General Hospital
Ian Buchanan Returns To General Hospital For A Few Key Episodes!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Many General Hospital fans have loved Ian Buchanan’s portrayal of Duke Lavery. And after a shocking story exit in May of 2015, when the character was gunned-down in cold blood, it left Duke’s on-screen lady love, Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) in a terrible place grieving him and thinking she murdered his assailant, Carlos Rivera (Jeffrey Vincent Parise). That however proved not exactly to be true, since Carlos survived and alive.
Now Ian is on his way back to GH for several episodes where he will play an apparation of Duke in scenes with Finola Hughes beginning next week, Ian shared his enthusiasm on coming back to GH for some episodes with Soap Opera Digest in this week’s issue on newsstands everywhere by Friday.
Buchanan shared: “I wasn’t quite sure what it meant when I was told that I would be an apparition, but I felt like, ‘Well, that’s fine. I can do that! I can be apparitious!’ And it was great; I had a great time, but it was bittersweet, of course.”‘
The actor also weighed-in on the reveal that Matt Cohen’s Dr. Griffin Munro is actually Duke’s son. Buchanan said, “I saw the scenes he did with Finola when it was revealed he was Duke’s son and I think it’s a really nicely told story. They’re great together.”
Are you looking forward to seeing Ian and Finola as Anna and Duke share scenes beginning next week on General Hospital? Comment below,
The ghost of Duke returning to comfort Anna, at least until they decide to resurrect Duke (again) and rehire Ian long-term. Good to see him back though.
We will take Duke ANYWAY we can get him! He was either let go nicely last year or he is letting bygones be bygones? Either way, love Ian!
I completely agree Timmm!
Better than nothing…
“I can be apparitious”… lol jimh sounds like you
This whole Anna grieving story is horrible and they need to move her on from this. They have really brought the character of Anna down to a really bad level over a mobster who was ordering hits on woman feds. Anna never even mourned her own daughter like this or went after the people who kidnapped and tortured her for years. Dr O was COS and is still allowed to walk around free after also nearly killing Duke and Robert. If ghost Duke is the last we ever see or hear of him, Im all for it.I found the character boring when he was on and I find the constant mentioning of him even more boring if possible.
Let the stone throwing begin! You are speaking ill of two beloved characters!
Oh Carlee, thanks for saying it so well. I know I’m in a minority, but I never understood the magical appeal of Mr. Lavery and I also hate that he dragged Anna down as well. Finola is doing some of her best work ever recently and I’d like to see it used with other characters, especially Griffin. A very small dose of Duke will suffice for me.
WHAT SHOW WERE YOU WATCHING?
The same show I have been watching. Duke was a character that was barely acknowledged for 20+ years prior to 2012. Came back and the Duke and Anna pairing bombed because the actors have ZERO sexual chemistry. So much so that they broke up this pair 7 months and 3 minutes before they killed off the character. Then they finally kill him off because they realized the character is an abysmal bore, and to finally give Anna story after 3 years of being saddled with the character. New writers come in and decide that canonizing Duke is necessary in justifying her plugging an unarmed man 4 times and to integrate the newbie ab model of the month. In the process they have reduced Anna to a criminal hypocrite over a mobster who was ordering hits on people including a woman fed with a son who was also a close friend and partner of Anna’s. Now she goes around seeking “justice for Duke” so much so she should just wear a t-shirt to save on dialogue, crying in every scene and has accepted this “son” of Duke’s without any questions, concerns or hello an investigators eye/ear that maybe something is not right with him providing the DNA test results or even asking who his mother was.
This is not Anna Devane
Maria – Anna DID get DNA proof before accepting Munroe as Duke’s son, and he willingly provided it. We watched the scene where she offered him tea or water and took the cup, of which he saw and encouraged, feeling confident it would show the truth. He bears a striking resemblance to the younger Ian Buchannon and the casting was excellent, though would have been nicer to bring him on when Duke was still alive. Ah well….
I personally don’t care for characters who are dead reappearing as ghosts or apparitions. I say either bring them back to life (this has been done many times on all soaps) or just let them stay six feet under. I like the character of Duke but not in this context.
I vote for leaving them 6 feet underf. Dead is dead!!
