After the fantastic bit of casting news for actress Vinessa Antoine  (Jordan Ashford) over the weekend, today, via her social media accounts, Vinessa has addressed her future with General Hospital.

As viewers know, Vinessa has been cast as the drama series lead in the new CBC production of Diggstown, and it is groundbreaking making her the first black actress to star in a series on the legendary Canadian broadcasting network,   Originally it was presumed that Antoine would go recurring on GH, while she was away filming, but that is not the case as she revealed in her heartfelt message today.  She and GH have mutually parted ways.

Vinessa’s statement: “There are so many people that God put into place who are directly and indirectly responsible for my time at General Hospital.  You know who you are. I thank you. I came into this world as an artist. My job is to create and inspire. I hope that I did that a little in playing #JordanAshford.

I believe that I have taken her as far as I can.  To clarify, as negotiations for #Diggstown were underway, although I am open to stay and play in Port Charles, I was told by my reps that GeneralHospital felt that my character would be off the canvas for too long for me to continue playing her.

With that, we decided to mutually part ways.  It’s time to make room for more women of color in prominent roles on television. I’m grateful to assist in that by starting this new chapter in my journey. I hope you’ll all come along. I feel blessed. Be well. xo”

An ABC rep told Soap Opera Digest that the role of Jordan is being recast.

So what do you think of Vinessa leaving GH for good? Share your thoughts via the comment section below and let’s wish her much success!

Congratulations are in order this Sunday to Lauralee Bell who is celebrating her 35th anniversary with The Young and the Restless.  Hard to believe, it’s been 35 years since the perils of a young Cricket became front and center and those young love stories with Danny (Michael Damian), Phillip (Thom Bierdz) and eventually, Paul ( Doug Davidson).

As Cricket matured, so to was the decision to now call the character by her birth name, Christine.  After all, she became quite the legal eagle! For over three and a half decades with time-off in between, Lauralee has shared memorable storylines with the amazing Tricia Cast, and the late Jeanne Cooper as Nina and Katherine, and let’s not forget Michael Baldwin, played by Christian LeBlanc, to name just a few/

In a few tweets on Sunday, Lauralee acknowledged the day stating: “We all couldn’t do what we love to do without the viewers so thanks to them!”  She followed that up with a tweet filled with photos of herself and her co-stars throughout the years ,and some self-effacing humor stating: “Wasn’t going to post for YR anniversary, because I’m not one to put attention on me but no denying these people have made my life better. Thanks to crew & fans and my hope for Cricket is to smile the way she used to & chill whenever possible”

As viewers know, Lauralee is the daughter of Y&R creators, the late, great Bill Bell and his wife, Lee Phillip Bell.  We are sure Bill is smiling today for Lauralee and proud of this accomplishment.

Share your congrats for Lauralee on this milestone via the comment section below.  Then let us know your most memorable or favorite Cricket/Christine moment on the CBS Daytime drama series.

Fantastic news for General Hospital favorite, Vinessa Antoine (Jordan)! The talented actress had landed the leading role in the primetime Canadian series, Diggstown!

The legal drama is scheduled to air this fall.  In Diggstown, Antoine will play Marcie Diggs, a top corporate lawyer who decides to dedicate herself to a legal aid office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

This casting news will make Vinessa a part of Canadian TV history as the first Black Canadian actress to star in a prime-time drama on legacy network television, CBC.

Antoine spoke to the Toronto Star about her starring role, “When I first read the script I was really attracted to the notion that she was a corporate lawyer and she believed in the system. And when that crashed for her, life nudged her to do something extraordinary. And because I’m a woman of color, so many things connected. She’s complex, not stereotypical, and that’s refreshing.”

However as suspected, and according to the Toronto Star: “General Hospital fans will not be happy to learn that Antoine, who has been with the show since 2014, will no longer be a series regular when she starts shooting Diggstown in August.”

So, excited to hear Vinessa has been cast in a leading primetime series?  Comment below!