Towards the conclusion of the Thursday, July 30 episode of General Hospital, Troy Lennon Appel made his debut asa “mysterious and shady businessman” going by the name of “Hudson.”

The person who first saw Hudson was none other than Ethan Lovett, who is now played by another soap newcomer Christian Howard, who replaced the exited Nathan Dean in the role.

From the looks of things, Ethan was not at all happy to see Hudson at the Metro Court Pool. It looks as though Ethan doesn’t even want Hudson to know he is in the same town. So, how do these two know each other? Is Hudson the father of baby Phoebe? Is Hudson possibly a Quartermaine? Like Dillon Quartermaine … or someone else from the Q clan? Stay tuned.

Photo: ABC

TROY LENNON APPEL JOINS KELLY KRUGER AS THE LATEST ARRIVALS ON-SCREEN TO GH

Meanwhile, for his premiere airdate, which also marked the first on-screen episode of Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin, Troy spoke to TV Insider and shared a bit about the character he’s playing and more.

Appel expressed, “Hudson is a shady businessman, and you’re not clear as to his motives, He goes one way, but then leans the other, and so he kind of keeps you on your toes. So far, what I’ve played, this guy is way cooler than I am, so it’s been so cool to play him. But he’s just been a force to be reckoned with so far, and I’m not even entirely sure as to all of his intentions in Port Charles. I’m excited to see where his journey goes, because I’m very lucky to be playing this character.”

As GH casting lore goes, Troy actually read for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett, but the producers were impressed by him that they created the role of Hudson with Appel specifically in mind. And stand by … according to Appel, he screen-tested with Daytime Emmy-winner, Eden McCoy (Josslyn).

So, is Hudson the new man for Josslyn?  All Appel would say was, “I did a chemistry read with Eden much later when I kind of cemented that I was going to be playing another character, and it all just happened and I’m insanely grateful that it did.”

With Troy Lennon Appel, Kelly Kruger, Christian Howard, and Dean Geyer (whose character of Tristan was revealed to have ties with the WSB) all appearing on the latest episode of General Hospital, was it jarring for you, or are you excited for what’s to come? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Nicholas Alexander Chavez (ex-Spencer Cassadine, General Hospital) has his next role lined-up with the casting news that Chavez has joined the ensemble cast of Paramount’s remake of the 1981 thriller Possession.

The OG version of the feature film revolved around a woman who begins exhibiting increasingly disturbing behavior after asking her husband for a divorce. Suspicions of infidelity soon give way to something much more sinister.

Deadline broke the casting news of Chavez boarding the remake in addition to Emory Cohen and Madeline Brewer.  Possession stars Margaret Qualley, Callum Turner, Paul Dano and Diego Calva.

Courtesy/ABC

Since exiting General Hospital in 2024, Chavez played Lyle Menendez in Netflix’s Monster, appeared as Father Charlie Mayhew in the FX horror series Grotesquerie, and has had numerous modeling spots for brands such as Nike and appeared in the stage play Casino Real at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Currently on General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali), the former girlfriend of Spencer Cassadine, is being stalked by an unknown person with a short list of suspects. Spencer’s name came into the equation by some GH viewers on social media, since the character supposedly perished and went overboard along with Esme Prince (Avery Pohl). 

As to if and when the character of Spencer resurfaces remains to be seen, and if General Hospital will recast the part.

Meanwhile, what are your thoughts on Nicholas Alexander Chavez’s latest film role? Do you want GH to recast the role of Spencer Cassadine? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

The one and only Erika Slezak, whose classic and moving portrayal of Victoria Lord on One Life to Live captured all of our hearts for decades and who thrilled us with her guest stint on General Hospital in 2025 as Ronnie Bard is about to turn 80-years-old on August 5.

To help celebrate and to make this birthday extra special for the six-time Daytime Emmy-winning icon and her fans, Walter Miller, Erika’s fan club president and website administrator, has revealed that you now have a chance to wish Erika happy birthday or a share a special memory of her from her time on One Life to Live, General Hospital or you’re own personal experience.

All of the messages will be compiled and shared with Erika. The first collection of messages will be presented to her on August 5, but Walter notes that he is accepting submissions through August 14 and will include those in a later collection to pass on to Erika.

Photo: ABC

AUGUST IS SPECIAL MONTH FOR ERIKA SLEZAK

Not only is August a special month with Erika’s birthday, but Erika and her longtime husband, Brian Davies will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary on August 4.

To send your birthday greeting and message to Erika, click here For more on Erika, make sure to check out her official website erikaslezak.com

It was back in 1971 that soap opera fans first saw Erika in the role of Viki on One Life to Live, when she took over the part from Joanne Dorian who has replaced the original Viki, Gillian Spencer.  Through many storylines, marriages, and of course, Viki’s battle with DID (Dissociative Identify Disorder), Erika got to portray an array of emotions and characters until One Life went off the air in 2012. She then appeared in the Prospect Park revival of the series in 2013.

While Erika continued making guest appearances in primetime in episodics such as The Resident and Blue Bloods, she returned last year to ABC daytime playing the sister of the late Monica Quartermaine (the late Leslie Charleson). The door was left open for the character of Ronnie to return one day.

So, make sure to send your birthday greetings to Erika through the link above and tell us below your messages honoring Erika on her upcoming 80th birthday via the comment section.