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Has ‘General Hospital’ Turned the Character of Emma Drake into a Bratty Misunderstood Bad Girl?

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

When GH announced the surprise return of everyone’s favorite little girl grown up, Emma Drake, and that the role would now be played by actress Braedyn Bruner, viewers were, at first, needing to adjust to the fact that Brooklyn Rae Silzer was no longer playing the part.

However, as Emma’s arrival back to Port Charles unfolded, this was clearly not the Emma we all knew and fell in love with. This version of Emma seems to be a calculated liar, who is exposing some unabashed behavior patterns.

On Friday’s December 27th episode, thank goodness, her grandmother is super spy Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) who is already on to Emma’s deceit. Emma pretends she just got up and got them both smoothies, but Anna knows she didn’t get home until 4 AM. Emma claims she just went for a walk and didn’t want to worry her when clearly she went out all night.

Photo: ABC

When Anna suggests they call Robin, Emma says she just did, but Anna caught her in yet another lie as she just spoke to her daughter herself, and Robin had no idea Emma had planned to transfer to PCU. Anna throws back that you can’t transfer from one university to another when you’ve been expelled from the first one.

Upon her investigation, Anna says Emma threw a big party in her room at school that got out of hand where close to 200 students were displaced because of property damage caused by a sprinkler system that was used. Emma kind of blows things off and says all will be fine now that she’s at PCU. She is curious how Emma pulled off her parents not knowing about the incident. Emma admits she gave her number to the school and pretended to be her mom when they called. She swears she is done partying and she has gotten an apartment and will be signing up for school. Anna puts the kibosh on it and says she will be living with her, much to the chagrin of Emma!

Courtesy/ABC

Later, Emma shows up at “Bobbie’s” and has conversation with Josslyn (Eden McCoy). During it, Emma could not have been snottier. She tells Joss that since Berkeley and Stanford are close, she and Cameron Webber (William Lipton) would meet up during the year. Emma brings up the old days where they both vied for Cam’s attention. Next, to try to stick it to Joss, Emma admits she introduced Cam to his new girlfriend, Gretchen (Indi Star), who she thinks is perfect for him.

So what gives? It seems like this version of Emma Drake is poised to be quite the snot and a nemesis for Josslyn moving forward. Is Emma going to be a bad girl … or did something happen to make her act out this way? Time will tell.

What have you thought about this new take from the GH writers on the character of Emma Drake? What have you thought of the performances of Braedyn Bruner thus far? Comment below. But first, check out the scenes where Anna lays into Emma for her lies.

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I hope Emma is not going to be Esme, Part 2. I’m glad Anna caught her in all of the lies. I’m ready for Valentin to come back to Port Charles and reconnect with Anna. I always thought they were electric together.

Why would she be anything like lunatic Esme? Esme was a damaged, emotionally scarred, person. Emma comes from a loving family, she’s stable, sane, and emotionally grounded. Yes; it seems so far they’re screwing with the character and most of us don’t like it. Gone is the sweetness, the respectful, loving girl, and in her place is an aggressive, insensitive, snarky Emma who seems to have no filter. Her questioning of Sasha and her comments and her and Cody were beyond out-of-line; and something Emma would never say. Still, I think they’re writing “this” Emma as a bit more rebel, “cool,” and defensive. But deranged like Esme? No. There’s a difference bratty, and nuts.

Right? How is being assertive equatable to sociopathy? I do not even think Emma is bratty, just rebellious. And she’s fighting the good fight as seen with her efforts to return stolen money to a struggling merchant. Emma is her mother’s daughter as is Joss. This could be the Robin-Carly feud being carried on by the next generation.

How they can even put Esme and Emma in the same sentence and even wonder if Emma is now going to be like unbalanced Esme is beyond me. I’d be completely frustrated if I were the writer to know my stories and characters are so completely misinterpreted. I must admit I do find her bratty as she’s being currently written. Her interrogation of Sasha and her insensitivity to Cody and Sasha’s breakup was insensitive, clueless, and obnoxious; not rebellious. And not things the Emma we know would ever have asked.

I was thinking the same thing

I know it’s early but so far I cannot stand her. The original Emma would never be so disrespectful of Anna & Joss has been through enough. She needs kindness & good friends. Not another witch in town, BTW I love Carly & Jack together! Hurry up with it already.

It’s not the actor’s fault, but the complete change in personality is ridiculous. The Wright-ers are just trying to make this show like it was in the 90s. The stories are so old-fashioned.

Love your play on words. Yes, the “ Wright-ers” are engaging in both character and history revisionism. Joss was the insufferable brat while Emma was the sweet and pretty little girl whom Spencer and Cameron fought over. The reversal of roles is carrying on the great tradition of Carly propping at the expense of other characters. But maybe Emma will just have a back bone and stand up to the self- righteous, hypocritical and domineering Joss. Joss could use someone like that in her life because no one, not even her best friend Trina, stands up to her. For me? Joss will always be the snot nosed brat dressed up as an ear of corn in the school play.

