General Hospital
Roger Howarth Returns to General Hospital and Debuts His New Character
Thursday was a special day for longtime fans of General Hospital and those of fan favorite Roger Howarth. Today, Howarth returned in his new role on the ABC daytime drama series, who’s name is “Austin” and that viewers learn is a doctor, and that is all we know thus far.
General Hospital and Howarth previously noted that even though he was killed-off a few months ago as Franco Baldwin after he was shot in a struggle with Peter August (Wes Ramsey) that he would make his re-emergence on the canvas sometime in May.
Now with summer right around, Howarth is back. When we first see his new soap incarnation of “Austin”, he comes to the rescue of Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms), who has gone into labor and found her way into the woods to escape the clutches of evil Nurse Chloe (Kimberly J. Brown) and Peter’s machinations.
And … as she just so happens to need a doctor, lo and behold there is Austin in the woods from what appears to be a hike, who ultimately helps deliver Maxie’s baby girl. Trouble is, at the end of the episode, it appears that baby Louise might not be breathing.
In a summer preview for GH, in the brand new issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands this weekend, GH head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor teased, “Roger’s new character has an interest in a prominent Port Charles family. He’ll shake up the canvas in surprising ways as summer unfolds.”
So, were you happy to see Roger back on GH today? Do you like that he is seemingly playing a doctor? Share your theories on his new character”Austin” via the comment section. But first check out, Howarth’s debut as Austin in the clips below.
WATCH: Maxie doesn’t have any choice but to accept help from the handsome stranger in the woods. #GH pic.twitter.com/brZjflYin9
— General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) May 28, 2021
I don’t get the point of this at all. First he was Todd from Llanview. Then he became Franco from Fruitlandia, and now he’s Austin from the Woods and a dang doctor to boot. The only way this works for me is it becomes a longstanding gag. Kill him every two years and BAM, he’s somebody new altogether. Waiting on that to happen would deffo keep me tuning in just for that.
Maybe he comes back as Austin to take down Peter. It’s going to be confusing to the boys especially Cam
Nope, because the writers made it seem that Austin doesn’t look like Franco to anyone. Franco is gone for good and Austin is a brand new character with no resemblance to Franco. SUCKS!!! However, I’m glad Roger is back. I guess there won’t be anymore FRIZ.
BBWSTL
I have finally convinced myself that only the fans see any resemblance to Franco. Many actors have returned to a soap to play a different part, but usually after a few years, not weeks. The whole thing was totally stupid and uncalled for in my opinion. It looks to me as if it wasn’t only a bunch of viewers that didn’t like R.H’s part but also TPTB, for them to even consider doing this.
I agree! They should have made it at least where the people in Port Charles recognize the fact that he looked like someone they once knew.
Exactly! Could have been an amazing storyline. Now its just weird
I agree !! I love this show, but bringing him back so soon and not even mentioning his resemblance to Franco was, and everyday is, ridiculous. To have Scott and Franco’a wife not see that is just plain stupid writing.
You summed it up perfectly! I totally agree with you!
It would have been more believable if Maxie would have commented on how friggen much he looked like Franco!!! Has she gone blind???
Similar to how Hamilton Finn has never been mentioned as looking like Silas Clay nor John McBain before him, the switch with Howarth’s characters will be handled the same way.
Franco Baldwin bore no resemblance to Todd Manning.
The main difference this time is the extremely short window (less than 2 months) and the fact the previous character (Franco) is still part of an ongoing storyline. Silas was in the ground for many months before Finn came along, and the OLTL characters were never referred to again once they were forced to depart.
Maybe in flashback or photos, they’ll just pretend James Franco was the character all along.
But that was further apart. Franco hasn’t been dead that long
Is John McBain the name of Finn’s character when he was a vampire and Kelly Monaco was his girlfriend way back in the day? I don’t even remember what soap that was on.
John McBain was when he was a cop on One Life to Live.
Diana
You do bring up an interesting twist…
On “Port Charles”, Caleb Morley was the name the vampire went by. He was revealed to be Stephen Clay. The character occurred briefly on GH while Easton appeared as John McBain.
When Silas was brought on, he revealed himself to be Stephen’s brother (I think Lucy mistook Silas for Stephen and threatened him at Kelly’s if I recall).
So, while Silas resemblance to his brother was mentioned, there was nothing said that Silas looked like John or Finn.
