General Hospital
Rick Hearst Returns to General Hospital as Ric Lansing!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Another casting great blast from the past from General Hospital! None other than very popular actor, and three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Rick Hearst is back filming at the ABC soap opera reprising his role as Ric Lansing, the brother of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard)!
According to Soap Opera Digest, Rick will first air on the upcoming February 24th episode! And when fans last saw Ric Lansing in 2009, he was headed out to Los Angeles, but left with these parting words: “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back.”
Hearst is also very familiar to soap audiences for his portrayal of Alan-Michael Spaulding on Guiding Light, Whip Jones on The Bold and the Beautiful, and Matt Clark on The Young and the Restless!
So what brings Ric back to Port Charles? Does he become involved in the Jerome vs. Corinthos mob war? What do you think about the news that Rick Hearst is returning to GH? Let us know!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
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WOW! February sweeps should be amazing! Can’t wait.
And this is the issue. Ron and Frank know that Franco, Silas, Kiki, Sabrina etc, do not drive ratings, yet these characters and their story lines dominate. They then bring in some vets to get people to tune in, and as you so astutely point out, during sweeps.
Actors and characters who generate ratings should be on contract and have main story lines. Doesn’t it stand to reason that ratings would be consistently higher? I think it’s pretty obvious what the pattern is here.
You have a valid point GH50.
I want rick back…hope he’s returning and that wasn’t just a tease…he’s one of my fav vets on the show great actor always has real chemistry on the show I want him back!!! But….I also want my boy steve Burton back to I’m so mad about that I could scream…want Robin back as well…I agree with previous posts concerning vets and newbies we need the vets with bigger story lines for sure…
I’ve been waiting for this! If only Faih Rosco wasn’t dead!
That has never stopped GH. How fun that would be.
I was teasinng Cynthia a while back that you never know! LOL!
Dead is NEVER dead!
awesome… i said it two weeks ago with Molly…that he was needed…now could be interested if he sides with Julian….
Rick is a great actor and the character of Ric Lansing has been missed. But I fear this is just more bait before the switch. Just more of the Ron/Frank shell game. The Newbies consistently dominate the show but then you get a vet returning to make sure people tune in. They’ll probably give in and meet Genie Francis’s demands and bring her back in the next few months as well, but not give Laura the proper story and respect she deserves.
They know the show can’t survive on the likes of Howarth, Castillo, Easton, Alderson etc, but instead of trimming their stories or cutting them entirely, they pull casting stunts with vets to get people to tune in, then when fans are just about disgusted and ready to tune out, they wave a treat in front of our faces so we come back.
I wish Ron and Frank would abandon their personal agenda and stop manipulating and then disappointing the fans. Why not just write and produce GH? Have the Vets and legacy characters have main story lines and include some newbies. I’m sure that formula would work and I bet ratings would be more consistent and higher.
And speaking of ratings, yes they were up during the polar vortex, the following week, Jan 13-17, ratings are down double digits. People tuned in and saw an entire week of Franco, Silas etc and didn’t rush to come back. Ratings will be up again this week Jan 20-24, but again, blizzard and freezing temps.
Every writer and producer has “an agenda,” or as I think of it, a vision for the show. Just because you don’t like what you see doesn’t mean there’s some evil plot happening behind the scenes at GH.
I think we are all upbeat and hope full about Genie Francis coming back I would hope with the Victor story that she would be back soon. All of her fans miss her a lot.
Not the same without Genie Francis–she adds class to GH. And, boy, is it ever in need of class, right now!
Yesss! Finally! He’s the one I’ve been waiting for, cannot wait to see him!
Me too! I’ve been waiting on his return. I hope it’ll be a good storyline!
See…old favorites return, so just because Kim M. is leaving at the moment to do her thang, she can always come back again if she wants to and has the time…so whether you like them or not…much of Gh’s renewed success is because of Frank and Ron. Now i agree the show has some problems but if it werent for the current regime i sincerly doubt we’d be commenting on the show right now…it wouldve been gone two years ago!
I have been waiting for this for at least a year. So excited he’s coming back!!