Gee, couldn’t believe there was another fan that feels about Joss as I do, but really thought you meant Anna at first , with your apt description.Anna can be that way too, sometimes.

Yes. I used to love Anna but she is another hypocrite. I’m sorry, all the tears in the works can’t negate that fact. I really wish she’d stop crying.

The misspelling of writers is an accident, I’m sure. Old fashion doesn’t go away to be replaced by bad manners. There is nothing wrong with the nineties or any era. Writers blend all era to show change. I am a writer and author.

Huh? If you’re a writer, shouldn’t you at least make some semblance of sense?

Well, whoop de doo!

nostalgia is making many fans rewrite history. emma was quite the calculating brat as a child when she outed joss for faking being spencer’s girlfriend to try and make cam jealous, which backfired on her. emma still showing that part of her personality is the only thing that could make her interesting. the problem is she’s being written as a stereotypical high school mean girl rather than a nuanced 21yo young woman.

She was on the show for one episode so give the girl a chance.

Wait. You’re calling Emma a “calculating brat” for calling out Joss for trying to manipulate Cameron by pretending to be Spencer’s girlfriend? Clearly, it was the other way around.

Personality 180’s are what this regime enjoys doing.

It’s also part of being human.

Virtually nobody does that in real life.

Alrighty then.

I cannot stand the new Emma!!!! She is just awful and spiteful. She actually is worse than Esme!!! Please GH do not paint her with Gio or make her stay because I cannot stomach this new chapter and the other storylines. Like drew and willow. I do like Carly and Jack pairing though a lot actually.

Yes ..her sassy (mean girl ) persona is new but the show needs some new excitement. There’s no freeze rays or ???? You know. And Lulu is just a plain old b;”!tch. We need more wrier story tellers. I watch so I can escape into different place.

Worse than Esme? Esme was a murderous sociopath. So far, Emma is just a rebellious spit fire.

Ugh! I hate the character change!

SORASed Emma is reminding me of SORASed Holly on Days of Our Lives. They even have the same eyebrows.

They didn’t Soras her. Brooklyn Silzer is going on nineteen in real life, so if she had reprised the role I guess she would have been about 20-21 to still be in college just like Joss and Cam. If I remember correctly it was Joss who was younger than Cam and Spencer when they were kids.

This actress is older. She’s 24 from what I read which is why to me she comes off as “soras’d. But I think it’s more the horrible attitude they gave her that’s affecting her look. If she was sweet like the Emma we remember, I think she could pull it off.

I DO NOT LIKE THE NEW EMMA! The original Emma was always so sweet and good! I can’t even stand watching her!

Same

Can’t relate to her being Emma. What happened to the smart, sweet young woman? What story are the writers coming up with to explain this?

A recast can be jarring enough but a total character flip is another Bad move

GH has made some poor decisions, in my opinion. They should have brought back Emme Rylan as Lulu. If the had an issue with Kelly Monaco personally, they could have recast her instead of killing her off. As for Emma Drake, they should have brought back Brooklyn Rae Silzer. The way the new Emma presented herself upon her return to GH as a “thief”, this is going too far. Drew Quartermaine (Cain) is ridiculous. His character is pretty disgusting right now. He not only slept with Willow but Willow’s mom Nina. Then Cody and Sasha turn out to be cousins. Another ICK factor. Now Chad Duell is leaving without a recast. It looks like the writers want to tank GH. In the matter of a few months, too many characters have changed and not for the good of the show. Bring back the old GH standard.

Brooklyn is in nursing school. She wouldn’t be able to commit to a contract role on GH. The new Emma presented herself the way the writers wanted her to. I don’t think any of us who “know” Emma like the change. It’s not the actress; she’s adorable. Kinda reminds me facially of a young Gina Davis. It’s the rewrite.

I really really do not like the direction they’ve taken Emma.
It’s so inconsistent with her and with her mother and her dad and her grandma and their relationships with each other.
The original actress who plays Emma is so beautiful and kind and has such character.
Emma can go through difficult times without being a brat.
I don’t think she’s as pretty. I don’t think she’s as special.
And I don’t think we need to replace any bratty teenagers.

Very disappointed that the writers chose this.
There are a couple of different things that have happened that I haven’t liked. I don’t like the direction they took. Drew King, I’m sorry. Where is the drew Cain as played by Billy miller who is married to Sam??
Where’s the drew Kane who was humble and gracious in the face of his son’s death?
Just because the world is devolving into a pit of self-centeredness doesn’t mean that we want to see it on every single character on general hospital.
Not liking any of it.
There’s a lot of inconsistencies and complicated re-rigging of backstories and legacy story lines. It’s shabby, it’s lazy.
And GH fans deserve better.
I’m getting ready to turn you guys off and I’ve been watching you since I was 8 years old and I’m 68.
I have raised a few generations of kids on this show and all of them are saying the same thing. What’s going on??????
You killed Dax serious????
You made Emma a disrespectful ass???
Serious?
You broke up Molly and TJ???
Michael and willow???
Cody and Sasha???
Obviously no one on your writing staff has a successful relationship.
It’s just boring and not feel good TV in the afternoon
Too many murders!!!!
And all you killed Sam McCall.
Boo.

