Kirsten Storms holds, hurry back Kirsten…hope you feel better soon, because this girl doesn’t even compare.
Jen’s ok, but is no Maxie Jones! Can’t imagine anyone can play the part as well as Kirsten Storms. The chemistry between Spinelli and Maxie is completely gone – so sad.
I hope that Kirsten is getting better and will return to G.H. (as promised) as soon as she is able to. It’s been such a long time and I worry about her, I hope she isn’t sick much longer. I watched her in her role of Belle Black on Days of our Lives and was happy when she joined the cast of G.H. First I pray that she WILL be all better, that’s first and foremost. Then I will be happily awaiting her return to her role as Maxie Jones. The new girl is okay but in my opinion only Kirsten Storms can REALLY be Maxie. Get well girl and God bless you.
I love her playing this part. She is a fantastic actress. She brings her character to life. The woman that is playing her now, is not feisty, sorry but she lacks the spunk that Kristen brought to the role. Please get better soon, we want you back on the show.
I have known many with this illness and its not stopped their lives, i am worried that Kristen has the cancer kind and thats why she seems to have dropped off the earth, does anyone KNOW if thats the case? I know it could be seems weird to be out of the spotlight and completely gone from site unless one is undergoing cancer treatments and they are able to get past the cameras with it all. Seems she just disapeared from the cameras as well. Thats really weird. I pray her and her family have reconnected and decided to get along so she wont have to go through this alone, whatever it is, she needs to not be alone. We all LOVE that girl and want her back, and I am really sick of the new girl and the storyline of her just now, i want Kristen back, but i do and can understand if she is more ill than we have been told and she is fighting battles we all know are a matter of life and death. But just the Endo….I dont understand being out of your life and life work this much for it, others have managed to get on with their jobs and life the best they can. She must have one heck of a good ins policy to keep her going this long for sure otherwise.
Jen Lilley does an ok job but she cannot and does not take the place of KS, something missing in her performance.
Jen has done. A great.job.hope kristen gets better soon
If she in fact has endometriosis, I don’t understand why it would have stopped her cold. Two of the female pros on Dancing with the Stars(Julianne Hough and Lacey Schwimmer) have also suffered with it but kept up professional dancing, Hough going on to start an acting career as well. I’ve also had friends with it, and while it sucked, they kept living their lives. It seems there is more to this than just that.
I hear that some women get it worse then others she had a very bad case of it. I hope she is doing better and we find out how she is doing. Remember she was ready to come back then she got sick again? I wish her well. And you could be right maybe there is more to it.
Wish we coud get more of a real update on her condition. I sure do miss her and have wached GH since the beginning. She is a great actor and to me has not nor can really be replace.