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Jonathan Jackson Speaks Out on His Aborted Return as ‘General Hospital’s’ Lucky Spencer, Potential Comeback, and Making Tony Geary and Genie Francis Proud (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

Published

11 months ago

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Photo: JPI

It was back in June of this year that General Hospital fans were stunned when they learned that Jonathan Jackson was wrapping up his return as Lucky Spencer after only nine months and heading back full-time to his home in Tennessee. Up to that point, it had been 10 years since Jonathan appeared as Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura’s (Genie Francis) son on the ABC daytime drama series; in a role he originated in 1993 at only 11-years-old.

Even though his return was abridged, and not how anyone wanted it to end, Jonathan still managed to rack-up some unforgettable scenes that landed on his Emmy reel, which ultimately just a few short weeks ago won him his sixth Daytime Emmy at the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. That means, other than his mentor, Tony Geary, who has the record  8, Jackson is the second-most winning male actor in daytime with 6 along with Justin Deas (ex-ATWT, GL, Santa Barbara).

Jonathan’s reel contained when Lucky’s son, Aiden (Colin Cassidy) admitted to his father that he was gay, Lucky hallucinating Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) to come save him from the clutches of Sidwell (Carlo Rota) while imprisoned in Africa, and Lucky’s guilt over finding out from his mother, Laura that he isn’t a donor match to save his sister, Lulu and more.

Photo: ABC

Michael Fairman TV was on the Winners Walk where we spoke to Jonathan shortly after he won the gold for the sixth time and got his take now on: his decision to exit GH earlier the planned, if a return is at all possible in the future, why Lucky seemed so wishy-washy and claimed he could never put down roots while every one he loved and loves him lives in Port Charles, and more.

GOLDEN BOY

An emotional Jackson, shared how this win hit him harder than the others in his career, “It’s very overwhelming. It’s like surreal. I’ve lived in Tennessee for the last 13 years and I was away from the show for over a decade. When I came back, it was like a whirlwind,” recalled Jonathan. “It was a lot of work. It took a lot out of me commuting back and forth, not to mention the emotional toll of it. So, to be here with my coworkers, with my beloved wife (Lisa Vultaggio ex-Hannah), I just got overwhelmed. I think when you’re younger, you’re focused on different things. And as I’ve gotten older, I’m taking it in differently. I feel more present now than I think I was in the past.”

Photo: JPI

Jonathan reflected and was very thankful of the kinds of material he had this time back, which in his eye didn’t require Lucky to be crying every day as opposed to do 10 years ago, “I hit the ground running thanks to Frank Valentini. (executive producer, GH) and the writers. I loved the kind of ‘mission impossible’-esque beginning stuff … that adventurous Luke-like material, because I was having all these memories of Tony as I was doing the scenes. That was super fun. Then, to get to have Lucky and Elizabeth reconnect and even get as close as they got to getting married again was nice. The last time I was here over a decade ago, it was mostly tragedy. I always felt that the fans wanted Lucky and Elizabeth, to get back together. And so this time around, I was very grateful that Frank and Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) and all the writers were very open to that.”

EARLY EXIT

Although, Jackson spoke of getting Elizabeth and Lucky back together, in the end, it couldn’t be, because ultimately he choose to depart GH. “It was my fault that I had to leave, because of the commuting and my family and so I felt bad for the fans about that. I truly did,” shared Jonathan. “But I was also grateful for the moments of sweetness and beauty. There’s a lot of tragedy in the world. One of the things I mentioned as I was coming back, I said, ‘look, if it makes sense, I just think a little bit of beauty can go a long way in the world right now’. So to have those moments with Lucky and Elizabeth including singing the song to her flashing back, we need those kind of moments right now, especially.”

Photo: JPI

GH fans were critical and rightfully so, at how Lucky was written saying he wanted to be with Elizabeth and his son, Aiden and family, but then countering that he needs to be free, not tied down in one place, etc. Jonathan admitted that material can be frustrating, “Yes, (I know). I’m a very different person than him, right? It’s also one of the cool things about daytime soap operas. It’s a double-edged sword because you can’t really have an ending because the show just keeps going, and going. So unless Lucky and Elizabeth left the show together, you’re never really going to  have that ending. That’s one of the things I have to kind of reconcile with mentally to go, ‘There isn’t a beginning, middle and end here. It’s just moments, you know?'”

NEVER SAY NEVER

However, Jonathan is not closing the door to another General Hospital return down the line. However, at this moment it would be hard to pinpoint when with all of his music projects and other projects scheduled to drop at thee end of 2025 and 2026. When asked would he come back and reprise Lucky yet again, Jackson revealed, “Yes, absolutely. That was part of the discussion with Frank, because my preference would be that it’s open for me to come back. And thank God they were on board with that. I mean, it’s really a logistical thing of music and other projects and if my back can hold up with all the commuting.”

MAKING HIS TV PARENTS, TONY GEARY AND GENIE FRANCIS, PROUD

For many of us, we grew up watching Lucky go from a young boy, to a teenager to a young man up right before eyes. Jackson from the very beginning could always hold his own in scenes with the iconic Luke and Laura, too.  In Jackson’s heart, Tony Geary and Genie Francis remain in his heart in everything he does to this day.

Photo: ZumbaphotoAlmay

Speaking on Tony Geary, Jackson expressed, “He’s my mentor. I owe him so much. It’s like, it doesn’t matter how old you get, you still want to  make your parents proud. I feel that about my actual parents and my life. But I feel that about Tony and Genie as an artist. It’s not just General Hospital, either. When I was on Nashville, Tony sent me a message at one point. He had seen some of the episodes, and that meant so much to me. So, no matter what project I’m working on I want to make Tony and Genie proud and put the same kind of work ethic that they put into it and the love for the craft. That’s in me because of them. So, this is a little a moment of just like, I want to make them proud and I’m very grateful.”

