General Hospital
Lindsay Hartley Temporarily Replaces Kelly Monaco as General Hospital’s Sam McCall
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.
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
Could Justin Bruening Join ‘General Hospital’? Set Visit with Wife Alexa Havins Stirs Fan Hopes

Several famous couples met on All My Children; one of which is Justin Bruening (ex-Jamie Martin) and Alexa Havins (ex-Babe Carey, now Lulu Spencer, GH). The two met on the soap and married back in 2005 and share four children together. Fast forward to 2026 and Havins, who is currently in the middle of Lulu’s legal battle with Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), received a visit from her hubby on the set of the ABC soap opera.
Bruening took to his Instagram to share his visit to Port Charles with a series of very cute photos of the couple, which then lead fans to hope that a Justin sighting could potentially lead to a role on the show!
Taking to his social media, the first photo was captioned, “I’m lost….Can someone point me in the direction of a good hospital?” Next, Justin selected a pic with himself and his wife, sharing, “Oh! Here’s someone! Lulu, you say? Hmmm….That’s weird…you look familiar. Have we met?” In a follow-up photo, Bruening commented, “You’re cute….. What are you going to do with the rest of your life? I’m thinking……… 4 kids? House in the burbs? 1,001 pets?”

Photo: JPI
FROM PINE VALLEY TO PORT CHARLES
Then, Bruening included a photo of himself in front of the photo of his former on-screen brother, Michael E. Knight (ex-Tad, AMC) who now plays Martin Grey on General Hospital.
Taking to the comment thread was Alexa Havins’ on-screen son, Finn Carr (Rocco Falconeri) who shared, “This is amazing!” In addition to many fans who now hope that Justin might one day soon join the cast of GH.
“Does this mean you’re coming on GH or just visiting your beautiful wife,”expressed one fan. Another wrote, “Ooh, any chance we’re getting a cameo? Tell Alexa she’s my fave on the show.” Another had a casting idea, “Make Justin Bruening a Dillon Quartermaine recast!”
Alexa Havins played Babe from 2003-2007 on the beloved ABC soap opera, while Bruening played Jamie from on and off from 2003-2011 when the series was canceled by ABC.
Since his days in Pine Valley, Bruening has appeared on primetime in series including, Ravenswood, Grey’s Anatomy, and Sweet Magnolias.
Justin recently wrapped The Other Side of the Window, a thriller where the loglines share: “CEO Elise Dufoe must work with unconventional allies to clear her name after her husband dies mysteriously and she is framed for financial crimes.” The feature is said to be in post-production.
So, did you love seeing Justin and Alexa together in the new pics? Would you like to see Justin land a role on GH? If so, who should he be cast as? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Preview: Genie Francis Talks Historic Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Laura and Longtime Co-Star Tony Geary

On Friday, October 30, Genie Francis will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremonies. Ahead of her honor, Genie sat down with Extra host and Dancing with the Stars judge, Derek Hough to discuss her legendary soap career and enduring on-screen partnership with the late Anthony Geary (ex-Luke Spencer).
Speaking of joining GH as a young Laura Vining when she was just 14, Francis admitted, “It was so scary, I mean you don’t know what you don’t know. If I really knew what I was in for I would have been terrified.”
Genie will be presented with her Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband of 40 years, actor and director, Jonathan Frakes.

Courtesy/CBS
Commenting on being the recipient of the Daytime Emmys highest recognition, Francis expressed, it’s “a wonderful feeling of accomplishment,'” and on receiving the award from her husband, “It feels incredibly safe and takes a lot of my nerves out of it because I know he’s another one who’s just not going to let me screw up, right?”
THE LEADING MEN THROUGHOUT HER LIFE: JONATHAN FRAKES AND TONY GEARY
Speaking of feeling safe, Francis echoed that sentiment when getting teary-eyed over reflecting on her time as the all-time soap opera super couple, Luke and Laura with Tony Geary. Genie reflected, “I’m going to cry. He (Tony) made me who I am today. I learned so much from this man. He was so loving and so kind. She added about the famous dance at Wyndham’s department store between Luke and Laura, “If I was in his arms I could do it.”
That sentiment carried on for decades with Geary. Francis even admitted to Derek Hough, a secret, “I wear Tony Geary’s cologne. I just remember hugging him and smelling him and I said, ‘Oh, it smells so good.’ And he told me what it was and he said, ‘It’s unisex. You can wear it.’”

