Connect with us

General Hospital

13

Lindsay Hartley Temporarily Replaces Kelly Monaco as General Hospital’s Sam McCall

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: JPI

On General Hospital, viewers will now see Lindsay Hartley stepping back into the role of Sam McCall temporary filling-in once again for Kelly Monaco.

Hartley began airing on today’s Thursday, August 22nd episode and reportedly via Soap Opera Digest, is only back for a “short-term stint.” Lindsay is no stranger to the soaps having also appeared as Theresa on Passions; Arianna on Days of Our Lives; and as Cara on All My Children.

Back in 2020, when Kelly Monaco had to step away from GH for a bit, Hartley first took on the part. Later, she returned to play Sam in 2021, and once again in January of 2024. Taking to her Instagram Story, Hartley wrote, “Grateful to be stepping in again.” She was pictured in a photo from the funeral of Molly (Kristen Vaganos) and TJ’s (Tajh Bellow) baby alongside her on-screen mother, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) and also Kristina played by Kate Mansi.

Photo: JPI

The timing of Kelly’s temporary exit comes at a pivotal time for the character as her man, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) awaits to see just what the prognosis is of his ex-wife, Lulu, who has been in a coma in a longterm care facility, plus all the drama between the Davis sisters.

Last fall, Monaco celebrated her 20th anniversary with General Hospital and her fans have been clamoring for her to have more story as Sam has been a bit back-burnered of late. Is that all about to change? Stay tuned.

So, glad that if anyone was replacing Kelly, it was soap vet, Lindsay Hartley? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

13 Comments

13 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

I like Lindsay. If there has to be a recast, whether it be one episode or longer, she’s a good choice. Always enjoy seeing her. Hope everything’s okay with Kelly.

my thoughts also.

100% am ok with Lindsay Hartley stepping in when Kelly’s away. She makes Kelly’s absences seamless.

I really enjoy her work. Love her Lifetime movies.

Sam’s been more than “a bit” back burnered as she only appeared in one episode. Her guaranteed episode count is obviously down since whenever she signed her last contract. That said, it’s not necessarily a bad thing as the character seems caught in a rut – and the answer is NOT a reunion with Jason.

Hartley’s a great actress and I typically enjoy her subbing as Sam. Just hard to fathom why it seems to happen that often.

It would be nice to see Lindsay Hartley in a leading role again somewhere.

I prefer Lindsay Hartley over Kelly. Kelly looks like she’s busy these days getting Botox.

Lindsay Korman-Hartley is a fantastic pinch-hit for Kelly Monaco and infuses a lot of energy into the role. And while I’d prefer for her to stay over Monaco, I also wouldn’t object to her possibly bringing Cara Castillo (or a brand-new role) onto General Hospital as I do think she’d be a fantastic, permanent asset to this soap.

Not to mention Cara and Anna Devane share an ex-husband, along with several friends, in common!

Cara never married David Hayward.

As usual, Scott, your comments are on the mark.

Awe, thank you Iakovos! I appreciate it!

I sure hope Kelly Monaco s back quickly. No one meets my expectations to be Sam, but Kelly herself.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Detective Fitzpatrick is on the Scene, Nina Has to Silence Jack, Josslyn Needs an Escape Route

Published

on

By

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital investigations, protection modes and conflict are the order of the day. In the just released ABC promo for the soap opera entitled “Held Captive,” first Lulu (Alexa Havins) is preparing to flea the country with Rocco (Finn Carr) if necessary including having passports ready and their bags packed.

However, with Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) having full-knowledge of Rocco shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and his own desire and plan to keep his son safe right in Port Charles, he firmly tells Lulu,“You will make my son a fugitive over my dead body!”

Meanwhile, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is trying to find a way out of captivity and as she moves her bed she finds a shocking message,“Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) was held captive here. I was taken on 10-31-25.” Suddenly, Josslyn is so panicked and determined. She tells herself she is going to get out of there. Next, we see her smashing a chair into someone’s face! Can she find a way out? Will Cassius (Ryan Paevey) be waiting for her to throw her back in?