Always liked him. Hope it’s not just a short visit…lots of drams there…his history with Sam, Molly’s dad…Sonny’s brother…Alexis’ ex…will he be on the Corinthos side or lash out at his brother. Maybe a tryst with Ava? Hmmmm……
A tryst with Ava…not THAT would be interesting! She IS kinda like Faith Rosco!
haha! I had forgotten about Faith Rosco!
FABULOUS!!!!! his storyline did not end the way it was intended and lets hope his return has him on Sonny`s side!!!
Omggggg !!!!!!! Liz and Ric!!!!’
it’s about time!!
Love that he is coming back on GH!!! Can’t wait for all the drama!!! Alexis with all her baby daddies in town!!!
This is great news (even though I still want Spin back and won’t give up on it). I adored LiRic until the writers trashed them, so I’d love to see that rebuilt again. Plus, I think he’s a great actor and another one that can do anything. I just hope RC writes for him because RC is a lot of flash but not a lot of substance so far. I need something else to keep me tuned in on a regular basis.
i cant wait!!!! i love ric!!! welcome back!!!
I can only hope that Ric Lansing,/Sonny’s brother will be in Sonny’s 2 man mob to make Sony’s mob a 3 man mob!!
hahah haa ‘mob’ my hind end lol ..
It is two old gangsta’s trying to get even with each other from the past, long gone mob…
But!! their family situations are awesome!!
Love the “Jerome family they are so messed up lol..
Love the Corinthos family and all their problems..
It really is about the 2 families trying to take the other down, no actual mob involved..
I dont know why you keep saying there is no mob involved. Lol. Mob…mafia…organized crime…career criminals…murderers…whatever name you use it still means the same thing. Thats what they are….mobsters…and thats what they do….crime.
He is an awesome actor!!! Loved him as Matt Clark in y r. GH is taking all the best ones!! GH rocks!!
Oh, god, all we need is more of Sonny’s cronies. Blech.
Amen.
YAY!!! YAY!!! YAY!!!!!
This is sooooooo AWESOME!!!!
So glad he’s back in Soap Land. His role as Alan-Michael is one of my earliest soap memories.
Yes!! Love this guy and love the character. Can you say Ric/Alexis/Julian triangle?!
Love that he is coming back. Looking forward to seeing Molly & RIc’s reunion. Heck looking forward to Sonny & Ric, Liz & Ric, Alexis & Ric too!
Great news, love Rick Hearst and his GH character Ric Lansing.
Love him. I can’t wait to see him.
I know I’m in the minority but I like the Jerome/Corinthos Mob war. I’ve been saying that Sonny needs someone to lean on that isn’t Sean, Duke or Olivia but family. I wanted Ric Lansing to come back from the start and I’m so glad he’s coming back. I know they have too many people on the show but he is welcome. Hope he stays long term (and get rid of Nathan).
You are not in the ”minority”
There are millions who like the mob stuff, it is just that they are all happy about those stories and are not on the boars complaining and bitching about it, ‘cus we are a happy mob lovers, no complaints..
We are legion!! We are are many!! We are the silent happy fans!!
does this mean Liz will bet a story or airtime then hey welcome back, but we’ll see!
Now if only they could get Tamara Braun back as the REAL Carly and have Laura Wright’s character as a fake, that would be marvelous.
He was overused in the past. His rivalry with Sonny went stale years ago . Hopefully. A new angle and a short stay
Ric with Ava Jerome would really rock the house! Just sayin! For everyone complaining about Frank and Ron, Would you rather have that soap killing dictator Jill farren Phelps back? I will gladly let you take her as she is killing my favorite soap Y&R.
So “Ms. 3X3’s” trio of babydaddies will finally be complete, present and accounted for on the GH canvas….nice one, just what Port Charles needs: another creepy freak blast from the past…as if Scotty and his gross, sleazy, disgusting love scenes with Lucy aren’t stomach-churning enough…now we’ll have another twisted legacy predator to lurk in Port Charles! And yet, Noah Drake can’t return with all the upheaval in his son’s life? The Frisco-dissing continues so as to further tarnish his character’s reputation, making a return highly unlikely and the nearest Blackie will seemingly ever reach to making a reappearance in his hometown will be on those adorable yogurt spots that run between the show’s scenes.
