General Hospital
GH's Finola Hughes On Soaps Resurrgence, Anna & Duke, A Kimberly Return?
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
One of the big questions on all of fans minds is will the the unbelievably talented (she is an actress and a director to boot, now!) land a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress when the nominations for the 40th annual Daytime Emmys are announced tomorrow morning on Good Morning America, for her role as Anna Devane! If her reel, and what we know, are any indication, she should be a lock for a spot!
In a brand new interview with Soap Opera Uncensored’s Nelson Branco, she has been named “Sexiest Woman Alive 2013”. The GH star fields some questions on: acting against a latex mask during the Faison/Duke story and reveal, what she thinks of the renaissance of the soap opera, the returns of AMC and OLTL, and if a return from her on-screen daughter, Kimberly McCullough (Robin) might be imminent. Here are a few excerpts:
Finola on acting in the scenes with Duke then aka Faison: “I had a lot of help from Frank Valentini (EP, GH). He was on the set all the time. And, obviously, a lot of help with the acting because Ian helped. I never think about the audience when I play a scene, Frank does. But when I was having to get close to Faison, I kept thinking, ‘The audience is going to be freaking out.’ So, I was like, ‘How am I going to show the fans that Anna is feeling weird or is trying to overcome something? How can I walk that narrow line, so that people can think, ‘ew, be careful,’ and, on the other hand, ‘It’s Anna… she’ll save herself. As an actor, you can never be subjected to yourself. You can’t stand and watch yourself — or none of it will work. I had to find this place in me that gave myself a little warning bell like, ‘Don’t go too far or you’ll lose the audience. Pull back a bit, but let them know that you’re on their side, so I didn’t lose all street cred.’ Sometimes it got gnarly and, sometimes, I thought I saved myself and, sometimes, I had to jump in with both feet. What worked, worked, and what didn’t, didn’t. ”
Finola on the state of soaps, when everyone was saying they were dying: “I didn’t believe it was over to begin with. I felt the apparent collapse of the soaps was wrong. I didn’t feel it was necessary. I felt it was mismanagement. They took a few wrong turns. Perhaps they weren’t grasping the audience as well as they could, but that didn’t mean they were over. What’s so amazing about soaps is the fact that it can be reinvented. It’s like Madonna. Just when people are ready to write her off, she reinvents herself and becomes more relevant and successful. As a human being, you should be able to do that; and certainly, if you’re a creative endeavor, like a soap, you should be able to shake things up. That’s certainly what they did with NIGHT SHIFT. It was a total reinvention of the craft. I thought it was very well done. And I’m not sure why that whole idea got dropped.”
Finola on if she thinks Kimberly McCullough will return as Robin soon to play out the story: “I don’t know. We’ll see what she’ll do. I have no idea. I have the sense that she wants to bite her teeth in fully when it comes to her directing career. It’s been hard because she was on GH when I was gone; (and vice versa). We’ve wanted to work together for so long. We keep missing each other. It’s such a gift to work with her.”
Finola on the returns of One Life to Live and All My Children: “I think it’s fantastic. I’m glad all those people have jobs again. There’s still lots of story to tell. I hope they shoot it differently and tell story in a new way. They’re inventing something really cool.”
So what do you think of Finola being named, “Sexiest Woman Alive 2013”? Do you think the Anna should stay with Duke? Do you want Kimberly back to play scenes with Finola? Do you think Finola will land a Daytime Emmy nomination tomorrow? Let us know!
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.
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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
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She deserves an Emmy! She’s incredibly talented. She convinces me in EVERY SCENE she is in!
YES to all of the above questions! And for sure when KMc is ready, I hope she’ll come back. That entire story is what brought me back to watch GH in the first place and when they didn’t show it for months (until August) I sort of gave up hope on the show. They need to keep that story moving with or without her. I’m obviously a big Devane/Lavery/Scorpio/Drake fan. My fam needs story
She’s the best, I’m glad she’s back full time, and hope she gets nominated for the Emmy .
She is awesome and a fave!!! I wish all good things for her! She is a beautiful and sexy lady! GH has a number of sexy ladies. She is so talented and we are so lucky to have her back and I hope she stays for a very long time. I would hope she gets the Emmy nom and hopefully the win! She deserves it! I really want her to get back with Robert but… if she has awhile with a great relationship with Duke… I am all for it! Of course I love seeing her work with KM and would love her back anytime they can make it happen! I would love to see more of her with Tracy and Emma… actually more of Anna with everyone is best!!! Keep up the great work Finola… we are so lucky to have you on GH!!!
yeah, she’s my fave GH actress, and I love her chemistry with Tristan Rogers & Kimberly McCullough.