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL SPOILERS

Nina (Cynthia Watros) is getting all jittery again, as it appears she has gone back into Jack Brennan’s (Chris McKenna) hospital room and is ready to inject him with another secret dose of the medication to keep him in a paralytic state, after she accidentally jabbed him during his brawl with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart). As viewers know, that dose of the drug meant to keep Drew in a locked-in state. However, now Jack starts to move!

In addition, General Hospital welcomes Jonathan Bennett to the cast as PCPD Detective Joe Fitzpatrick, and in key moment he is seen at the police station. As to just what Joe will be up to? Well, in an additional newly released clip featuring Bennett in his debut episode on Monday, it’s clear that Detective Fitzpatrick is looking into Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Isaiah’s (Sawandi Wilson) altercation at the Metro Court Pool when he says, “What are the chances Ashford talks his way out of an arrest? Curtis Ashford seems to be a very powerful guy around here. The kind of guy that’s used to getting a way with stuff.”

Take a look below at the official GH spoilers for the week of May 18-22.

MONDAY, MAY 18
Police detective Joe Fitzpatrick is called to arrest one of Port Charles’s own. Laura delivers an update about Anna. Joss makes a grim discovery. Jordan presses Justine about Sonny. Emma opens up to Felicia.

TUESDAY, MAY 19
Valentin pitches a new plan. Gio supports Emma. Rocco is frustrated. Dante sets Joe straight. Curtis briefs Jordan.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Alexis seeks assistance from Ava. Ethan makes a promise to Lulu. Britt makes a big decision. Valentin and Carly clash. Nina gets a shock.

THURSDAY, MAY 21
Alexis wants answers. Ethan pays a visit to Tracy. Dante summons “Nathan.” Britt has new reason to worry. Lulu prepares to make her move.

FRIDAY, MAY 22
Sonny and Ric compare notes. Willow delivers good news. Britt shares intel. Laura’s reaction surprises Lulu. “Nathan” makes a plea.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo and a preview clip of Jonathan Bennett’s first episode as Joe Fitzpatrick below.

Now weigh-in: Since Josslyn will knows Anna was also held captive by Sidwell and company, how will she make her escape plan? Do you think Lulu and Rocco will go on the run? Will Jack come to and the jig will be up for Nina, or will the two reach some deal to keep him quiet from tattling on her? And, are you enthusiastic about the debut of Jonathan Bennett? Let us know in the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’

Published

on

By

The on-screen father/son combo of General Hospital’s Dante and Rocco Falconeri as portrayed by Dominic Zamprogna and Finn Carr were part of high emotional stakes scenes on episodes airing May 11-15.

First, Finn Carr’s Rocco is so guilt-ridden and burdened with the secret that he shot WSB director, Ross Cullum that it’s eating him alive. So much so, that he gets into a heated argument with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) and Danny (Asher Antonyzyn). Rocco feels so badly that Danny’s father was taken from him for parts unknown by the WSB, all because Jason refused to implicate Rocco as the shooter.

In a heartbreaking scene, Rocco shows up at Britt’s door and lets her know he can’t take it anymore and that the secret he is keeping is tearing him apart. The fear is palpable in Rocco’s eyes. Britt calls Rocco a hero for saving her life and Jason’s and he has to remember that. Britt hugs him and promises that he can come talk to her anytime. In that moment, Rocco felt seen and felt safe.

Courtesy/ABC

ROCCO ON THE EDGE

All of the beats mentioned above were played with depth and acting maturity by Finn Carr; that it is so very clear why the writers and the producers are so comfortable giving him the ball in this umbrella story. He steps up to the plate every time and hits it out of the park.

Rocco also overheard his parents fighting over him after Dante figured out that Rocco was responsible for the shooting, and confronted Lulu (Alexa Havins) for withholding the truth from him. As their argument escalated and their relationship was further threatened by the lies, Rocco listened to the whole thing from the outside porch. 

Eventually Dante, who had learned the truth by having Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) help him piece together what happened the night Cullum was shot, has a heart to heart with his son. He asks Rocco to tell him in his own words the events that transpired, and promises Rocco, that even though he is the police commissioner, he is going to help him. Rocco goes step by step over how Cullum was about to strike Jason with a weighted-baton and how the gun was loose on the ground and he shot him. Dante says his actions saved Jason and Britt’s life, and that he is going to help his son from here on out. He just wished everyone had come to him sooner, because as the father it’s his job to protect his son, not the other way around.

