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Maurice Benard Clarifies Two-Week ‘General Hospital’ Exit and Sonny ‘Recast’ Rumors; Gives Props to Executive Producer Frank Valentini

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: JPI

Back in July, General Hospital’s Maurice Benard opened up about his recent mental health struggle which kept him out for two weeks of taping all-new episodes on the ABC soap opera in his signature role of Sonny Corinthos.

In what was a dark time for Maurice as he described, things took a nosedive after his son, Joshua, and wife, Paula left for a trip to Europe. At the time of the taping of his special episode of State of Mind (where he just spoke to the cameras about what he had gone through), Benard revealed that if he had taken off another week of work from GH (he already been gone for two), the show would probably have had to recast.

At that time Benard shared, “If I had to stay away another week. They would have to recast. And I’ll tell you right now, if they had to recast I’d have been in really bad shape.” Now, on Tuesday, August 13th, Maurice took to his Instagram to clarify his statements and that in no way did GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini put any pressure on him to return or threaten him with a ‘recast.’

Photo” ABC

Benard expressed: “I want to clarify something. During a rough period recently, I spoke about being recast and I can’t tell you how generous and great, and amazing Frank Valentini was during that period. I guess it kind of seemed that some people thought that he was threatening me in in some kind of way to recast if I didn’t come back, and that wasn’t the case at all. He was exact opposite. Frank is very, very generous when it comes to that, forever, since I’ve known him. So, it all worked out.”

Accompanying the video post, Maurice wrote, “During one of my State of Mind’s, I mentioned that I could be temporarily recast if I didn’t get back to work. And I totally understood Frank Valentini and General Hospital were nothing less than incredible. Frank spoke to my wife, Paula every day, and spoke to me nothing but generous. 2 weeks is a long time, and I was so ready to get back to work!!!”

Since GH usually tapes about 6 weeks ahead of air, coming up, viewers will see a Sonny-less soap opera for some episodes, before Benard came back, and as he details on State of Mind , taped 8 episodes in a week to catch back up.

Photo: JPI

Benard, who suffers from bipolar disorder, shared that he leaned on many friends and family members during this harrowing time in his July video. The three-time Daytime Emmy-winner gave special thanks to: Jonathan Jackson (Lucky), Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda), Shelley Curtis, (ex-producer, GH), wife, Paula, son, Joshua, and daughters,  Cassidy and Cailey, among others.

So, glad to know things all worked out and Maurice will be back in action sooner than later, and that there was no Sonny recast during his time away? Comment below.

 

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No one could ever play the part of Sonny, only Maurice Bernard.

I’m glad you are doing well

I appreciate his honesty about his mental health. Also, that he cleared up any misconceptions.

Prayers for Maurice. I admire him for his honesty and for bringing awareness to others. I’m relieved he is loved by so many people and was able to get through this rough patch with their help.

Glad Sonny is “back” and feeling better but have to say his ordeal did not affect his performance , and as far as I was. concerned, probably made his scenes more believable, just sorry he was having a hard time of it getting through all the pain and angst.Am sure all his fans appreciate how much he had to put himself through to give us continued good performances.

Seems to be confusion over what scenes were taped when and how much of a gap there might be in Sonny actually appearing on screen, due to his absence. But according to what both Maurice & Bryan Craig said on the State of Mind episode which aired this past Sunday, the episode with Sonny & Morgan on the roof was actually taped on the first day Maurice came back from his unplanned “hiatus”.

Also, Steve Burton & Bradford Anderson on their Daily Drama podcast have indicated that – because GH production was on a scheduled shutdown for the entire month of July – that the turn around from taping to airdate is a much shorter time period than usual, and that they have both taped scenes since the beginning of August which have already aired. They also said – without getting into specifics – that they had also taped some scenes that were connected to other things originally taped BEFORE the July break, which to me sounds like writing changes might have forced some scenes to be redone.

So between those two different “inside” accounts of what’s going on at GH, I’m thinking there won’t be any extended absence of Sonny on screen. And thank all that’s unholy for that!

No one could replace Banard as Sonny and do such an amazing job. He fits the part perfectly.

I too have struggled my entire adult life with mental health issues. You are my inspiration.
I believe whatever the outcome it is God’s plan for your best interest. It’s funny to love someone you’ve never met but I genuinely feel love for you as Sonny and the man who has lived so courageously. God Bess you and your family.

I don’t trust him. He is using Carly for some plot.

I hope GH just never has someone tamper with Sonny’s medication again.

I find it very hard to watch knowing Maurice suffer the same condition in his real life.

Thanks goodness , Maurice is OK and it worked out with GH. It sounds like he has a GH family there

Glad he seems to be doing better. Mental illness is a b*tch (I have bipolar also)! I’m also glad Sonny is doing better. Now if Sonny and Carly could reunite I’d be ecstatic!

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

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Sonny, Dante, Michael, Brook Lynn General Hospital

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!

Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).

GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Sonny and Dante

Courtesy/ABC

A VISIT WITH DAD

Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.

Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!

Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.

Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!”  The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Michael and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR

While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).

Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.

An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process.  As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”

CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER

At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.

Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.

So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section,  but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.

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General Hospital

GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof

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Tajh Bellow and Loren Lott

Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.

Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of  The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.

In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?

The Compatibility Experiment

Photo: HOORAE

The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.

The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.

General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.

Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.

Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

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Drew and Ava

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).

In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.

Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Maura West

Courtesy/ABC

BOATHOUSE BRAWL

In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.

Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.

However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Rocco

Courtesy/ABC

Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.

WILL SCOUT WISE UP?

At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.

Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.

So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired 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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