I don’t think Anna&Duke are nearly as interesting without Robert in the mix. He really needs to return.
A Scorpio/Drake/Lavery/Faison adventure would be awesome!
Im with everything you said!
I will be rooting for her to win the emmy.Love her with Kimberly always have. I am liking Duke now, but I wouldn rather she be with Tristan R. I really wish Kimberly the very best in what she wants to do with her life..I am very happy that we at least have Anna.
I do not like Anna & Duke together..
That couple is overwhelming boring..
It’s grandma and grandpa dull ..
Still absolutely thrilled to have Duke and Anna back together! They are one of the best pairings that GH has ever had. Smart, sweet, strong, and so so SEXY. I do hope that Robert comes back (with Holly along!) and they all have a fantastic story finding Robin. Scenes with Emma and all 4 of her grandparents, as well as her parents, would be great! I don’t care for Robert and Anna together romantically (so I hope Cartini don’t go there, lol), but I do enjoy them as friends and working together. I’d really like to be seeing more Anna and Duke than we’ve been getting, but I’m happy to have them at all after so many years, so I’m being patient.
Finola is just awesome – soaps are like Madonna, LMAO!
Emmy is certainly in the horizon for Ms Hughes, and well deserved as she’s shown me in each and every scene she’s been in. Finola certainly has perfected her craft beautifully over the years she’s even made kissing a rubber mask believable! I have to be honest but I really miss Anna with Luke and wish that had not ended so abruptly. Tony and Finola have such great chemisty and work wonderfully off one another there is so much more story to tell there. I hope RC revisits them real soon. As for Kimberly of course I’d love for her to return as Robin but not if it means giving up her dream. I want her to soar and succeed as a women director, not very many of them out there.
She can take the emmy home now, because it will be hers in a few short weeks anyhow. Anna’s true love has always been Duke. The fact that their characters are so opposite is such a good combo. Robert has always fallen into that best friend category. Besides, Anna and Robert had their chance both before, during and after Duke and they’re still not together today.
Anna Devane is not my favorite character on GH, but I do admit that Hughes is a great actress and I enjoy her scenes.
I am always enthralled went she is on. Finola brings such depth to her scenes that I cannot ignore her. I wish her the best of luck with the nomination. She is truly deserving.
With Robin returning soon will this break-up Sabrina and Dr. Drake?
Spoiler says K.M. will film 40 episodes this summer to air on gh in sept. to nov.? Spoiler hinted Maura West only temp and will be killed off? Any truth ot someone just guessing?
Finola rocks and I really enjoy watching her….I wished they would bring Robert back because I absolutely love how Tristan Rogers and Finola Hughes plays off each other.
She is the coolest most beautiful natural woman. I just love her and having her back on GH has made the world of difference. Thanks GH.
I am definitely rooting for Finola to get an Emmy nom and win, specially since her first win she wasn’t on hand to receive it!
And she looks as good as she did in the 80s even if the big hair is gone LOL!
As for Kimberly, we need Robin back long enough to give closure on Robin’s enprisonment. This story has dragged on now over a year and it is unfair to GH and Robin fans to be left hanging for months on end, aching for this story to end and for Robin to be reunited with her husband, child and the rest of her family and all her friends who adore her. If at the end it means Scrubs fades to the backburner or off completely, I can handle that-but dammit Robin and Scrubs deserve their reunion and happy ending. To leave it hanging this way is an injustice to us loyal fans who have stuck it out all this time!
I am enjoying GH still a lot-love the blossoming romance of AJ and Elizabeth, adjusting pretty well to NuLulu and looking forward to many new faces or old ones returning. I have been a loyal GH fan for 30 years now and plan to keep watching. But Robin is my all time fav GH character and for me to fully enjoy GH I need to see this horrible story ended and resolved!
Jenny
Finola is a classy lady and an amazing actress. So pleased she was on the pre-nomination Emmy list but am shocked and disappointed she was not short-listed this week. I believe she would have won for lead actress. She certainly deserves it.
Not a fan of Duke with Anna this go around. I’d much rather see Anna with someone new which includes an exciting new storyline.
I’d love to see Kimberly back if she can fit it into her schedule! Anna and Robin are one of the very best mother/daughter duos. Love them together!
As far as an Emmy nomination, I was absolutely stunned Finola was not nominated!!! In fact, I still can’t believe it! Unbelieveable!