General Hospital
Jen Lilley reveals on Twitter she is staying on as GH's Maxie & to stop the hate towards her from fans!
Photo Credit: Janna Giacoppo
It is never easy and many times awkward for the best of actresses to come on to a daytime soap opera and replace a beloved performer whether it be permanent or temporary. Today, General Hospital’s current Maxie Jones, Jen Lilley took to her Twitter page to inform her followers and many fans of Kirsten Storms, that she is for the forseable future now staying put in the role of Maxie. She also asked fans, for the greater good of the show, to stop any hate towards her for things that are out of her control.
Here is what Jen tweeted, ‘I had to get twitlonger to answer properly. First, I, Jen Lilley, LOVE Kirsten Storms. I think she’s talented, funny, beautiful, and kind. While I have loved my time on GH, I think it’s under the saddest of conditions that I’m there. Because of unforeseen circumstances, I am staying as Maxie. Please know that as a KS fan, I am really sorry. Kirsten is irreplaceable. To keep GH alive, someone had to step into the role. I cannot change what’s happened. Yes, I love being on the show, but if KS could have stayed all along, I would have wished a thousand wishes that I could have come on as a different character, for her sake and your sake as a GH fan. Change is never easy.
I hope you will find it in your hearts to stop being so hateful toward me personally, because honestly, after 6 months of it, I feel broken, and it’s not helping the show. We have to stand united for the sake of General Hospital’s livelihood and for soap fans everywhere. I think all of Kirsten’s wonderful fans know that she’d want her fans to support GH and fight like hell for it’s renewal. With utmost sincerity: Jen Lilley”
While we adore and love and send our best wishes to Kirsten Storms, I think fans should go easy on Lilley, who is doing an admirable job in the role. Kirsten’s shoes can never be filled, but unfortunately in show business, the show must go on. So, let’s all support both Jen, Kirsten, and GH at this most delicate of times.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.
Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
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Give the girl a break already!!
people are mean to hate her for having to replace a charactor. She is doing a great job even though she isnt KS. We all have to deal with change. Someone had to replace her would you turn the job down? Doubt it. I agree with give her a break…
What a small minded world we live in. It’s a soap! People get replaced all the time! Jen is doing a fantastic job taking over this role!
I have to say, I was so ready for Kirstens return. But I found myself last night watching GH and looking @ Jen and thinking “wow, she is maxie now and almost seemed to make me think it would be strange to see Kirsten back”. I wasn’t a fan of Jen up until recently, she has filled the shoes perfectly and is a natural at it now where as in the beggining it seemed she was a little out of place. Here’s to Kirsten’s health. And Thanks Jen for doing a Great Job!!!!
Completely agree! Over the last few days, Jen has really started to look comfortable in the role. She’s doing a great job.
It never ceases to amaze me that people can’t seem to separate characters from their actors, and understand that acting is a business. As much as we are sad when our favorites are replaced with other actors (what stands out in my mind was Laura Wright being replaced by Nicole Forester as Cassie on Guiding Light), it’s irresponsible and silly to take it out on the actors who are doing their jobs.
Well said, Traci.
I agree that everyone should stop being mean to Lilley.. It is not her fault that KS is sick and needs to have a replacement for the show. I wish KS the best in getting better and getting back to the show but until she can come back Lilley is doing a find job in her place. I am sure it is hard to try to come on to a show and fill someone elses shoes so go easy on her
Well said Michael and Jen.
thanks! I hope if Kristin does return, Jen will stay and maybe be a lost sister or near relative. She is doing a great job. I miss KS, but in light of the situation of soaps in general, I support this young actress and GH as a whole.
I don’t understand why people hate her. It’s not like Kirsten was fired. I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but it must be serious. I wish her well and think Ms. Lilley is doing a great job. Why hate her? Did she make Kirsten sick? No. Leave her alone. No other substitute would be better than Jen Lilley is. Al things considered, I think she’s doing a bang up job.
BRAVO Jen! Well said. I think some of the issue is that as fans, we don’t know what happened, or why? When is KS coming back or not? But the truth is, it is NONE of our business why KS is not returning; be it a personal matter, health matter etc. We must STAND TOGETHER to unite to KEEP ALL SOAPS ALIVE!! Grace
I think Jen needs the respect from fans that we give all the other phenomenal actors on GH. She makes an excellent point when she says we need to fight like hell for GH to be renewed. I’m losing it come September in the Orlando, FL area. Bravo Jen.
I honestly don’t know how anyone could possibly blame Jen Lilley for what has happened. I love KS and still miss her but that doesn’t mean Jen hasn’t done a bang-up job with the role. Her Maxie is different from KS’ and it’s taken me a bit to get used to that but she’s a strong actress. I can only imagine what a difficult position she found herself in.