Duke is alive, locked up with Alan Quartermaine and Emily. They are all well and alive. Helena is alive too. Stavros has the hostages locked up in a basement.
Love me some Duke and Ian Buchanan! I was just watching some Anna and Duke scenes from 1986 on YouTube!
Duke needs to stay dead, but if he has to come back for a few episodes for Anna to stop crying, let it be. Worst Anna story ever!!
Instead of bringing Duke back as a ghost, how about undoing the terrible writing of Ron Carlivati, and bringing him back permanently? I’m over the back from the dead stories in most cases, but this is one instance where I would make an exception to that opinion.
It’s not a coincidence that the ratings plummeted after they killed Duke. They should have never killed off a beloved legacy character like that. I don’t care if Ian asked off the show, or whether they fired him, whatever the real story is, no one here knows, send Duke out of town, into hiding because of the mob stuff, back to prison, something, anything other than killing off the character.
The story that followed certainly wasn’t worth getting rid of a character with ties to the show dating back 30 years. Especially now that they decided to give him a son. I would love to see Duke get to meet Matt, and see Anna have some happiness for the first time in a year.
Hey, Dan! I’m with you1 Undo the terrible writing!
Yes, undo the horrible writing of RC and Duke is still dead from 1990
It wasn’t Ian fault he was killed off RC was the culprit there like hes done to other actors
If they can resurrect CARRRRRRRLOS why not Duke? I cannot stand Carlos and I love Duke. He has his dry spots BUT with his “Son” coming forward now Duke would have something to do besides Tango with Anna.
Timm they need to kill Carrrlosssss off already . Sabrina needs to get with Michael already
No one stays dead in daytime, Duke is alive and next year he will be back on contract.
STOP THE DUKE CRAP!!
I can not take one more Anna freaking out over duke..
Anna’s character has been destroyed.
Anna was a very in control smart woman, on top of the heap.. Now she is crazy weak and unwatchable. What a shame..
Anyway.. this Duke crap has gone on and on and is a total empty story.
((I do not care about a Duke return, I no longer care about Anna.. I am more than done with the Duke junk.
ZZZzzzzZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ !
First of all, blame your idol Ron for killing off Duke, which resulted in this story. Second of all, have you ever lost anyone close to you? It’s not something you just snap your fingers and get over. What they’re portraying with Anna is a very true and very realistic way that most people cope with the loss of their true love. Sorry that they’re trying to tell a story with genuine heart and emotion, instead of having characters unmask like a Scooby Doo cartoon, or people having sex in a mausoleum.
Amen Dan AND Finola should have won an Emmy THIS year and better get one in 2017! She is great!
well if u don’t like them bringing people back from the dead then stop watch it. or you can watch it and stop complaining.
I’m looking forward to it. I also wish there was some way to bring Duke back; yet I’m not a fan of returning from the dead. Hopefully, the scenes will be sweet and provide Anna with some closure.
Bringing Duke back would be easy– Carlos shot an imposter in a Duke mask- the real Duke was imprisoned again, finally escapes and is alive and well–so the question isn’t how they could bring him back but whether they should. Characters are only interesting if the writers give them a story and while Ian was portraying Faison in a Duke mask he had something to do, but when it was just Duke, the writers left him on the back burner for most of the time that he wasn’t on much anyway. So unless the writers have a long term plan then the character should remain dead-
PLEASE BRING HIM BACK …HE ADDS SO MUCH TO THE SHOW!
I think Anna needs to move on. Frankly, yesterday’s long boring talk eith Duke’s BORING son was excruciating to watch. I love Finola and she is fab at what she does but all this crying? Make it stop.
I have loved Duke and Anna together since they first met decades ago. Nothing would make me happier than to see him come back from the dead. It was criminal that he was killed off.
I think Finola Hughes has done an outstanding job portraying her grief. Anyone who has lost someone they love that much knows that grief knows no timetable and rationality goes out the window. She’s been brilliant. I’ve been on the edge of me seat watching her, such a powerful actress. She blows me away. The writing is good again and my 30+ love affair with GH continues. I can’t wait to see Duke. I’ll take him any way I can get him!
