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Nelle Benson, played by Chloe Lanier, was one of General Hospital’s most divisive characters. The character appeared on August 8, 2016, and quickly became known for her scheming personality and chaotic relationships in Port Charles. For over four years, her storylines were packed with many twists, intense family drama, and shocking moments, leading to her dramatic exit on September 1, 2020.
Nelle’s troubled past and abandonment issues shaped her character. She arrived in Port Charles as Josslyn Jacks’ kidney donor, but what seemed like a good deed soon turned into a mess of lies and revenge. Her actions left a permanent mark on both the show’s characters and the fans of the show.
Nelle Benson on General Hospital
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At first, Nelle claimed she wanted to connect with Carly Corinthos, believing Carly owed her for the kidney donation. But her real plan was to get revenge. She blamed Carly for not helping her during her difficult childhood. Nelle’s plans grew wilder over time, like drugging Sonny Corinthos to fake an affair and framing Carly for an attempted murder.
Her relationships were just as wild as her schemes. She started dating Michael Corinthos, but it turned out she was using him for money. Things got even crazier when she had their son Wiley in 2018.
In a massive twist, she swapped her baby with a dead baby, making Michael think their child had died. The truth came out in 2020, sparking a custody battle that exposed Nelle’s darker side.
Nelle wasn’t just a villain character though. Her backstory was complicated and explained a lot of her behaviour and characteristics. She was the biological daughter of Nina Reeves and Dr. Silas Clay stolen at birth by her grandmother and raised by Frank Benson.
Learning she had a twin sister Willow Tait added another layer to her struggles. Despite brief moments where she seemed vulnerable and good, Nelle’s destructive behavior always took over.
Her final storyline saw her trying to run away with Wiley. In a tense showdown with Carly in the woods, Nelle fell off a cliff while trying to escape. Her body was found weeks later, but her death left questions unanswered.
Even after she was gone, her ghost haunted Carly and Nina, keeping her presence alive in Port Charles.
Chloe Lanier: The actress behind Nelle of General Hospital
Chloe’s performance as Nelle on General Hospital has earned her a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actress in 2018. She brought depth to a character who could have easily been a one-dimensional villain.
Lanier started acting in 2009 with roles in indie films and guest spots in TV shows. Before playing Nelle she appeared on General Hospital in 2015 as a young Patricia Spencer during the show’s 52nd anniversary special. Her brief role impressed the showmakers, leading to her casting as Nelle the next year.
Lanier has worked on shows like Army Wives and NCIS. Though she left the soap in 2020, she returned briefly in 2022 for ghostly appearances as Nelle. These moments gave fans some closure while leaving room for her character to potentially come back.
Lanier’s talent for playing a flawed yet fascinating character made her a standout. While Nelle Benson’s time on the General Hospital is over, her impact on Port Charles and its residents lingers on.
Fans can watch General Hospital on ABC.