Courtesy/Extra
Up until now, its hard to believe that Genie has only won once at the Daytime Emmys. It was back in 2007 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category, where once on-stage to accept the gold statuette, she acknowledged Geary.
Genie continues to be humble regarding the impact and lasting impression she’s made on the soap genre saying to Hough, “I’ve never gotten my impact. I just don’t get it.”You can check out Extra’s segment with Genie Francis below.
Now weigh-in; are you happy and excited to see Genie being honored for her decades of work in the soaps? What has been your favorite storyline of Laura, or Luke and Laura through the years? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase and Brook Lynn Sign Divorce Papers; Are You Glad They Ended Their Marriage or Hoped for a Reconciliation?

Any hopes for a last minute reprieve were dashed when filled with sorrow, Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers in front of a judge in the Dominican Republic on the Monday, October 26 episode of General Hospital.
The judge asked if they really wanted to go through with this, as a teary-eyed Brook Lynn and Chase both hesitated to sign the court documents. They admit that neither of them wants to get divorced, but they both came to the conclusion that too much mistrust has permeated their relationship, and too much has happened between them to stay married.
With that, Brook Lynn decided to put her pen to paper first. She signs the divorce papers. Next, Chase follows suit. They look at each other with tears in their eyes that their marriage is officially over. When the judge went to filing their divorce papers, Chase and Brook Lynn agreed to split custody of baby Phoebe straight down the line 50/50.

Courtesy/ABC
THE END OF THE ROAD
Next, the judge returned and gave each a copy of their paperwork. Chase says to Brook Lynn that he thinks that they should each fly back to Port Charles separately, and that he would take another flight home. Chase says goodbye to Brook Lynn and exits. Now alone looking at the empty room, Brook Lynn utters,“Goodbye, Chase.”
Later in the episode, as Brook Lynn flies back home to Port Charles alone, she listens to the message from Tracy (Jane Elliot) telling her she is doing the right thing by divorcing Chase.
Cut to: an emotional Chase who went to the beach. He looked at his wedding ring. Mourning the loss of his marriage, Chase buried his ring in the sand, at the same time Brook Lynn was removing her wedding ring on the airplane.
The drama won’t stop from here for Brook Lynn, because as teased in the GH video spoilers preview for the week, Jude (Wil Traval) will come calling wanting to see his “daughter,” and potentially staking claim to baby Phoebe! As for Chase, now that he is a free man, will he begin a relationship with his ex-wife, Willow Tait (Katelyn McMullen), with whom he has been completely duped? Stay tuned.
So, were you happy that Brook Lynn and Chase actually ended their marriage? Were you hoping that the two would reconcile at the last minute and realize love can conquer all, or do you think they were being adult about the situation that they couldn’t get out of their own way and feelings to make their union work? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out the scenes from Chase and Brook Lynn’s divorce and its aftermath below.
-

Breaking News7 days ago53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
-

Beyond the Gates1 week agoTabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?
-

Interviews6 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Dish on Steffy, Finn & Carter, Daphne Baby Drama! (Exclusive)
-

Breaking News6 days ago2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
-

General Hospital1 week agoKin Shriner Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ TV Daughter Kelly Kruger
-
Beyond the Gates1 week ago‘Beyond the Gates’ and Daytime Emmy Nominee Mike Manning to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-
News1 week agoSusan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now
-

News3 days agoY&R’s Jason Thompson and Mark Grossman Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’