I think the honesty of Anna’s grief over Duke has been well played. Grief is a scary monster. We all process it deeply and Anna has NEVER been just a surface character and her scenes dealing with the loss of Duke have been honest and sometimes really raw. Finola Hughes takes standard material and brings it to a higher level. Who else in daytime has that power? Very few. I know this seems like a long time to mourn but she is coming around and starting to live her life again. I will never condemn GH for the storylines as long as they are well acted and well written. I can’t wait for what’s next. They so deserved that Emmy and they have my attention for what is about to come. Go Anna!
If this ends all the Duke Crap and the crying and whining of what once was a formidable kick butt heroine, one who kept me glue to my screen I wouldn’t want to miss a single then so be it. Bring him on as a ghost for a day if that’s what it takes to make her realize she needs to put an end to this obsession of hers and MOVE ON. So sick of what this storyline has done to Anna, the Duke worship, the inability to see him fo who he really was and what she calls “justice for Duke” is destroying her with each passing scene. Sorry Mr. B but Duke is proving to be Anna’s downfall and is better off left dead.
I am over the moon that Duke is coming back even if only as a ghost. I do hope that he can return and stay at some point in the future. He is one of the vets of GH and helped make it a hit for many years. The actor playing his son has enough of Duke’s looks and traits to fulfill the son role very well and I would like to see Duke, Anna and Dr. Griffin try to become the family the writers have hinted at. BRING IT ON.!!!!!
I love that Ian is returning. Anna and Duke are my favorite couple on GH. Look forward to Duke being alive and getting to know his son. Excited to hear about his story. I don’t believe he is just an apparition.
All this nonstop Duke, Duke, Duke and him being a saint everyday has not only made me hate Duke/Anna the couple but now I’m bored with Anna. I’m so over the whole thing, the writers has went overboard with it. I’m tired of hearing about him, tired of Anna weeping and acting like a crazy lady, I’m over Anna and Duke..Bring on another super couple pair, Robert and Holly would be nice and a change of pace.
I am so glad they chose to bring Duke back – even as a ghost.
I can’t wait to see the episodes.
Hey, while they’re at it, why not bring back Tristan Rogers and Robert Scorpio (sans Luke, by the way). HOW painful to say that–and then remember that once-great team. Oh, my!
Can always watch on youtube as someone said above.
They should bring back Genie Francis!
Touche!
where have u been Genie has been back for a while now
Love Ian: please bring him back permantly!
Bring him back permanently! Love him and Anna doing the tango!
It’s about time! Anna has needed Duke’s presence/solace this past year, and I’ve needed to see Ian Buchanan.
So happy to see Ian back if only as an apparition. Would love to see him back full time, but after all of Anna’s emotional scenes, and his already near miss in the clinic (Faison/Dr. O) even I don’t want to see him appear alive on a soap “suspend reality.” Or who knows, maybe I could handle it!
I’m guessing that Duke is back to enlist Anna’s help after lost all his afterlife savings in a Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Raymond Berlin, father of Rachel Berlin…
it used to be that “ghosts’, ‘back from the dead”, identical evil doers, split personality, transplants, and sexual idenities were unusual and perked up a show . Now it is so common not even just on soaps but on the same show with the same characters —-it packs no punch anymore and just seems more and more like nonsense.
FH is a great actress and probably can pull it off, but just think a little more innovation would be nice. I rather see anna look at Griffin have him temporarily morph into Duke and do whatever to move her on.
I have to say that Matt Cohen (Griffin) is an extremely talented young actor with a great future. His scenes with Finola Hughes are exceptional. What a terrific addition to the GH staff and the storyline. As for Ian Buchanan’s death, I think it was outrageously a mistake. There have been far too many wonderful characters with great future story potential killed off for stupid reasons, not only on GH, but other shows as well. Don’t have time enough to list them all.
He needs to be brought back as more than just an apparition. I want to see Duke back permanently! Finola Hughes and Ian Buchanan are magic together, even with an awful writing regime. With Griffin in the mix now the possibilities are endless for story potential.
Me too Lisa .he’s a wonderful actor
Yes, great news, but I truly was hoping they could some way bring Ian back alive again.
YEAH!!!! I would love for him to return for real… but I will take anything we can get.
Yes seeing Ian again will be so great. I think it’s a great idea and hope that he has
one more dance with Anna.
I LOVE DUKE & ANNA & ALWAYS LOVE SEEING THEM TOGETHER!! JUST WISH DUKE WAS BACK FOR GOOD!!1
We can only hope that TPTB are reading all these comments. Duke and Anna are FAR from over. There is so much more story potential for them…on and on.
General Hospital
Troy Lennon Appel on Auditioning Six Times for ‘General Hospital’ Before Being Cast in the Role of Hudson Parker

General Hospital introduced the character of Hudson Parker back on July 30, 2026 marking the first appearance of Troy Lennon Appel in the role.
Quickly, we learned there was some connection to Ethan Lovett, after Hudson tracked him down and beat up the guy, the potential that Hudson is the biological father to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) adopted daughter, Phoebe, and that he is now Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) right hand man at JJE.
On Sunday, October 25 in a brand new episode of the That’s Awesome Podcast with Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the Stone Cold and the Jackal duo welcomed Troy Lennon Appel to the show to delve into his background, landing the role of Hudson, and what may come next in a teaser for upcoming episodes of GH.

Photo: ABC
A NEW CHARACTER CREATED JUST FOR TROY WAS THE TICKET TO PORT CHARLES
As it turned out, Troy revealed that he had actually auditioned for General Hospital on six different occasions before being cast as Hudson, the last audition being for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett.
Appel explained, “Every time I showed up (to audition), I was like, ‘All right, I gotta nail this because it’s General Hospital.‘ It was my sixth one where I auditioned for Joe Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Bennett’s character. That was last November. Then, it was February of this year when I came in for an in-person callback. My wife and I were just like, ‘You gotta nail this.’ I didn’t get that character. Obviously, Jonathan got that, but then, they created Hudson Parker for me. I’m shocked I’m even on this show right now!'”
The General Hospital newcomer was even more stoked when he realized that not only did the producers and writers create a role just for him, but that he was going on contract as a series regular.
Appel recalled, “All at once, they were like, ‘We’re going to offer you a three-year contract and we’re creating a character for you.’ It was just something you never expect to hear. I was on the phone and I just fell down to the ground. I went through the range of emotions you could have. I know I cried. I hyperventilated. I’ve never hyperventilated in my life. But now, I get to essentially live the dream I have.”

Photo: ABC
HUDSON AND JOSSLYN
Eden McCoy shares many a scene with Troy, and he gave her major kudos for getting him through the beginning weeks of his run as Hudson. “We did a chemistry test, together and I give her so much credit because obviously, she’s a pro. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ll do scenes with her where I’m like, ‘I got to just try to meet her where she’s at because she’s just so talented.'”
Troy added, “Eden took me under her wing, and just helped me out so much with understanding the process of all of this and even just knowing where to go, when, when to be where I need to be. I don’t know how I would be feeling if I didn’t have her always working with her and just helping me out the entire time.”
The mystery of just who this guy is will become clear in the weeks ahead as Appel revealed, “We actually just shot what Parker’s background is. Right now, I am the Vice President of Operations for JJE. I manager the company’s financials, essentially. But, there’s more to Hudson which we will eventually find out.” Getting the chance to mix it up with the cast, Troy added of Hudson, “He’s up to some stuff.”
Check out the full conversation with Troy Lennon Appel with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson below.
Now weigh-in: what do you think about Troy having a role specifically creating for him after 6 auditions for GH? What do you think will be revealed of Hudson’s background in the weeks to come? Do you want to see a Josslyn and Hudson pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH Alums Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan to Reunite for Special Fan Event

General Hospital fan favorite Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall) will be making a rare public appearance teaming up with her longtime friend and former leading man, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer), at a special fan event.
The announcement came from the stars on their social media accounts, but you can circle, Sunday, December 13, at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as the spot to see Kelly and Greg at this meet and greet.
As General Hospital viewers know, Monaco spent 21 years as Sam McCall before being killed-off on the October 30, 2024 episode. Before that, she had become soap-famous for her dual roles as Livvie and Tess on the GH spinoff, Port Charles.

Photo: UncleVinnie’s
Vaughan is currently appearing on daytime’s newest soap opera in the recurring role of Dr. Kial Rollins, a role which he debuted back on December 8, 2025. Throughout his daytime career, Greg has appeared on The Young and the Restless (ex-Diego), Days of our Lives (ex-Eric) and as GH’s Lucky.