That was Port Charles
Yes he was John McCain, OLTL.
No John McBain was on OLTL
And later came to GH when OLTL went off the air. Same with Todd and Star Manning. Micheal dated Star for a moment before the the actress became the first Kiki.
Port Charles
I thought the same thing. At least on other soaps they acknowledge it. But the resemblance doesnt seem to matter on GH at all.
Great point. I wish they would decide to make it more believable by having Austin be Francos long lost twin. Now that Maxie hasn’t recognized him that wouldn’t work I guess.
Perfect solution.
Yeah, but they explained it. With Franco and Silas they have no link between the two characters.
Totally agree. How could Maxie not comment that he looks exactly like Franco. I really thought that they were going to have Franco just play dead to trap Peter
Maxie was in labor…
my thoughts exactly — soon as she SAW him there should have been a mention or a look of confusion at least on Maxie’s face — i LOVE Roger but this is beyond stretching our disbelief
That is so true, I thought the same thing;
I totally agree. I was wondering why she didn’t say, you look just like someone I know. I thought maybe he didn’t die and would claim he was somewhere recuperating.
That’s the first thing I thought! Whenever a new character arrives that’s played by an old actor nobody ever says wow you look familiar!
I was thinking the same thing! I was waiting for Maxie to say, Are you Franco’s twin brother????
I agree! I really think it’s stupid when they bring back a character as someone else. I didn’t like him as Franco and I won’t like him in this roll it’s just too ridiculous!
It’s a soap opera a lot of people didn’t want Franko dead I’m happy he is back now waiting for Sonny to make it home. Don’t read in to it so much
I am happy the actor is back! I just don’t care who he is playing. He is darn good. A Soap is just another genre to escape for a bit. I hope he is related to the Quatermain’s and continues to be a good person.
I think he was great actor as being Franco I think it’s stupid to have him come back as a totally new character
I know. Exactly what I thought. Stupid story lines. You would think she would be shocked
Well they did the same with Michael Easton. He’s been 5 characters
those were my thoughts too, and today Elizabeth reacted the same way, give us a break here!
No one ever told Finn he looked like Silas either. That always bothered me. I mean, when Austin rolls into PC, Liz and Cameron have to feel as if they are seeing a ghost!
This isn’t any different from when Michael Easton came back to the show and made his debut as Finn…after having played Caleb Morley/Stephen Clay, John McBain and Silas Clay. The show knows that the fans aren’t “idiots” and they have faith that we have the capacity to understand the business at hand.
I love this. Ha Haaaa
Leave it alone altogether, it sounds like a bunch of jealous people who don’t know what they want ,or like for that matter!
I was laughing so hard when watching this new Roger with Maxie, but not when Louise wasn’t breathing…Donna
I’m with you Donna..when Austin picked up that blue cloth and put it on Louise, I had a frightful flashback to Roger’s portrayal of pre-tumor removal, Franco! Glad it didn’t play out that way.
I thought he was probably an angel.
Believe me, there are no angels that look like Frodd!
Awesome idea, Roger Howarth FOREVER! Hey GH, run a poll and let the viewers vote what career path we want him to follow.
Roger by far the best actor of soaps. Love that guy
AGREE
nobody seems to recognize him, so he will be easily accepted as Austin. Franco really is dead/done – I think.
Is this all a DREAM???? Who remembers Dallas?????
Can’t be….
Dallas only threw away one season on the “dream” scenario. For GH to save itself, they would have to pretend like all of Port Charles has been asleep since February 2012. That’s one HELL of a long nap.
EXACTLY WHAT THE HECK KINDA OF CONTRACT DOES THAT ACTOR HAVE WITH ABC? Ridiculous! There are plenty of other good actors!
Not Todd and not Frodd. That’s an improvement already.
As to who he IS…. well, what are the odds that a doctor just happens to be hiking through the woods right when Maxie goes into labor (shirtless in May, no less??)
So let’s hope he’s not also on the Whiny Heiny payroll, like the fake nurse is. Though it doesn’t seem logical that Frank Valentini would sabotage the latest incarnation of his pet by immediately tying him to the most hated man in Port Charles (who will be in Hell within a matter of days, given this flash forward scene with the stairs). Based on that, it looks like Austin might be a doctor for real…. and you can bet your soul he’s about to get a job at GH.
