General Hospital
Will Genie Francis come back to GH this summer?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios
We hear from Soap Opera Digest that GH’s Bob Guza is interested again in bringing back Genie Francis (Laura Spencer) back to the canvas hopefully sometime this summer! The head scribe stated, “We’ve said before: If ever there were a need for Laura on this canvas, it is now. It is very much a part of our thinking now. We are not currently in negotiations, but I can easily see that from a story standpoint. I am not confirming this. I don’t know this, but I would not be at all surprised if we brought her back this summer, assuming we can work it out with Genie’s very busy schedule.”
Many feel Francis should have already been back to help a betrayed Lucky when he found out the lovely Liz slept with Laura’s son and his half-bro, Nikolas! Stay tuned, looks like this summer in Port Charles could wind up hotter than July!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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It would be about time, she is the show. Whoever is in charge of this disaster of a show should have woke up a long time ago and got Genie Francis back however they needed to do it. I have no faith in the producer and writer of this show and worry about how bad they will screw Laura up if she does indeed return.
I completely agree. Luke isn’t Luke without her, and the show just doesn’t have it any more. Stopped watching when she left, only tune in when she is back. When they had her back in 2008 the story and their parting (Luke and Laura) was so depressing I doubt she will be back. Seems they pretty much closed their relationship, he had moved on and she was going to do the same. VERY sad!
it’s a shame how they’ve totally ignored her character! Luke’s behaviour towards tracy’s is like he’s never been in love before! She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him! IT’s very insulting to us fans, who have been watching GH since the 70’s. I’m sure Tony Geary is not happy with the writing.
I would love to see Laura return with a new independence and confidence and maybe a new love interest and maybe a lot of money. Then I’d like to see her give Tracy a hard time and slap some sense into Luke. This mental illness thing should be resolved as some evil plot, the real circumstances of Rick’s death revealed and Luke should admit to himself, Tracy and Laura the truth..that Laura is the love of his life and he obviously can’t live without her. Luke should clean up his act and resolve to “earn” Laura back. Now that is a soap worth watching.
lies, lies, and more lies!!!!! why hasnt genie francis been asked back long before now??? this soap is doomed to fail.. I wish genie would go back to days or even y&r.. somewhere they appreciate the amazing talent of this gifted actress!!! R.I.P GH!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I can see a completely logical, realistic explanation for the Luke/Tracey stuff. Let’s face it, like can knock people around, alot! Luke’s been through the mill and he isn’t getting any younger. Old guys get grumpy. It’s a fact of life. So he got grumpy and depressed and didn’t want to try anymore. With Laura he would have to work for it. She hasn’t been exactly reliable of late, and Tracey has all that lovely money and status.
Luke lately reminds me of my own husband…and who wants to watch that?!! They need to bring Genie back in a front burner story where she’s her own woman, not hanging around waiting for any man. Give Luke a reason to pull it together and give us a reason to tune back in.
Soaps seem to be on the wane these days. Maybe GH should consider that kids don’t have the attention span to follow a longterm 1hr daily show and give the women (and men) who made GH #1 a reason to come back. We’re loyal. We have money and time. And we need more than just serial one night stands and mobsters to keep us coming back.
Genie Francis is looking great and she’d be a huge asset to the show now.
I wished they had brought Genie back instead of Brenda! Genie/ Laura was much more beloved for a lot longer.
why not have genie cross over to oltl like anna did on amc? its obvious that guza and company dont know how to write a s/l for this amazing actress.. how are those HUGE brenda ratings working out for ya bob??? PLEASE!!
Who cares about spoiled brat Brenda bring back Laura Spencer
Also why is it that GH surprises take a long long time before they come out ? You almost lose interest. Yet OLTL the most you wait is a month ?
I wnat Laura back……. I really do. I have been watching
gh for 30 some years and I miss her. She was wonderful in the Note I love to watch
it every Christmas and now I want to see Laura on GH Lets keep writting til they bring her back!!!!!
I have only recently tuned in into watching GH, and then i came across the legacy of Luke and Laura, i saw their videos in youtube and now i am a HUGE fan of Genie. I like Tony too, i mean the former version of him, the new luke(tony) is not even the fraction of what he use to be. I mean Tracy and Luke are so boring… they both seem old and tired , I saw the clip where Laura came back in 2008 , suddenly Luked seemed to look handsome and the whole show made sense to me. I would LOVE to have Laura (genie) back in the show. She could come back with a new man or even better she could come single and legends like Robets , Hutch and Cassadines could be thrown in the plot and they all could chase her, as of now we won’t want her to patch things up with Luke. He has spoiled their relationship , he should see what he is missing on and fight for Laura like he did back in late 70’s. I was not born when they were are the greatest couple, even our generation needs to experience the greatness of luke and laura…please GH, bring her back!!!
I will only watch if they bring Laura back. She is the soul of this show, and if they don’t realize that yet than the produers are just blind. Bring her back!!!
I agree, Luke is no good without Laura. Actually, Tony said that many years ago, in the 80s, that he wouldn’t bring back Luke without Laura, so he became Bill. I agree, Luke is not Luke without Laura. She saves him, she is his humanity, and the love story is the greatest of any other in soaps. Luke and the fans need Laura. I only watch when Genie is on, and the way it ended in 08 was heart breaking.