Now below, watch our interview with Jonathan from the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards and for more Winner Walk conversations subscribe to the Michael Fairman Channel or click here.

So, what do you think of the remarks made by Jonathan on his recent run on GH, his decision to exit, hope he might one day return and love for Tony Geary and Genie Francis? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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I love him

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I believe Justin Deas has six daytime Emmy’s as well.

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It says so right there in the article

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Geary and Genie were great role models. I still often think of the passion that Geary displayed in his work.

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If we can’t have Lucky, bring back Morgan. Ethan is not a legacy character. We will be thrilled with Morgan !!! Ethan will not get our attention !!

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

Published

3 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Jason and Britt

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.

Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.

However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Britt

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON

Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.

He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.

Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”

General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”

So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Kearran Giovanni Debuts on ‘General Hospital’ as Anna Devane’s New Therapist

Published

2 days ago

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September 10, 2026

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Kearran Giovanni

If Anna Devane’s (Finola Hughes) new therapist on General Hospital looks familiar to you, it’s because actress Kearran Giovanni, who plays Dr. Nichols, previously played a doctor on One Life to Live!.

Viewers tuning-in to the Thursday, September 10 episode of GH got their first look at Dr. Nichols who has been brought in to help Anna recover from her PTSD and trauma following the reveal that she has been suffering from a break in reality since before being put in mental health facility in France, after being gaslighted by Cullum and company earlier in the year.

One Life to Live fans will recall that Kearran Giovanni played Dr. Vivian Wright in 2009, and it was then she first worked with current General Hospital EP, Frank Valentini, who at the time was at the helm in Llanview.

Photo: JPI

WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU SEEN KEARRAN GIOVANNI?

Giovanni appeared on OLTL in the recurring role through 2012 and in the final ABC episode of the beloved series was the the ob/gyn who delivered Destiny Evans (Shenell Edmonds) and Matthew Buchanan’s (Eddie Alderson) baby into the world, whom they named Drew Buchanan II after Bo Buchanan’s (Robert S, Woods) late son. In addition, Vivian has been dating Shaun Evans (Sean Ringgold).

In addition to One Life to Love, Giovanni has very impressive credits having appeared in numerous TV series and motion pictures including starring in the TNT drama Major Crimes from 2012-18, ABC’s Designated Survivor 2017-19, the CW’s Black Lightning from 2019-20. Most recently, Giovanni appeared on the Fox series, The Resident and has a recurring role on the CW’s crime series, Walker from 202-2024.

HEALING ANNA

On today’s General Hospital, after Anna’s harrowing meltdown where she almost shot and killed Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) after seeing visions of “Peter August” (Wes Ramsey), Jason (Steve Burton) saved the day and talked Anna down from committing murder. Now, Dr. Nichols was introduced as a valuable staff member at the hospital.  Although, this marked the first time in the history of the show we have heard of her character.

So, do you remember seeing Kearran Giovanni on One Life to Live? Happy to see that Anna may have a qualified therapist in charge of her healing, unless the doctor turns out to be not on the up and up? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Anna Breaks Down in Front of Jason and Britt After Shots Are Fired

Published

3 days ago

on

September 9, 2026

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Finola Hughes

The Wednesday, September 9 episode of General Hospital featured top-notch performances by Finola Hughes and Steve Burton, as Anna holds Jason and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) at gunpoint on Mount Emerson.

Anna is not in her right mind as hallucinations of Peter (Wes Ramsey) overtake her, egging her on to shoot and kill Britt. Jason begs Anna to put down the gun, but it’s clear Anna is speaking to someone who is not there, but in a direction that is just past Britt.

Suddenly, Anna screams at Britt, “You’re just like your father!” Anna also tells Britt that she knew Britt was aware that she was locked up on Spoon Island and did nothing to save her. Britt turns to Jason and tells him she had no idea Anna was on the Island, “until Cullum showed up in Port Charles.” That declaration gave Jason pause.

Courtesy/ABC

“PETER” TAKES A BULLET

Next, Anna is overcome with angst, filled with tears and screams out, “I won’t let you beat me!” She fires the gun where the imaginary Peter was standing, as Britt screams and Jason dove to cover her. Now completely shaken, Jason took the weapon from Anna and ordered Britt to leave the scene as Anna collapsed in Jason’s arms.

Jason was so concerned for Anna. She reveals she’s been seeing visions of Peter August since France. Jason shared his theory with Anna that she was manifesting her worst fears about Faison. However he knows deep down Anna would never have shot Britt. Jason promises to come back and clean up the area, but would take Anna home first.

Jason

Courtesy/ABC

ANNA ADMITS TO EMMA SHE TRIED TO KILL BRITT

At Anna’s, Jason brings her in the front door as Emma is there. Jason tells Emma (Braedyn Bruner) he would like to return and spend the night. A confused and worried Emma get the full story from her grandmother.

Anna explains she tried to kill Britt and she is not as well as she was pretending to be in France. Cut to: Jason cleaning up the site of Anna’s plot against Britt on Mount Emerson. He moves over and finds bullet casings on the ground and examines one of them.

The story climax also signaled the end of the run for Wes Ramsey, who has been showing up on episodes over the last several months as Anna’s dark side conscience. Now that Anna was able to break the psychological hold visions of “Peter” had on her, it ends this latest return of Ramsey’s.

So, what did you think about the scenes between Anna and Jason? Do you think Jason and Britt’s relationship will come to an end now that seemingly Britt revealed she knew Anna was held captive after Cullum came to town? Glad to know Anna won’t be haunted by visions of Peter August anymore? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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