Haven’t mentioned his last name yet, but doesn’t “Austin” sound like a name that somebody might give their kid if they were from Texas? And wasn’t Jimmy Lee Holt from Texas?? I’m sticking with my prediction that this new character will be a long lost Quartermaine cousin from that branch of the family tree.
So Dr. Austin Holt, maybe??
Satan…speaking of shirtless, it looks like Roger has been working out. He sure never showed that side of himself as Franco. Also I can’t help but feel there is some fantasy going on since Maxie escaped into the woods. Something otherworldly, not real.
Admittedly I haven’t paid much attention to whether or not he’s fully clothed in all of his characters, but it’s my understanding from reading sites like this one, that Roger has a few tattoos on him, one of which includes his real life wife’s name. Now that could be problematic if two or more characters who aren’t supposed to be related turn up with the same ink. And a whole other problem if that ink has the name of somebody the character shouldn’t know. Maybe that’s why he wouldn’t show “that side” of himself before??
With the presumably clean slate of a new character, you could always write the tattoo with the name in it as part of the character’s back story. And should they decide to pair him up with anybody in Port Charles, the back story could always include the wife’s tragic death. Why not? they wrote two of Michael Easton’s characters with dead wives. Or at least one dead wife and one long term comatose vegetable…. until they decided to wake her up and turn her into Nina.
rose
Sorry, he looks the same to me, then again I thought he looked ok before. He’s still kind of pale skin, not as tan as you’d think someone would be hanging out with Mother Nature and the bears, which he acts like he’s been doing for a while. Can’t wait to see where this leads.
Satan
Right again. Tell us that don’t know the Holts who they were/are. How did Austin find Scotty? They act like they already knew each other. How ironic for Scott to be representing Austin.
Why??? This was the perfect chance to bring him back as Todd.
Hola… it crossed my mind… what an opportune time to see “Franco” return to the fold…. wait for it
Ms. Kelly Sullivan : ex Connie.
I want Franco back for the boys especially Cam
I was having a fit because Roger wasn’t back I was ready after all these years to kick gh to the curb the only thing I wouldn’t like is if there’s no connection from him to Elizabeth they always seem to take her man but I’ll take Roger any way I can have him!!!
I agree I’ll take Roger any way I can see him!
He should have been left with Liz and the kids it’s rare these days to see relationships last
Really sad they ruined the BEST relationship (Franco/Liz) and family in soaps for this!
I agree…the writers should be fired. The writer brought Franco back as Dr Austin now let him expose Peter. Now Cam will have it really bad.
I agree.. Liz and Franco and family were pretty darn special.. guess GH is only partial to gangsters and not ifamilies.
Exactly, I don’t get it. I am getting closer every day to quit watching GH, and I have been watching since I was 9! I am now 52.
I couldn’t stand Franco and Liz glad they ended it
Judy,
I thought I was the only one who felt that way! They need to do a better job of matching couples up. Also so happy that Finn ( who should have stayed John McBain on GH) & Anna broke up, that was a terrible match.
I agree Franco/Liz Made the Perfect couple Couple and turned it in two a family. I think bringing him back as a doctor in the woods is crazy
You know there are many kinds of doctors and maybe he isn’t the obvious kind. Maybe he’s a tree doctor, ha, or a veterinarian, etc,etc.
Agreed. Roger’s one of those actors who can create smoldering chemistry with a freaking brick. He’s always a favorite of mine. I was so excited when he was brought on as Todd Manning. But, I understand that behind the scenes there was ownership conflict between GH/OLTL with the characters. That’s why OLTL actors and their characters were pulled. I think only two returned as different characters. I thought GH writers totally screwed up bringing RH back as Franco. That character is so identified with James Franco as the originator. That’s why I feel our RH should have been allowed to create his own character.
Thank god he’s no longer Franco!
Based on the writers comments, could it be the Q mansion is getting yet another resident? Monica is certainly generous with her house that Alan gave her (because he was an idiot).
One of my favorite Edward & Lila moments had him complaining about “the interlopers and hangers on” that stayed in the mansion. Sweet Lila replied “but Edward I love the interlopers and hangers on”.
It is a bit off-putting how soon they introduced a new character (whose resemblance to two former characters will likely never be mentioned). So for Howarth and Easton, they both have at least Three Lives to Live.
Steve, thanks for that reminder of Lila and Edward moment as well as your other humorous musings.
