General Hospital teases the potential return of a character presumed to be dead

General Hospital has always been recognized for its sudden changes in direction, and the most recent gossip has viewers eagerly anticipating what will happen next. The show is hinting at the possible comeback of Karen Wexler, a character thought to have died in a car crash on the spinoff series Port Charles in 1997.

Karen, portrayed by Cari Shayne, was Jagger Cates' former spouse and Scotty Baldwin's child, both key figures in the series. While her death was an important development in the story, fans are speculating if Karen could be resurrected like other characters in the show's past. Shayne has suggested that she would consider playing her role again if General Hospital invites her back. Karen's comeback has the potential to shake things up on the show, given her history with Jagger and close ties to the main characters.

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Will Karen Wexler return to General Hospital?

Recently, on General Hospital, there have been many mentions of Karen Wexler and her turbulent relationship with Jagger. Jagger has revisited their history, mentioning how he introduced Karen to drugs and employed her as a dancer at his club, The Paradise Lounge. The current attention on Karen's past has led to speculation about her potential comeback on the show.

Her parents were revealed to be Scott Baldwin and Rhonda Wurth. Her romantic journey started when she was in high school, forming a bond with Jason Quartermaine initially. She eventually married Jagger Cates, but the relationship was troubled by turmoil and addiction. Karen battled with substance abuse and had a short-lived fling with Sonny Corinthos. Later on, she made amends with Jagger and they welcomed a child into the world.

Following Jagger's passing, Karen had a complex connection with Joe Scanlon, and later with Frank Scanlon, who was her spouse's sibling. Karen's interactions with Jagger and Sonny played important roles in her narratives. Jagger played a constructive role in her life, assisting her in conquering addiction and discovering redemption. On the flip side, Sonny symbolized a bleaker aspect of her life, grappling with addiction and a short romance with him. Karen was first featured on General Hospital in 1992 and was killed off in 2003.

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Actress Cari Shayne on reprising her role as Karen Wexler on General Hospital

Cari Shayne has discussed her feelings about potentially playing her character again. Shayne recognizes that Karen's death in a car accident on Port Charles, a spinoff of the show, was a major plot development, but points out that characters on soap operas have survived car crashes labeled as "fatal" before. She recognizes Karen's death as a significant moment in the show but is willing to return if General Hospital asks her to.

Shayne thinks it would be logical for Karen to come back to the show, especially with her father Scotty (Kin Shriner) and ex-boyfriend Jagger also being on the canvas. Shayne's decision to play Karen again is based on her grasp of the character's history.

She told Soap Hub in an interview dated June 6, 2024:

"I think I would be open to it. It might make sense."

She observes that Karen's narrative was closely linked with Jagger's, and her comeback could offer a chance to delve deeper into their complex past.

She added,

"I heard they’re talking about Karen a lot. We all know what [being in a car crash] means."

Even though there has been no official confirmation of her return, Shayne's eagerness to reprise the role suggests that the possibility should not be ruled out.

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General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC.