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WATCH: GH's Finola Hughes Go Behind The Scenes And Learn About Polycythemia Vera Blood Cancer

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

Viewers of ABC General Hospital recently learned that super spy/super agent/super person, Anna Devane may be facing her biggest enemy yet, when she was diagnosed polycythemia vera (PV), a rare blood cancer.

Daytime Emmy winner, Finola Hughes (Anna) is taking on the challenges of incorporating how Anna’s new health condition will impact her life, her future and her career.

Hughes has partnered with Incycte and Voice of MPN to raise awareness and understanding of both PV and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Doing her research ahead of her character’s life changer, finola met with Linda, a woman living with polycythemia vera to better understand the disease.

Now go behind the scenes as Finola preps for her role as someone living with PV after the jump. Then let us know what you think of GH shedding light on this medical issue in the comment section below!

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Finola Hughes is one is my main reason for staying with GH thru thick and thin !

She is always a wonder to watch.

100% agree with you! She’s magnificent!

I second this!

I so enjoy Finola Hughes as Anna…I agree, she is a magnificent actress…

Soaps and their in house diagnosis is upsetting and creating Hypochondriac’s! aha!

Hypercondriac is a condition that affects the mind where a person thinks they are ill yet in real sense they are not. ((0oh oh I think I have that, I’m tired and terrible headache too!))
Medical anything does Not belong in soaps..
It is not helpful and written for soap drama.

Anna has become a basket case in many directions and has become FF, for me.
And, that is a shame I use to see her as a strong confident woman, no longer do I 🙁
Valentin has near destroyed her and he hasn’t done anything to her LOL .. crazy stuff..

“Medical anything does not belong in soaps.”

You do realize the show is called General Hospital, right?

Maybe the mob can blowup GH, LOL!

He seems to need to be reminded of that!

I could see Anna having migraines when her repressed memories became part of the Valantin back story. But this new illness? I don’t mean to trivialize it, but I had never heard of it compared to Jess’s heart attack and the “educational” info that went with it. Also, usually am not a fan of Kimberly/Robin dropping in and out of Port Charles. But have to admit in this case she is at the right place at the right time, even though I wish it wasn’t for this particular reason.

Am frustrated by Sam, who I mostly happen to like. For someone who was lucky to have Danny, she should be way more careful about her sleuthing activities this close to due date of her and Jason’s. baby.

A couples things in response to Rose’s post: Headaches are a symptom of polycythemia vera. The writer’s weren’t switching illinesses; they were leading up to it. I think it’s great when soaps try to educate the public about illness, addiction (as we are now seeing with Finn). AMC and other soaps did this. As someone else pointed out, the root of GH is GH, so hitting on health issues makes alot of sense to me. Helps get the focus back to a part of reality that doesn’t include gunfire.

Soaps are fiction and are about drama. Many soap plots are about risk and unexpected dangers. Sam is Julian’s and Alexis’ daughter, her sleuthing here isn’t about P.I. business income, it’s very personal.

Another post referred to Anna as a “basket case”. Try a little empathy in understanding a character’s experience: Anna was told she ordered a hit on Valentin. She has no memory of it whatsoever. If that were you, wouldn’t you be trying to get to the bottom of it? I can easily understand that it would be mind-boggling and shocking. It’s not something a normal person can just walk away from…

Hi Max…I sorry my comment presented a problem for you. It was not my intention to minimize any illness. But I guess when any soap does a psa/informative health story I’m used to something more “common,” for want of a better word, or topical…like Jess’s heart attack on Y&R,,or even Morgan/Sonny’s bi-polar. I had never heard of Anna’s Illness before. And while GH is at the hub of health issues, sometimes lately I wish they could focus more on other Port Charles stories.

As for Anna wanting to find out what’s been “haunting” her, of course I don’t blame her for taking all steps necessary. That’s why she has been going through the hypnosis/regression with the psychiatrist. Just wish they hadn’t turned it into a life threatening illness.

And “yes” Sam’s sleuthing is personal, but it can wait. She isn’t showing common sense right now because she is so close to her due date, and had problems birthing Danny. Frustrating to watch. And I really dislike when any soap has to include the life of a child as part of the “drama.”

u can be physically strong, intellectually sound, and emotionally vulnerable all at once. Anna has never just been a one note character

This must be the most tone deaf post that I’ve ever seen on this site…your ignorance is really quite astonishing.

Finola Hughes is brilliant. Bravo to her and GH for using the show as a platform for educating the public about this terrible disease. I think the show should do more of this very thing. 2 thumbs up, General Hospital!

dear JasonLovesGH.
Not one word was said about the great Finola Hughes ..
It was about the character Anna ..

you continue to make no sense, what are you on? hey i know you love Ron Carlivati work,so i take it you will soon be watching dool, or probably already do, so can you get to it,and finally say goodbye to watching GH, since you seem to hate everything about it so much..

Was I the only one in utter hysterics when Robin babbled on and on the police man who was guarding Anna? Don’t get my wrong, I adore Robin, but she used very scientific medically terminology which only another doctor would understand. She sounded like one of those voice overs on those commercials warning viewers of the side effects of a certain medication. That poor cop looked like he wanted to hail a cab.

Yes, Addy…it was beyond amusing and annoying. It was the same when they mentioned Shriner’s Hospital for Children every other sentence. “Excuse me, I need to use the ladies room and Shriner’s Hospital for Children is where children…”

Of course both are worthy of mention and commendable that they’re being incorporated into a story. But!!! Be subtle…get the word out…without breaking the fourth, fifth and hundreth wall!

Good-looking cop, though!

su0000 – this is called General Hospital. You do know that a hospital is where they discuss medical conditions.

In my experience. though, info about patients is confidential except to attending doctors, nurses and family only…not the beat cop, and certainly in not such detail.

Su…you don’t seem to want emotions on a soap…only adventure. Soaps are supposed to portray life…the human condition in all its twists and turns. Soaps are DRAMA. Yes, at times quirky, funny, mostly-over-the-top..but the common denominator is that they’re about PEOPLE. And people are multi-dimensional. And people…even the strongest…fall. Illness, loss, death, anxiety, depression, addiction…all human…all make up the fabric of our stories…both in fiction and reality.

Anna Devane is the same as she ever was. She’s beautiful, tough, smart, sharp, a fighter. And, now, she gets to use all those attributes in her fight against her disease. This doesn’t lessen the character…only adds another dimension as it did when Robin…also brilliant, strong, driven…was diagnosed with HIV. Or, when Alexis has lung cancer. (which in reality not many survive.) Point is, these characters continue on and forge ahead.

I don’t know where you got the idea that soaps were humorous, action-packed thrillers. They never were. Those aspects were part of the bigger story, not THE story.

Even the mighty fall…Anna will rise again.

A day with Anna Laura and Tracy on our screens is a day in heaven!

hi rebecca1 ,,
soaps have always had emotional stories, I’m more than fine with it.
However I am not fine with how Lame and Sucky the emotional side has become. There really needs to be a lot of improvement, the writing has become weak and lazy and at times disconnected.

I do like the adventure side, the suspense and intruge of soaps are noted as a cornerstone, the on the edge spellbinders that writers can no longer produce as once they were capable of doing.
However I am not fine with how overly lackluster dull the writing has become..

I do like humor is a soap. It is a great balance to level the doom & gloom, it is needed. (not one laugh or chuckle since J&S)

I am a firm believer that medical whatever’s as a PSA do not belong in poorly written stories, not good, nope ..

I’m with you– Anna will rise again (hopefully J&S can accomplish bringing Anna back, I miss her)

Hi Su…thanks for your response. I understand what you’re saying. To be honest, I don’t like watching shows (or films) on ANY disease because it just effects me too much. I need escape…not to be brought down.

With that said, as long as the story doesn’t depress me…as long as I know the character I care for is going to “win” in the end it’s not as much a negative. And I DO expect Anna to come through this…or find out someone’s messing with her and it just appears that she has the condition. (though not sure that would sit well from a moral standpoint…) or…she’ll just go about her life normally at some point and we’ll forget she has it…like we do with Maxie, Alexis, Robin…all who have conditions but it falls to the background. Plus, I do think this story provides an opportunity to open up a lot more stories. I don’t think it’s just about Anna’s new condition.

I disagree with you though. (what a surprise! 🙂 ) I actually think the writing has been good, the stories have been holding my interest and I like that they’ve been incorporating more vets. And I say this in a “as far as daytime soaps” go. I also think there HAS been some humor…Ned, Olivia Falconeri, Franco, Tracy, Scott…even Ava.

I only recently started watching B&B. I find that show to be funny! I know longtime viewers of that show seem a bit fed up with it but I enjoy it. I like the characters…and I think it’s entertaining.

Now…where’s Poldark, Outlanders, How To Get Away With Murder, Scandal, Ray Donovan, The Affair, The Young Pope, etc. etc. There is some great programming out there…

Rebecca1..

You have a good list. I watch those. also;
”Outlanders, How To Get Away With Murder, Scandal, Ray Donovan, The Affair, The Young Pope, etc. etc. There is some great programming out there…”
—
I’ll add–
24 Legacy, Suits, the Blacklist, Designated Survivor, Empire, Big Bang, This is Us, Gotham, Lucifer, Mr Robot, Game of Thrones, Westworld, and of course The Walking Dead ….
and now The Good Fight.. I miss Seinfeld ..
)ooh Netflix- Orange/Black, Narcos, Marco Polo..

And as all our above is what people of all ages watch. The Primetime Series.
And that is why imo the soaps need to step up their game they’re stuck in the 80’s .

Rebecca and Su…mostly like your tv list. I would also add The Catch…clever and good cast. Love Lucifer.

Beginning to think Big Bang has had it’s funnier days. Did see one today I had not seen before with Sheldon’s MeMaw (sp?) making an appearance.

Have liked Blacklist, but like a lot of series (including Arrow), after a few years, they seem to start to lose their mojo. Hope Suits isn’t going this way. And I usually don’t like series extentions like what they are now promoting for Tom/ Blaclklist.

Also am an NCIS fan, mostly when Ziva was on.

And almost anything PBS/Mystery/Masterpiece….currently, The Paradise. Liked Mr. Selfrige…my son was just in London and Berlin on business. He went into Selfridges (with pictures) and said it was elegant and amazing.

Looking forward to new season of Better Call Saul.

Suoo, I thought your favorite shows were reruns of Murder She Wrote, Golden Girls and Matlock.

Addison…you are going to love this. A great fan of the a Golden Girls has opened a restaurant in their name fill with their memorabilia, menus reflecting what the ate, and TV’s playing reruns. Definitely for a special fan, but sounds like fun.

hey Rose ,,
CC and I are luvin Lucifer Morningstar, too !! (I want that umm man lol)
Anyways;
Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart ) would have been a great soap Mr. Morningstar!!!
WHOA I have loved that!!

and- Addison and Rose.. I watch the Golden Girls on the MeTV channel, really I like them! and- All In The Family, too ..

The reason for Robins running of the mouth to the officer was o Olivia Jerome could here it! Jelly writing at its worst

Hey Rose, Su, Addy…

I love all those shows…LOL…Golden Girls is actually quite funny, too!

I’d add The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Younger and The Flash to the list. All fantastic.

Ah from y&r we get it you think pencil thin is cool! NOT

As a side note, I think “GH” has been really good for the past two weeks. About time!

Kevin, I wish I could agree. What they’re doing right is tending to Alexis’s alcoholism and Anna’s health issues. For me, these two are the reigning stars of GH–GH’s MVPs for sure. I would put Genie Francis as laura in there except she is not given enough scenes. Genie is an underused resource. I also love the erupting bromance which seems to be transpiring between Jason and Curtis. More please! These two have a great comical chemistry. I also think the characterization of Valentin has been skillfully developed and well written.
Okay, that said, here is what is not working for me: 1. The redundancy of Sonny and Carly. I understand that these two will be renewing their vows and Jimmy crack corn and I don’t care. Sonny and Carly are fast forward material but the EP and head writers do not seem to understand this. 2. Speaking of redundancy, can they please find a decent story line for Michael Eastman which does not involve him writhing around on the floor with a needle in his hand as Roxy the bearded lizard sadly looks on? I cannot believe that I am fast forwarding through this man’s scenes. Hayden is not helping matters either. Frankly, I like Roxy better. 3. Lizzy and Franco finally get together and then they disappear from the canvas. The writers do not seem to know what to do with these two which doesn’t involve Franco trying to redeem himself. 4. Why is Sam so stupid? Why would she get into a car with a strange woman? She told her mother that her AA sponsor made her nervous and so we are to believe this private investigator ignored her instincts and hopped into the car with this odd woman? I realize Sam lying in the ravine next to bridge was supposed to be a cliff hanger, but it left me feeling just bored. 4. I do not understand why Ava Jerome is so set on obtaining GH. I am not understanding the connection and frankly, I don’t care.

Clearly, I can’t count. Of course 5 should come after 4!
And why is 6 afraid of 7? Cause 7 ate 9!!

Harry, we agree!

Finola can handle this and seems to be doing her homework to get this serious and rare illness the attention it needs. Linda, the lady in the videos is very sweet. They should give her a walk on!

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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