We once were subjected to a head writer that for the life of him, couldn’t help but kill off members of core families (specfically, the Quartermaines). Now we have head writers that can’t help but introducing new characters that have no familial connections to anyone.
Or even worse, they have familial connections that make no sense at all. As in Chase being the son of Jackie Templeton… who hadn’t been heard of since 1982, and really didn’t need to be heard of again. Let alone the ridiculous idea that Valentini’s other pet is now supposed to be his “father”. Though it’s obvious that Cyrus the Virus had that paternity test rigged (another one of those plot points that seems to have been left out there, unresolved, for months at a time)
You don’t know who he does and does not have connections to… Good Lord, he’s only been on one day! I’m excited to have Roger back on my screen without him being a serial murderer or a rapist. That’s a win in my book!
This just gets nuttier and nuttier. I can almost write this myself. I knew Nina will fall for’Mike’ aka Sonny..jason and Britt got close..”Brook Lynn up to her eye balls
On and on. I only continue to watch is it’s mindless brain fodder to watch before going to sleep.
I have three days of GH stored up to watch this weekend, so I’m excited to see what will/has happen. Glad Roger is back. Not so glad he isn’t Franco ~ I was hoping against the odds, I guess. Now I’m really sad for the Baldwin family. I thought Elizabeth might get a happy reprise. I figure Austin is going to be a Quartermaine. OR, did Heather give birth to triplets and he’s Franco’s brother? Whatever, I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Oh, I have another wild theory! Austin’s a doctor from Nixon Falls who is persuaded to move to Port Charles when it’s discovered that he is a Q or Baldwin. He won’t leave the small town until the clinic is stable and only if Phyllis, his highly values co-worker, (and Lenny) agree to go with him. Nina decides she’s finished her “business” in Nixon Falls and returns to PC. “Mike” gets Sonny’s memories back and decides he can run the small town of NF in a more peaceful fashion and decides to stay there; letting his family continue to think he’s dead. Nina agrees to keep his secret and we all live happily ever after.
Rodd – love your “Mike” theory. If we could only have nice things like that. The characters in PC are so much more vibrant with Sonny out of the picture. Jason (and Britt) are can’t miss soapiness. Heck, Carly as mob queen is interesting to watch.
If Phyllis (and Lenny) move to PC, one of them has to be related to Jordan. On the show for 9 years, we have no idea what Jordan’s maiden name is nor know anything about her upbringing prior to meeting the Ashfords. For whimsy’s sake, I’ve decided her maiden name is Simpson, which means she had two Ashford & Simpson marriages (neither one of which was Solid as a Rock).
Love your remark about Ashford and Simpson. Solid as a Rock was one of my favorite songs by them. Thank you for the reference and the memory!
Steve, loved your comment. I did read somewhere that Phyllis is possibly related to Portia.
Love it!
Steve
Hi, did not understand the Simpson reference but so glad it was cleared up. I thought that you meant O.J.
He could be Rick Webber’s son since you guys made Jason a twin and we know Susan Moore only had one kid. Please stop saying Peter killed Franco, they fought over that gun so he could have shot himself. So much nutty stuff that could make better story lines.So much unfinished story lines.
Are the characters on-screen just not going to address the fact that Austin looks EXACTLY like Franco mere months after his supposed death, while his murderer is still running around a free man? This is lunacy.
At least when Michael Easton kept returning as new characters, it was addressed that Silas looked exactly like John McBain, and Finn looks exactly like Silas. Characters didn’t just glance over this with nary a comment.
Hey Jimmy
The visual similarities between Easton’s characters were not addressed. Once John McBain (and Todd & Starr) was forced off the show, they were not mentioned again. And Kiki worked at the hospital with Finn yet never mentioned how much he and her father resembled each other.
Maybe, just maybe it has to do with the memory transfers?? Jason did start out following in his parents footsteps as being a doctor!? Maybe he will be coming back with Young Jason’s memories? Dr Albright definitely has a hand in this situation if so. Or… Maybe there was triplets! I agree, this is getting a little too weird!
“Young Jason” didn’t have his memories stored on a flash drive. He had them knocked out of his head by his drunken idiot brother.
I think they’re done with the brain mapping nonsense… unless Drew Cain comes back one day, and decides he wants his own life back.
Satan
Per your last sentence, one can only hope. By the way, did that nurse make it to your gates o.k? That sure seemed like that’s where she was headed.