Jen, I support you so much, and you are doing a great job. KS, is not replaceable..you said that, I just said it. Now we need to move on. Change of any kind is never easy. There are a lot of GH fan who do support you. So, stay strong, don’t take to heart what the KS fans may say..they are hurting..and they are hurting you. That does need to stop..I need to find your twitter page and follow and support you..hugs..
Some soap fans take the word FANATIC to a whole new level.
Poor girl. She is doing a bang-up job and receives all this hatred. It’s a sad world we live in.
No one is ever happy. If they had dropped the Maxie character, there would be complaints. If Kirsten Storms does come back, there will be complaints from the people who like Jen Lilley.
Daytime drama fans are a unique breed. Some recasts do not work. This one does. I think we as fans are spoiled because recasts and replacements are not as common or accepted. Why should, when an actor decides to go or is ill and cannot continue, a character be dismissed or a plotline compromised? Best wishes to these two actresses now and onward.
Ya know what peeps…give Jen a break – she’s doing a bang up job as Maxie Jones …no disrespect to Kirsten.
It is very sad the Jen had to write what she did, but it was well said and necessary. I miss Kirsten very much too and hope she is well and back as Maxie ASAP. People need to stop being mean about anything with the soaps we have left and should be happy we have them. I love GH and all of the actors and will hope that they will be on for many more years and we should be grateful when one is out sick that someone comes in and does a great job filling in for them. We are happy to have you Jen and thank you for keeping our Maxie going! Now if you can get her back with Spinelli all will be well!
shes doing a fine job playing maxie ,I liked her the first day she hit port charles,and was hoping that when k s comes back they can find a place to keep her,its not easy to replace someone and jenn lilley came in a gave it her all.the only reason I yelled at her today on her facebook page ,was to tell her not to pick on elizabeth , maxie is being naughty ,and to tell her she is doing a fine job being maxie and if shes at general hospital to stay,good.I really like her .and everyone should back off ,shes doing her job,and in my eyes ,doing one hell of a job.you go jenn lilley.
and jenn lilley just liked my post.shes so sweet.
This is the bad side of twitter. “Fans” can tweet hateful crap directly to the actors. I just don’t understand it. If you don’t like the actor don’t even bother to tweet anything.
If she feels broken, maybe she should delete her twitter and not bother. Wonder if it’s contractually required by GH that she has it?
I think Jen is doing an AMAZING job as Maxie. I enjoy KS but almost would be odd to see her back in the role. Keep up the Great work Jen. For all the haters out there, grow up, she has a job to do and is doing it quite well. KS is gone for now so it is what it is.
I’m confused it was my understanding that Kirsten Storm’s tweeted that she was returning to the role of Maxie at the end of the month. Is that no longer happening.
She did, then a week or so later it was confirmed she wasn’t returning as planned. I think she either left the series or the series let her go.
Good grief, how mean spirited people are! Not Jen’s fault Kirsten is ill. My only problem has been that Jen & the new Kate look too much alike, sometimes I glance up & can’t tell who is on the screen. Leave Jen alone & bring back the original Kate! (I guess I am being mean myself, not intended that way though!)
You’re a great Maxie. You can’t help someone got sick. You go.
I think Jen is a great actress, and has captured the “Maxie” personality perfectly. I had no idea people were treating her badly because of KS’ problems which she has no control over.
I love KS too, but I’m hoping Jen will enjoy her days as long as GH remains on the air.
Not upset by this at all!!! I much prefer Jen over Kirsten.
I am so proud and happy for Jen, I’ve had several conversations with her on Twitter and she’s nothing but a pure angel. I wish her nothing but the best and lots of years here on “GH” as Maxie!!
Jen is wonderful and brought comedy back to GH. She should not be so emersed in Twitter to feel “broken” by dopey fans.
to all the haters out there: if you don’t have anything nice to say then keep your mouth shut…………………….
Agreed!!!
I’m not a full-time viewer but when I do tune in, I think Jen Lilley is great when she’s on.
I do not think that fans should take it out personally on the actress, but to be in this business, Jen will have to understand not EVERYONE is going to like you. I don’t mind her, but she is not Maxie. She portrays Maxie in a way that is very unrecognizable to me and that is not her fault, it is just fact, in my opinion. I think for her to be “broken” that some are critical is a little over the top. There were people that certainly sent hate towards Kirsten, and probably still do, as well as many other actors and actresses on GH. If people are sending ugly things like “You’re ugly”, or antyhing to do with her PERSONALLY that is beyond uncalled for, but if people are sending their opinions of her portrayl, she needs to let that go. I think GH should have written Maxie out, it would relieve drama from the audience, less confusion and pressure on KS’s return, and Maxie is barely in a storyline (except for Matt’s and her lack of chemistry with Jason Cook has significantly pissed off many M&M fans anyway, so that is pointless).
