General Hospital
Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo on why she is returning to GH now!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Soap fans are just a few weeks away from seeing one of their all-time most popular characters return, when Brenda Barrett steps back into Port Charles, and Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo returns to General Hospital. In a new interview out today with TV Guide Magazine’s, Michael Logan, Vanessa clues fans in as to why the time was right for her return.
In addition in one excerpt below, Logan points out that Marcil Giovinazzo’s return had been in talks for years and promises of her return always seemed imminent but never materialized, such that, it could have appeared as if the actress was yanking the shows and the public’s chain.
Marcil Giovinazzo set the record straight by saying ; “We came close to a deal a few times before this. Very close. It was always a matter of when, not if — and I said that in every conversation I had with Bob Guza. But, for me, there could never be a return where Brenda wasn’t incredibly involved with the characters who are basically her family. She doesn’t have any blood family. She has no parents. I’d tell Bob, “You know my list — Sonny, Jason, Robin, Jax. These are the characters I want to work with every day. If you can promise me that’s going to happen, we can work this out.” He called me one time and said, “Listen, James Franco’s coming on the show and we’d love for you to walk in with him.” But I didn’t want to do that. He’s a great movie star and an incredible actor and it’s an honor to have him on GH. But what does he have to do with Brenda? It was important that Brenda’s return be about her people, her family.”
Marcil Giovinazzo on why also the time was right to return; “Because it feels so right. A lot’s been going on. We found out that my older sister, Sherry, has breast cancer. We’ve bought a farm in upstate New York and she and I went up there to spend a week together before she had to start her chemo, and it got me thinking about how grateful I am to GH for giving me pretty much everything I have. [Head writer] Bob Guza and I got back in touch again during that time. I told him I wanted to settle down for a while so that I could be available to my sister and my family, and that maybe during that time I could come in and out at GH for a couple of days a week. I called [ABC Daytime chief] Brian Frons and asked him if he would have me back, and he was gracious enough to say yes. I just couldn’t feel any more grateful that I’m still allowed to visit such a great place. I love that Julianne Moore went back to As the World Turns to honor where she came from. It’s important to do that. I left GH for a few different reasons, but it was never because I wasn’t madly in love with the show and the character and with daytime.”
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Tanisha Harper Opens Up About Being a Recast for the Role of Jordan Ashford
On General Hospital, Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) is having her own crisis to deal with since the accident that scarred and disfigured her face. In addition, the man she loves, Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) was just hauled into the PCPD for punching out Dr. Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson). Curtis is determined to put the blame on Dr. Gannon for being the driver of the other car.
Such is the drama that Tanisha Harper is currently involved in on the long-running ABC daytime drama. Harper sat down with hosts Rebecca Budig (Taylor, The Bold and the Beautiful) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, Days of Our Lives) for the latest edition of their Soapy podcast which dropped on Tuesday.
As GH fans know, there have been a total of four actresses to play the role of Jordan. Vinessa Antoine (2014–2018), Briana Nicole Henry (2018–2021): Tiffany Daniels (2021) who temporarily filled-in for Henry while she was recovering from Covid-19, and Tanisha Harper (2022- present).

Photo: CBS/Soapy
FINOLA HUGHES WAS A BIG CHEERLEADER FOR TANISHA
Tanisha recalls her screen-test for the role which was actually with Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Finola Hughes (Anna): “They were wonderful. I just adore Finola. I remember when I had finished one of the scenes, and I think we were doing another scene, or another take in a different way, and she was like, “You got this. You’re gonna get this.” She was so positive, so great, and just so lovely and it made me feel so good.”
BECOMING THE NEXT JORDAN ASHFORD
In addition, Harper shared how she really didn’t know what part she actually would be playing till shortly before her first day on set. “There were two other Jordans, and then there was another girl before me and Brianna,” she detailed. “Initially, I didn’t know that was the role I was going for. So I thought it was for the district attorney. Once I had booked the job, I think about a week before when they sent the script to me, they’re like, ‘You’re going to be playing the character Jordan.’ Even though she been played by two other girls, they didn’t want me to go in and try to emulate how the other girls did their performances. They just wanted me make it my own, and do my own thing. I think that helped. I didn’t really know anything about the character at all, and it was kind of hard at the time to see online other people’s performances. So, I was forced to make the character my own.”