Yeah… she fell down that hole… and kept going!
let’s say; it’s Roger Howarth time to “earn” his keep. he developed’ NOTHING as Franco. WASTED YEARS gone by… at our expense. generated no ratings. his fan base is OLTL leftover. STAR dropped eon ago…. hey
give Michael Easton a hug… how does he manage to belong
I was curious as everyone I’m not sure why they insist on having a actor that they like and keep killing them off it’s like nine lives of a cat I read up on the soap but no I don’t watch anymore not sure why they keep playing musical chairs with him and the actor Michael Easton ?
Yes i am glad he is back. I just want maxie to get away from that nurse.
I was confused. Did Maxie not think he looked like Franco?? Weird.
I was confused did Maxie not notice he looked like Franco?? #weird
First I thought Austin was In Maxi’s imagination, everything was so cut and dried so to speak, even the umbilical cord, did she use her teeth? The whole thing was ridiculous. It says he has ties to a prominent family, the Q’s are the first to come to mind. Austin will probably wind up at GH and meet up with Elizabeth. Do you think she’ll notice the Franco look-a-like sans the scruffy look, Maxi didn’t blink an eye.
Ever since Sam gave birth to Scout without taking off her pants, I’ve given up on the show making childbirth anything close to reality. As Austin was hiking, maybe he had a pocketknife?
They rarely show umbilical cords being cut on TV unless it’s a prime time hospital show with a big effects budget. But most hikers carry knives with them for any number of reasons, and a hiker who is also a doctor would probably have a decent “first aid kit” with him.
It does seem unlikely that nobody would notice his resemblance to Frodd, but maybe that’s a good sign that they’re trying to put that ridiculous character in the past completely. Once his murderer, Whiny Heiny, is in Hell where he belongs (which will be soon, by all indications) there’s not really any story left to be told about a twice-dead serial killer with 666 failed “redemption” stories.
These writers are the worse I just hope someone sees this real soon.they are losing viewers everyday.i would have liked it if somehow they brought him back as Franco.this storyline is ridiculous.
Not losing me. Been watching since 1969, when our son was born.
I don’t know what to make of this yet, its bizarre that they are going in the direction of EVERYONE pretending he doesn’t look like Franco, but I’m jumping the gun here cause I don’t really know how they (GH) is going to play this out. Its hard to imagine why they got rid of Franco and all that history if the rumors are true that the show had to get rid of the character because of his past(serial killer) and couldn’t bring in Todd for his past too(rapist), appearantly Disney put their foot down, surely the show isn’t gonna come right out and say it, but does anyone have a better explanation on why they got rid of Franco the character? The show got some explaining to do, I’m sure there’s a lot of viewers who don’t get on the internet and are just really confuse by the switcheroo. And most importantly where does this leave poor Elisabeth? we can forget Jason, he’s going through a midlife crisis and getting it on with the Hot Britch. seeing horny Jason was gross, this show has a bunch of couple all mixed up, Sonny is all horny and looking like he will need a viagra with Nina(how cute best friend Sonny and Jason are getting it on with the Crazy cousins) Sam is looking all thirsty at Dante, and Michael has been paired with Willow, I don’t get how two hot looking people can be so boring together, get her back with Chase. But back to Roger Howarth new row, I saw on Instagram somebody refer to his new character as Todd Franco Austin, lol, now that was funny and perfect the Todd camp and Franco Camp can dream he’s now both and now Austin too. So here’s to Todd Franco Austin, welcome also three to GH.
I love that Howarth is back and playing a doctor. So glad he was there to help Maxie and her baby. But, please bring Sonny back home to his family.
I will take RH any character they write for him….Todd and Franco were bad guys who were redeemed. Maybe they want to give this new character a clean slate who knows I don’t know I’m not a writer of soaps…. Just glad he’s back… I think it’ll be fun to see what they have in store for him….
No! I wished they would have left his character of Franco alone. Do not understand why they did this.
I hate that they took a good story line with Elizabeth and the boys then tossed it away.
Some i know quit watching.
I am confused as to why they did that? Were the writers tired of Franko? Did Roger not want to play franko?
What is the point.
I’ll take RH anyway I can get him as Todd Franco whoever…. He’s been a favorite of mine since I used to watch one Life to live… This new character has a clean slate so who knows what will happen but I’m excited to see what that is call Roger!