SAM AND LUCKY
It was back in 2007 that in story, Sam started pursuing Lucky (then played by Greg Vaughan) as a form of revenge against Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Sam was furious after learning that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) had a child with Elizabeth while Sam and Jason were broken up. That child was Jake. Eventually, Sam and Lucky became a hit with viewers and would continue to cross each other’s paths.
Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club took to their Instagram and shared, “The fans asked and we always deliver!!” Tickets going fast! Order on our website.”
In addition, Shanna Moakler, who is in a relationship with Vaughan, took to the comment thread and exclaimed, “My two favorite people.” Moakler and Monaco had previously announced in March of 2025 the start-up of their podcast called Bad Bunnies. It was expected to cover pop culture, personal stories, and Hollywood secrets.
Then, in July 2025, it was confirmed that Kelly Monaco would no longer be participating. At the time, she stepped away due to personal family matters, focusing on maintaining a private life, and new work commitments.
So, would you love to see Kelly and Greg together again? Happy to see that Kelly is making a public appearance for her fans? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase Hesitate to Sign Divorce Papers, Elizabeth Reveals Aiden’s Leaving For Paris, Willow Flashes Back to Her Crimes

As the week came to a conclusion on the Friday, October 23 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) wrestled with becoming an empty-nester, while Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Monet (Blythe Howard) conspired to keep Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Ric (Rick Hearst) at legal bay, and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) frozen relationship thawed, but how much?
Let’s take a look! First, in a moment that was written to bring Liz and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) closer, the GH head nurse is wistful over the fact that she just learned that her talented bakery chef son, Aiden, secretly earned his GED and got into a prestigious pastry school in France and to top it off received a scholarship to attend the school.
Liz is concerned that allowing him to go wasn’t the smartest move because of his young age. Dante suggested that maybe it’s her fear of being alone that is causing her to feel hesitant for Aiden to go abroad. He shared a story about the support her received from Olivia when he moved away from home for the first time; that he understood mothers and sons are close, but she needed to let him go build his own life.

Courtesy/ABC
After coming to terms with it, she revealed that Aiden is leaving in four days and had to make cupcakes for the Halloween party, Dante offered to help her do the baking. They smile. So, what this means to GH fans? All of Liz sons: Cameron, Jake, Aiden are all now officially off the canvas!
WILLOW VS. LULU
At Miller & Davis, Willow strolls in to meet Monet to go over their strategy in their meeting with Ric and Lulu. While discussing their next move, Willow flashes back to the night she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison) twice in the back, and then later, how she first stuck a needle in his neck to use the paralytic drug that kept him in a locked-in state for months.

Courtesy/ABC
When Ric and Lulu arrive, the four end up in a stalemate. Willow refused to drop the lawsuit, and Lulu refused to retract the story on her. Willow’s stance is that Lulu had been manipulated by the Quartermaines, who wanted to take her children away, so Michael can have sole custody of them. Lulu fired back that she was doing her job as an investigative reporter to expose crimes perpetrated by a congresswoman.
Now at an impasse, Ric and Lulu tell Monet and Willow they will see them in court as now a judge will hear the case. Not what Ric wanted that to happen, but now he tells Lulu, they will figure out a way to bring Willow down.
DIVORCE BLUES?
Finally, Chase and Brook Lynn head to the Dominican Republic to get a quickie divorce after how their lawyers dredged up awful things about both of them in Port Charles. While on the plane, the two discuss that they still want each other to be happy.
Once in front of the judge in the Dominican Republic, he asked if the two were mutually consenting to this divorce, but instead, the two sang each others praises.
This left the judge to ask if the two wanted to go through with ending their marriage and he left the room. Later, when he returned with the divorce documents to sign, Chase and Brook Lynn stared at each other hesitating to sign on the dotted line.
So, what do you think will happen next? Will Brook Lynn and Chase end their marriage, or decide to try to make it a go? Is it upsetting to you that all of Elizabeth’s sons are off the canvas? Should the soap recast them all, like they did with Alexis’ daughters and restart the story of these young men? Do you think now will be the time that Willow’s crimes will be publicly exposed, and she will lose her kids and her seat in a congress? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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