I completely agree. I have nothing against Jen. But since she took over the writers have made Maxie a bratty, teenage girl. It’s annoying as hell. Just write her off the show.
I’m fine with Jen. She didn’t walk into an easy situation. If anything, I wish the writers of GH would start to give Maxie more character. She comes from great “stock” to be so insecure and shallow. Since they are both connected to Felicia, if Frisco comes back, this could be an interesting dynamic for both of them on figuring out how their relationships with Felicia played into where they are now.
People need to grow up and leave Jen Lilley alone. Yes, she’s no Kristen Storms. Nevertheless, I think that Lilley is doing a great job portraying Maxie and we should give Lilely a chance instead of bashing her for the simple reason that she replaced Storms.
Keep the good work Lilley and don’t listen to these juvenile haters.
If you wouldn’t play the part so whiney I would be ok with the change even though I really miss Kristen Storms.
I love all of these “critics” – who have never acted a day in their life – weighing in on something of which they know nothing. Jen has done a great job making the very best of a bad situation, and I think it’s time for everybody to just grow up and accept the fact that things sometimes change because of conditions beyond everybody’s control. I’m sure neither KS or JL are happy about these circumstances, but give the girl some credit for God’s sake. That’s the problem w/the internet – it’s easy to be an obnoxious bully when you remain anonymous.
First of all, how do you know that no one here has ever acted or otherwise been involved in the industry? That’s an awfully presumptuous thing to say.
Second, by your logic, no one should have an opinion about a book if they’re not a writer or about a painting if they’re not an artist or about a dish of food if they’re not a chef. Come on now! A person can learn how to appreciate and judge the quality of an art form without being a practitioner of it. While personal attacks on JL are uncalled for, any viewer of GH certainly has the right to evaluate her acting. The audience is the reason the show is produced.
And let me remind you that you are also an anonymous commenter.
I am enjoying her version of Maxie very much and am happy she is there. I especially love her funny chemistry with the character of Anthony.
I think she’s fabulous as Maxie! I don’t miss Kristen Storms one bit.
maybe if they softened her look… too much eye liner and bright red lipstick… she’s not KS…. i have to support my soaps first… the soap as a whole… who can’t say…. over the years…. 30+ years soap fan…. that we’ve seen favorite actors come and go… give her more love scenes with matt.
I read her twitter she gets lots of love, really she needs to ignore the haters and concentrate on the positive. All daytime actors get this, anyone in the public eye really. Also having read her other tweets before she unleashed this response I have to say she comments on the show, who she thinks the character should be with, who she likes/dislikes and read any almost any other GH actors twitter Bradford, Rebecca herbst, Steve Burton, Kelly Monaco, Jonathan Jackson, they for the most part stay out of this (with the exception of Becky’s firing) and she needs to take the same approach.
I wonder if people would feel the same if their favorite actor was replaced?
I love Kirsten’s style of playing Maxi-but I also feel Lilly has done and outstanding job to step into such a unique character role. I wish the best for both of them but i feel Lilly has been a fresh spin on Maxi and have enjoyed her very much. Maybe she can find out she is a twin and never knew it until now . That wa they both could be on the show-that would be a hoot.
or when kirsten comes back jenn lilley should stay on and be a new character ,I like her to ,she plays maxi very well .
Your not hated your just not her.
Still really missing KS over here! I’m sorry JL feels that fans don’t like her, but it’s not personal. It’s her acting that’s been a disappointment, and she needs to understand that part of working in the arts is accepting the audience’s right to analyze and critique your performance.
Maxie has always been written as a self-centered, manipulative, sometimes bitchy character, but KS found a way to soften those sides of Maxie by adding layers to her dialogue. Underneath the arrogance and the pushiness and the snark, you knew she had a conscience and a heart. KS even found a way to make a lot of her antics come off as cute–just Maxie being Maxie.
Unfortunately, JL’s delivery is one-dimensional and doesn’t convey that kind of depth. I often catch myself repeating her lines as KS might have said them and thinking how much more sympathetic they sound when read that way. Lately, the writers have been trying to redeem Maxie with this silly plot about how she tries to punish herself with a false murder confession. But what they’re really trying to do is compensate for JL’s inability to make Maxie likable without such plot devices. I actually find the character so annoying now that I usually change the channel when she’s on.
I’ll never stop hoping that KS will return as Maxie. I know nothing about JL as a person, so I don’t have any issue with her, and maybe she would be a good actress in another role. But she’s not a good fit for this one, and like any consumer of entertainment, I have the right to my opinion about it.