Why doesnt Maxie recognized that the dr looks like Franco? ( confused)
I think Dr. Austin ????? Will be the new chief of staff at G.H.
I’m glad he’s back he will always be Todd to me great actor.
Maxie talked too much its sounded fake. Roger I’m happy to see.
I want Franco back from the dead everyone comes back back from being dead why not Franco plus hecut his hair to shórt . Or you could of brought him back back as Todd . Don’t care for his part now . Still love him though always every since One Life to live he’ll be Todd to me always .
We want Franco back
Not everybody does. I grew to tolerate Franco (mainly because Peter took his place as the main character that shouldn’t be on the show).
As Franco, Roger had great chemistry with the characters around him (Elizabeth, Cam, Scotty, Liesl).
I was surprised they killed off Franco, but appreciate Roger’s talent. Despite the decision not to mention his resemblance to Franco, I’m actually intrigued by how Austin will fit in.
I am going to trust the writers with this new character Austin. I like the look and fact that Howarth is playing a doctor. Hoping he is a good guy. Looking forward to more story line coming. To those upset with this new character Austin in looking like Franco, wake up people in real life have look alikes. Get over it.
Bring back Franco and bring back Sonny. Sonny been gone way too long what up with the writers
I’m so glad Roger is back. But I loved him since Todd. Now he and Maxie are back, Hmmmmmmmm. Can’t remember them together on One Life to Live, but I’m glad they are match. Thank you General Hospital.
I like that Franco is back period. I hated that he was killed off. Maybe he’s a twin after all, to take revenge on Peter, that would be great.
To me, he will always be Todd
Just glad Roger is back. Was that Peter’s hired helicopter shining down on Maxie or did Austin have a real impressive Mag light..lol
I love having RH back and will wait to see how this plays out. Just have another ? –What has happened to Jackie and Finn’s (Chase’s ?) father. With Chase,so ill why are they AWOL? Also re: Sonny. Is the Nixon Falls PD so backward it never occured,to them to take,Mike’s prints to see if he is in a national criminal registry to identify this stranger with no memory or last name.makes no sense, especially since he has been on their radar since he washed up there.Too fsr fetched even for a soap opera. But I still love the show. Nothing against Michael, but I Want Chase back with Willow. Just hope they dont kill off Chase to resolve this.
I know budgets are tight, but unless Kim Delaney and Gregory Harrison were off shooting other projects, Jackie and Gregory’s lack of screen time this past month has been glaring.
That said, if the choice was then or having most of the Scorpio family at Sean’s memorial, I’ll go with the latter.
I want Franco back with Luz and Sonny back with Carly. If you were going to bring back Roger Howarth you had no reason to kill his character off. Not like you were losing viewers because he played Franco. Bring Franco back and bring Sonny back.
I love Jason and Brit togeather YEs
JoAnn
I wondered about that too. This has gotten so coo-coo, I expected to see the three Wise Men.
Violet–
Roger/Austin is Not a doctor-
It’s a bluff introduction.
Roger, will be someone but not a doctor..
That’s totally my take; time will tell.
I will be right or wrong lol
SuOOO
I was thinking that he might be from Dr. Steve Hardy’s family, who you probably don’t know as he was one of the original characters.
Not likely to be a member of the Hardy family, since Elizabeth didn’t recognize him. One would think she would have known one of her own relatives. It’s not like his face was mangled, as it was when she had a similar scene back in 2014 when a badly injured “Jason” (actually Drew) was brought into the hospital.
Satan
Hi there. I posted my idea before Austin was brought into GH, of course you are right, but then again she didn’t recognize her own husband did she? Ha,ha, just being silly. Has Petey arrived yet? And why hasn’t the idiot Finn even questioned the idea that Peter was faking throwing the vial away or that it could still be on him or in his suitcase, etc? One more thing is hearing Peeta, Peeta, Peeta, it’s driving me nuts!
Ridiculous bringing back person that just died.
Bring sonny back expose nina she gets on my nerves real bad, trying to get back at carly.when nina said I’m going home did she mean PC she’s scared sonny needs to remember who he is and for somebody tell him the name he is going is by belongs to his father mike. Portia should be ashamed going after the commissner exs while all the time she’s feeling her out if the commissner is still in love with her ex. Cyrus should die just like peter should but before chase gets the cure he needs .michael and willow should stop playing cat and mice and come out the closet. When is nina going to discover that willow is her daughter never heard how willow became the daughter of the fool that was with shiloh.