Why are they bringing him back? To wreck his character just like they did to all the vets. Glad I stopped watching this show so I don’t have to watch them destroy more of the vets but sad I waited two years to years to stop. I have watch GH for 38 years but it should of been 36 years with all the crap they have written.
What do you mean, “wreck his character?” His character was a spineless POS to begin with! We are talking about the guy who chained a pregnant woman to a wall and kept her hidden while he was married to Liz! This is the man who tried to take Molly away from her mother who was fighting cancer! Who threatened to send Alexis to jail for smoking pot to relieve her pain if she didn’t give up custody of Molly. And this is the same man who is weak and impotent standing in the shadow of his half brother Sonny. I hate that he’s coming back. It just may be what keeps me from watching altogether. I would rather watch Robin and her self-righteous, judgmental, bossy attitude every day than see Rick come back. And make no mistake, he is NO vet. Please don’t ever put him the same category as Luke, Laura, Monica, and Tracy. THEY are vets.
Thank you, Rusty! I can totally understand people enjoying Hearst as an actor based upon his previous soap characters, but I’ll never get how one can derive pleasure from his portrayal of Ric. That is one very sick, slimy dude and I was thrilled when he left Port Charles the last time around…..the whole Sonny, Trevor, Ric storyline was disgusting, as was the Sam-Ric romp. I realize at the time KM’s role was that of a bad girl who detested her birth mother and was seeking revenge, but since then she has evolved into a much better person and a mother herself, so I hardly look forward to her being reminded of her darker days. Unnecessary, just plain unnecessary….
Outstanding news! GH just keeps getting better and better!
I have some well-intentioned advice to the GH fans who don’t like show right now. Write a letter explaining what you don’t like about the show and why. Send it to Frank Valentini and all of the executives at ABC. This would be a rational way to share your opinion with people who have the ability to change the show. Posting theories about how Valentini and Ron Carlivati are purposely shutting out veterans, have “an agenda” or are secretly working to get the show canceled and other wild conspiracy theories are not helping your cause or the actors you care so much about– and I know you do. These posts just make you seem loony and therefore not listened to.
I really think RH is a great talent but somehow they will screw this up unless it is a pet of RC or a newbie he just can’t write for them. Have not been impressed by one past actor he has brought back. Anna/FH started out fine now she is presented as a keystone cop.
Excellent news! Great actor, great character. GH continues to be on fire!
Glad Ric Lansing is back! We know Molly will be happy but what about Alexis and Liz?
OMG!! He is such a great actor.. Thank You, my prayers have been answered.. :0
why is everyone complaining about GH?? Yes its been slow lately but there is always the calm before the storm!! Don’t worry it will be must see TV soon enough!!!!!!
Sarah Brown and Laura Wright have been the best Carlies, not Tamara Braun.
Rick is brilliant! Am SO looking forward to seeing him on screen.
Glad to see Rick coming back!!!
I think Rick should be the Jerome family attorney.
Uncle rick will hook up with Ava n poor little Morgan will not like that yet another family member has stolen another gf..
How about Rick some how being the one that rescues Carly?
Yeah Dante needs to meet his uncle..hmm how will that work out I wonder.
Ohhhh I missed this notice. awesome!
It would be nice if he came back with family loyalty. Hes a great actor and nice on the eyes let him be arrogant in a good way. Please no more sleezy schemes like before
Ric is back because he is funding Baird Enterprises which funds Julian Jerome. Ric has always wanted to get revenge on Sonny and this is his revenge. He will reconnect with Molly. If Nicolas does not go back to Elizabeth, Ric will. This should set up an interesting dynamic and then there wil be play between Alexis and Ric. Ava will likely make a play but that will interfere with her plan to off her brother. No funding no family. Molly will have her father back. How will that play into the mix. Welcome back Ric. You always prove to be amazing.
Super excited!
thrilled he’s back !!!!!
Ric is so great on gh! Super excited to see where the relationship goes with Elizabeth this time. Hope Ric turns things around with everyone and can be portrayed as a good guy on the show and stick around for a very long time! Rick Hearst is so talented and attractive- he truly adds a lot to the show! He’s a Keeper!