DANTE COMES TO TERMS

Still later in the week, Dante is visited by Elizabeth, and they discuss how they are going to cover-up any evidence that Rocco was at the hospital the night of the shooting with a hand injury, and that Dante is going to make sure the evidence against Rocco disappears. Something that is a huge disconnect for anyone that knows what a fine and upstanding cop Dante has been through the years, but he is determined to help his son stay safe and to keep him close.

However, Cullum is on the hunt for said evidence, and thinks Danny may have shot him in the back (or does he … and he knows Rocco shot him?). He visits Dante’s office and wants the evidence in the shooting. Meanwhile, bets are we are a few story beats away from Danny learning Rocco shot Cullum.

Throughout all the material given to Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna they rose to the occasion. Finn, getting the opportunity to play the often uptight Rocco on the edge, and Dominic, showing us how he can make us feel what Dante is feeling just by watching the emotion and hurt in his eyes. Therefore, Michael Fairman TV names Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna our picks for the Power Performances of the Week.

Now below, let us know if you agree with our picks of Finn and Dominic as the standout performances of the week, and if so, what moment really tugged on your heartstrings featuring Rocco and/or Dante via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reflects on His Time with TV Parents Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson

Published

on

By

Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) took some moments to share stories and remembrances of two of the all-time greats of General Hospital, who also happen to have played his television parents, the late Stuart Damon (ex-Alan Quartermaine) and Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine).

The moment came during the release of Sunday’s all-new episode of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve and Bradford Anderson. The episode featured questions from fans of the actors; one of which was for Steve that asked, “What it was like working with Stuart and Leslie as your parents?”

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner, who is currently in the last part of his extended hiatus from the ABC soap, always talks fondly of Stuart and Leslie and often gets choked up doing so. Stuart Damon passed away back in June of 2021, while Leslie Charleson passed away more recently in January of 2025. Burton debut as a young teenaged Jason Quartermaine back in 1991, and as he tells it, without the influence and help of Stuart Damon, his GH career may not be where it is today.

Photo: JPI

STUART DAMON’S WORK ETHIC

“Stuart was super consistent in how he worked. Super structured. I learned a lot from Stuart about his work ethic, his discipline, showing up, treating people kindly, being grateful,” recalled Burton. “If that’s what you can learn from somebody … that’s amazing. It was just something special about being in the Quartermaines. We had something. It was a special family put together.”

As viewers know, just by watching the death of Monica Quartermaine episodes earlier this year, just how close in real-life Steve was to the late Leslie Charleson. “Leslie was a firecracker. You didn’t know what was going to happen or when it was going to happen,” shared Burton. “I always tell the story about how I would come in chewing gum. I was this little cocky teenager and she’d be like, ‘spit it out now!’  Leslie was such a nurturing person. She loved to help, and had amazing sense of humor. I couldn’t have had two better onscreen parents ever.”

GH did a complete about face with the character of Jason Quartermaine after his motorcycle crash on New Year’s Eve in 1995, and he became Jason Morgan, who is now one of the all-time most beloved characters in the history of the show. But as Burton explains it, it may not have happened if it wasn’t for Stuart Damon.

YOU GOT TO GIVE THIS KID A SHOT

“Stuart was the biggest cheerleader of mine. Not often does this happen where somebody would go up to the fifth floor to whoever’s the executive producer and he says, ‘You gotta give this kid a shot. Give him more, see what he can do.’ That was really nice of him,” acknowledged Steve. “So, if it wasn’t for Stewart … I always speak very highly of him because he was amazing, In real-life, Stuart was just a beautiful soul would give anything to anybody. I always give him credit and Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), because without the two of them there, I wouldn’t be where I am for sure.”

You can check out the entire episode of the latest edition of Steve and Bradford’s podcast below.

Now, let us know, do you think that Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson as Alan and Monica were two of the greatest TV parents in the history of soap operas? What did you think of Steve’s remembrances? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

13
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x