Man, you nailed it! I agree with everything you said. I think some writers need to go. Turning I to a woke, no morals show. Willow and Drew disgust me. No wonder Michael is leaving the show. And what ya’ll have done to Emma’s character! Give me a freakin break. The new Lulu is obnoxious. Just saying!

Agree with everything you said. Woke, no morals show.

This new Emma storyline is not interesting, and this new Emma is not likeable.

Ummm; we don’t know the new Emma story line yet.

I can deal with Emma’s rebellious attitude if they reveal a reason for her behavior. New Emma kind of reminds me of a teenage Elizabeth Webber when she first came to PC. She was rebellious, snarky, and lied to her Gram more than once.

I never comment on wardrobe, but why do they dress Emma like a hobo. The long coat she is wearing is about two sizes too big, the big baggy jeans and then the sweats all seem like clothing for a boy. Is oversized clothes the new style?

I wonder if the story is going to be that after all this time emma is rebelling because of all robin dispierence did to her

I did not like this version of Emma! Very disappointed. Did not expect such a little tyrant lol

Well hope she not gonna be that way it totaly ruin the character.. growing up is hard enough but not all of these kids she be turned into Helen cassidine there only room for one of her

Are they trying to run my show into the ground been watching this soap sence I was 11 or 12

Emma hasn’t even been on a full week and I already can’t stand her. Lulu is obnoxious and left her son on Christmas Eve, couldn’t wait one day to go after Charlotte. The writers have ruined more legacy characters, greeeeeat. Sigh.

Kind of agree on that. She seems to have forgotten that they had Rocco, before Charlotte dropped into their lives.Also, brat that Charlotte usually is, she and new Emma should be great friends!

The writers “made her this way”, they just can’t stand to have a semblance of normalcy with one character,so what do they do, then give us someone most of will not be able to tolerate for one reason or another ruining our beloved Emma at the same time, so sad!

She’s also much more “butch”. I don’t like it so far. I really don’t understand why they replaced Brooklynn, she’s a beautiful girl and looks similarly aged. I was prepared to hate the new Lulu and I don’t, but I sure don’t love the new Emma. She doesn’t seem true to the character at all. And also, I never felt those girls were competing for boys. Sigh. Rewriting history.

There is nothing “butch” about this really pretty girl. Could be a model in my opinion. They just made her tougher; more aggressive and offensive. That’s not butch; it’s obnoxious. They replaced Brooklyn because she’s in nursing school. No time for a contract role; acting isn’t her career goal although prior to the recast she said she’d l over to come back for “visits” like she’s done before. GH is having Emma come back this time; not visit.

We already have to stomach bratty Charlotte, do we really have to suffer through a suddenly bratty Emma too? There have been too many character assasinations lately. It’s jarring and very unpleasant. I don’t even recognize Drew anymore. Willow cheating on Michael and Micheal cheating on Willow? So out of character for both of them. Robert abandoning his job and new “daughter” (blech) to run off with Holly? It makes no sense! And the chatter about Brook Lyn suddenly having a child with Dante when she was what, ten, is nauseating. How many previously unknown children crawling out of the woodwork will the writers inflict on us before even they are bored with these cliche storylines?

GH has suffered though a turnover of several writers this past year, as it shows. And it still hasn’t found the right writers yet.

Hate the new Emma. She is NOTHING like the original Emma that was sweet and kind, wholesome. The writers suck. Drew and Willow affair, just turning to smut. Should have brought the old Lulu back, the new one acts like an entitled.spoiled bitch.

I am not happy with this Emma..Emma was always a very sweet young lady, is there any reason why you could not have her that way & write her a story like her Mom’s was growing up & how she succeeds in life

I think there is way too much nostalgia for Emma as a child. This new Emma has been on for 5 seconds, and is already more entertaining than the rest of the YA group combined. I think this new girl is absolutely gorgeous, she even reminds me of Brooklyn S. As for the attitude, I can guarantee in a month or so she’ll have her sweet nature begin to show. Loving her already.

I do not like way they have changed Emma. It’s not the actress that is the problem. It is how that they have written her to lie and cause mayham. She has no feeling for others and wants to hurt whoever she can..l can’t imagine the old Emma ever turing out this way.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos

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Ayla Bullington

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.’” 

Josslyn

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.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Favorite Amanda Setton Talks Brook Lynn and Chase’s Divorce, Jude Jacks, Baby Phoebe, and What’s Next (Exclusive)

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Amanda Setton

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.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Heather Webber Has Everyone on Edge, Walls Close in on Ava and Drew, Sonny Has a Problem Named ‘Josslyn’

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General Hospital Preview

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?

Ava and Drew

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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