Photo: ABC
JORDAN’S INSIDE JOB TO TAKE DOWN SIDWELL
Recently, Jordan went back to using her undercover skills to infiltrate Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) organization and get the dirt on his crimes. As she explained her character’s current plight, “Jordan decided to take it upon herself to go undercover to get this bad guy Sidwell, who’s come into town. So I resign from my position, and now my character has been working for him undercover, but he’s a very wealthy man. So my character, she was enjoying that life. She’s all of a sudden walking around with her fancy bags and her cars, but she’s still undercover. Now, Jordan was in a big car accident and now her face is all scarred.” Viewers need to stay tuned-in to GH to see what happens next!
Watch the full conversation with Tanisha on her visit to the Soapy podcast below.
Now weigh-in, do you think Jordan will eventually get the goods on Sidwell, or is she useless in this situation? Will she wind up needing Sidwell to get her to some specialist to help remove the scars on her face? What do you think about Tanisha’s process to becoming the recast Jordan? Let us know in the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Emma Wants to Save Anna, Isaiah’s Career is All But Destroyed, Joe Makes an Arrest
The Monday, May 18 episode of General Hospital brought with it a startling discovery, a new reality for one surgeon, a new cop on the scene, and a granddaughter determined to protect her grandmother.
First, Laura (Genie Francis) tells Mac (John J. York) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) that Anna (Finola Hughes) is in worse trouble than she was previously after she had Kevin to check on her while he was in Europe. They head out to update Emma (Braedyn Bruner) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner).
Meanwhile, Emma gets upset over Anna during a discussion with Felicia and breaks Anna’s favorite coffee cup. Emma is overcome with sadness and cries, trying to figure out how she is supposed to be so happy with Gio (Giovanni Mazza), while Anna is locked away somewhere against her own will.

Courtesy/ABC
BAD NEWS FOR EMMA
Laura and Mac arrive to talk with Emma and Felicia, and reveal how Anna escaped and made it to the border, but she was now in the custody of the French authorities and they are transferring her to a long term mental illness facility, which freaks out Emma just as Gio arrives. Emma runs into his arms. Laura says at this point, Anna needs a strong advocate and she will make a call on her behalf. (But to who?)
At the Metro Court pool, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is arrested by Detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) after throwing a punch at Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson). Joe takes Curtis to the station where Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) tells Fitzgerald to remove Curtis’ handcuffs. Now inside the interrogation room, Curtis explains that he believes Isaiah left he and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) dead at the side of the road the night of the accident and provoked him.
BROKEN HAND, BROKEN MAN
Curtis just wants to put it all behind him and says he will pay for Isaiah’s medical bills, but Dante informs him, he is trouble and he needs to call a lawyer. So, he calls Jordan. Meanwhile, Isaiah gets looked at while at General Hospital, and his hand is messed up. He comes to learn he will need multiple surgeries not only for broken bones but two tendons were severed in the process. Isaiah realizes his surgical days are numbered possibility forever, if not for a very long time.
JOSSLYN FINDS ANNA’S MESSAGE
While being held hostage, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) tries again to convince Cassius (Ryan Paevey) to set her free. That leads into the two playing cards and Cassius asking Josslyn how she got into the WSB. Josslyn admits her boyfriend was murdered and she killed the person who was the culprit for retribution. She says she put together all the pieces that he did the crime, and now this line of work gives her purpose.
In the shocking final moments, after Cassius leaves for the night, Josslyn heads to the cot in the other part of the holding room and sees a hand-carved message on the wall from Anna that she was there and help captive on October 31, 2025. We fade to black.
So what did you think of the concern Emma showed for Anna, and the performance of Braedyn Bruner? What are your very initial impressions of Jonathan Bennett as Joe Fitzgerald? Which character is annoying you more in the story … Curtis, Jordan, Portia or Isaiah? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Detective Fitzpatrick is on the Scene, Nina Has to Silence Jack, Josslyn Needs an Escape Route
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital investigations, protection modes and conflict are the order of the day. In the just released ABC promo for the soap opera entitled “Held Captive,” first Lulu (Alexa Havins) is preparing to flea the country with Rocco (Finn Carr) if necessary including having passports ready and their bags packed.
