General Hospital
Jonathan Jackson talks on his hopes, the future, and his decision to say goodbye to GH!
Courtesy/ABC
What a Christmas bummer for soaps fans! We have to say goodbye to the talents of four-time Daytime Emmy winner who is exiting the canvas of General Hospital as Lucky Spencer this week.
Jackson caught up with ABC Soaps In Depth to discuss his decision to leave the show, what he had hoped would happen with the Lucky/Liz pairing, and if he might reconsider his decision in the future and return to GH. Here are a few excerpts!
Jackson on the challenges with the Lucky/Liz love story: “It’s difficult to tell love stories in a day in and day out medium. It can easily become a little bit mundane. I think there’s a way around that, but it’s not easy. The answer can’t be to always have one of the two people betray the other one and have the whole thing fall apart because the characters end up compromising everything about themselves. There has to be another way to have drama without the characters themselves doing that to themselves or doing that to each other. That would be the challenge: how do you create drama and suspense nuances but maintain the integrity of the characters? That’s really difficult to do.”
Jackson on if he might return in the future: “I hope that the show can continue to thrive and be successful. The world is a fluid place. Things change and evolve. Everything in this world is temporary and transient to some degree. It’s the eternal things that matter and the relationships with people that matter. Those are the things that I try to focus on and hold onto.”
ABC Soaps In Depth goes on to say, “With the behind-the-scenes regime change at GH in the new year, all this might, indeed, change, and Jackson might be back on your screens after a quick negotiation and compromise. Jackson fans, cross your fingers.”
Are you sad to say JJ go? Do you think a deal will be struck with Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati that will bring Jackson back to GH and in a creative forum that works equally for the show and for the actor? Let us know what you think!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’
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I agree with what he said about the love stories being a little mundane….because it does become all too familiar and predictable sometimes with soaps. I mean, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sitting in my living room watching a soap, and can say the lines or predict the actions before the characters act them out. It would be nice for someone to surprise us every now and then….and rather than drag a story out to nauseam, they actually get to the point….or have the characters say what any normal person would say or do in a real life situation. That would be a twist and a change that would be well received by the audience.
I love JJ’s Lucky Spencer and I want him back on the canvas pronto!
At this point it would be a surprise if Lucky and Liz got back together. GH is in free fall and disintegrating, about to crash and burn, with so many characters written off and actors leaving. Bringing back Lucky and reuniting him with Liz would help, and FV and RC are probably smart enough to figure that out. But whether anything or anyone can save GH from Katie is another issue.
I do hope that the new regime is doing their homework and that they are studying the history of this great show and its characters. I hope they don’t turn GH into OLTL. I’m not saying one is better then the other, they both stand on their own legacy. So yes, I’m hoping they realize how valuable Jonathan is to the show, as well as Nathan Parson who i hear is also leaving, and do everything possible to keep the people we want to see, and not make the mistake of bringing in new people to soon.
What I was sad about is how the last year they have written for this character and his exit story was awful obviously they did not feel inclined to write for him in a positive way. Get prepared for all out of work OLTL actors over here and how does that help, look how Y&R has been ruined. GH just start working with your cast and get back to basics. JJ good luck! Go back to movies and your band and be happy!
It is so sad when the powers-that-be allow these kind of travesties to happen! I’m appalled that such an asset to the show is leaving and with the current changes in cast. Lexie & Nathan have a gold mine of potential, but alas they screwed that too. If/when GH is cancelled, they have only them selves to blame. What a shame!
Cant replace Lucky nor Cole on OLTL.
*gets down on knees and prays like a 6 year old hoping Santa comes soon* Please please please let this work out! GH w/o JJ has always seemed less alive.
This mans talented and maybe knows GH is next to be cancelled.
So go out while hes fresh in peoples minds.
I wish more HIM luck, he’s just a great actor and deserves a BIG shot at the Big Screen.
GH is looking to be cancelled, first they don’t jump at the chance to have Genie Francis return and now they are letting Johnathan Jackson go. The writers must want to crash and burn.
PLEASE PLEASE ALL YOU NEW WRITERS BRING JJ BACK HE IS THE WHOLE SHOW NO ONE & I MEAN NO ONE CAN PLAY LUCKY AS HE WILL ALWAYS BE LUCKY & LUKES COWBOY I PRAY EVERYDAY THAT IN 2012 THEY WILL FIND A STORY LINE FOR A REUNION WITH LIZ AS I WATCHED THEM TOGETHER IN THE 90’S THIS IS MY NEW YEAR DREAM PLEASE PLEASE BRING MY JONATHAN JACKSON BACK HE IS A 4 TIME EMMY WINNER HELLO GH WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM AND RECAST???? OMG NO NO NO PLEASE!! NO ONE CAN BE LUCKY BUT JJ HE IS THE REAL LUCKY I HOPE YOU WRITERS ARE READING THIS BECAUSE WE ALL WANT JJ BACK PLEASE!!!
Please bring jj back..I love him..Work it out with him please..
Love lucky…
Please come back.
He is the original Lucky. The writers should bring him back and Luke too. I liked Luke as the wonderful drunk he was. Luke being sober… A 32+ year fan! I remember the Campus Disco when Luke raped Laura and the whole Frank Smith saga! Bring JJ back…
I understand why Jonathan is leaving. How much doom and gloom can a person subject themselves to as an actor. They could have added some fun in the mixture and maybe he would stay. Ridiculous, all the great actors on GH are leaving. Personally, who really cares about the Shawn character. Bring back Jax to stay.
I hope they do bring Jonathan Jacks back at Lucky he is so good.