Ridiculous bring back person that just died recently
Yes!!!! Looking forward to him shaking up the landscape. -0- unredeemable past! Great actor. Excited to meet the new character.
I don’t like this at all, it’s ridiculous to bring him back as someone else, it so confusing. Franco was a good character and he was good with Elizabeth
I’m just so happy to see Roger back before I stopped watching gh I’ve been watching since it began!
So glad to see Roger Howarth on my screen and curious to see where this goes. Let’s give the story a chance, people!
I don’t really care who Roger Howarth becomes, I’m just happy he is back. Maybe this time he’ll be around forever. He is a very accomplished actor. Even though Austin may have doubts regarding Maxie’s agitation and peril. His expertise and humor shows through. ‘Thank you GH/Roger for introducing us to a new, appealing character.
I see heather paying a visit soon and she will then confess just like her cousin Susan she also had twin(it runs in the family) and this Austin guy will be Franco’s twin. There you have it, and his full name is Todd Franco Austin.
I never accepted him as Franco. It doesn’t work when they bring the same actor back as someone else. I guess uses they were a twin, but they would have to look similar. He did not work as Franco.
I’m so glad Franco is gone because Friz sucks lol but RH is back as a new character Austin Holt Jimmy Lee Holts son which means he’s a Quartermaine according to the rumor mill and he’s playing another cousin of Jason and Drews since Franco is their maternal cousin.
It’s a “rumor mill” now?
That theory started right here on this board. And it came directly from this Devil.
Wrong they originated from several sources at the GH studio.
Hope you didn’t read that over at soapcentral.com That site has been stealing my material for years, after their authoritarian mods on the Di$ney payroll banned me from their site because I dared to criticize the Valentini/Carlivati regime when they attempted to turn GH into OLTL in 2012.
Nobody was saying that before me. You can bet your soul on it.
Its so weird and unbelievable to see Howarth play someone other than Franco in GH. Maxie seems to have forgotten Franco ever existed since Austin has the same face of Franco & she dosen’t see the resemblance. Its going to take a while for me and I’m sure others to get used to him as Austin and not Franco. What were the writers thinking?
No way—
Roger/“Austin” is Not a doctor–
There is something else going on, but no way will he be a doctor..
I’ll be disappointed if he would be a doctor–
but, naww he’s not a doctor.
it’s a fake/bluff introduction..
I’m glad that Franco isn’t there anymore but RH is now a new character Austin Holt Jimmy Lee Holts son which means he’s a Quartermaine according to several sources and he’s Jason and Drews paternal cousin just like Franco was their maternal cousin plus Friz sucked.
YELL YELL YOU KEEP BRING HIM BACK AS A DIFFERENT PERSON! OK!! BUT WHAT ABOUT SONNY CORINTHOS WHEN ARE YOU ALL BRINGING HIM BACK? I WILL STOP WATCHING GENERAL HOSPITAL!, AND THEN YOU LETTING NINA GET AWAY WITH TO MUCH! BEING SONNY HOME TO HIS FAMILY AND BACK RIGHT ON GENERAL HOSPITAL! WE BEEN WAITING ON YOU ALL TO ALL BRING SONNY HOME CARLY NEEDS HER HUSBAND HOME YOU ALL ARE MASSING UP GENERAL HOSPITAL LIL. DO YOU ALL KNOW ” AND I’M GLADE YOU ALL PUT MY JASON WITH DR. BRITT WESTBOURNE BEAUTIFUL COUPLE! SO PLEASE BRING SONNY HOME PLEASE!
It was revealed that cousins Susan and Heather gave birth at the same time at a clinic in New York, Susan had twins, Jason went to the Quartermanes and nurse Betsy took Andrew. Maybe Heather also had twins, nurse Betsy took Franco and a rich family took her other son Austin to replace their baby that was stillborn. Jason and Austin are cousins and will get along. Jason was headed to be a doctor before the car accident, Austin did become a doctor. Of course he will get a job at GH and meet Elizabeth. And Finn, just because it’s awesome watching them all work together
Love to see Roger back on GH, missed him. Love all the characters he played. He’s an outstanding actor. Welcome Roger back. Can’t wait what ur new storyline going to bring exciting.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.
Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)
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