However, with Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) having full-knowledge of Rocco shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and his own desire and plan to keep his son safe right in Port Charles, he firmly tells Lulu,“You will make my son a fugitive over my dead body!”
Meanwhile, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is trying to find a way out of captivity and as she moves her bed she finds a shocking message,“Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) was held captive here. I was taken on 10-31-25.” Suddenly, Josslyn is so panicked and determined. She tells herself she is going to get out of there. Next, we see her smashing a chair into someone’s face! Can she find a way out? Will Cassius (Ryan Paevey) be waiting for her to throw her back in?

Courtesy/ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL SPOILERS
Nina (Cynthia Watros) is getting all jittery again, as it appears she has gone back into Jack Brennan’s (Chris McKenna) hospital room and is ready to inject him with another secret dose of the medication to keep him in a paralytic state, after she accidentally jabbed him during his brawl with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart). As viewers know, that dose of the drug meant to keep Drew in a locked-in state. However, now Jack starts to move!
In addition, General Hospital welcomes Jonathan Bennett to the cast as PCPD Detective Joe Fitzpatrick, and in key moment he is seen at the police station. As to just what Joe will be up to? Well, in an additional newly released clip featuring Bennett in his debut episode on Monday, it’s clear that Detective Fitzpatrick is looking into Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Isaiah’s (Sawandi Wilson) altercation at the Metro Court Pool when he says, “What are the chances Ashford talks his way out of an arrest? Curtis Ashford seems to be a very powerful guy around here. The kind of guy that’s used to getting a way with stuff.”
Take a look below at the official GH spoilers for the week of May 18-22.
MONDAY, MAY 18
Police detective Joe Fitzpatrick is called to arrest one of Port Charles’s own. Laura delivers an update about Anna. Joss makes a grim discovery. Jordan presses Justine about Sonny. Emma opens up to Felicia.
TUESDAY, MAY 19
Valentin pitches a new plan. Gio supports Emma. Rocco is frustrated. Dante sets Joe straight. Curtis briefs Jordan.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Alexis seeks assistance from Ava. Ethan makes a promise to Lulu. Britt makes a big decision. Valentin and Carly clash. Nina gets a shock.
THURSDAY, MAY 21
Alexis wants answers. Ethan pays a visit to Tracy. Dante summons “Nathan.” Britt has new reason to worry. Lulu prepares to make her move.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
Sonny and Ric compare notes. Willow delivers good news. Britt shares intel. Laura’s reaction surprises Lulu. “Nathan” makes a plea.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo and a preview clip of Jonathan Bennett’s first episode as Joe Fitzpatrick below.
Now weigh-in: Since Josslyn will knows Anna was also held captive by Sidwell and company, how will she make her escape plan? Do you think Lulu and Rocco will go on the run? Will Jack come to and the jig will be up for Nina, or will the two reach some deal to keep him quiet from tattling on her? And, are you enthusiastic about the debut of Jonathan Bennett? Let us know in the comment section.
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One small correction: Brenda does have “blood family”. She has a sister, Julia. Otherwise, YAY! I’m glad to have her back.
I believe they were referring to Brenda not having any blood family in PC, Julia came back only becuase Jax sought her out and she was only on the show for a couple months…Brenda is pretty much byherslef in PC, a lot like how Sam McCall was before finding out that Alexis was her biological mother who gave her up for adoption, now Sam has two sisters, a Mom, and a Greek Prince as a cousin…who woulda thunk…LOL…anyways, have to say that I am ubber excited to see Brenda Barrett return to our beloved GH, I am a Bren/Sonny fan all the way and can’t wait to see these two heat up my screen again…Jax better not ruin them, he should stay with Carly, he already broke my Bren’s heart and he should not be forgiven for the terrible way he treated when she left in 2003, thanks GH for bringing VM back, she is absolutly amazing…can we please have Bren/Sam become besties, Sam needs a friend!