What happened to Valerie Spencer on General Hospital? Explained

It is time for Valerie Spencer to resurface on General Hospital, as the cop has been away from action and drama on the soap for four years. With the current plot dynamic revolving around her cousin, Lulu Spencer's return to the show and her former best friend Kristina's predicament, Valerie's absence is conspicuous. The member of the Spencer family and a niece of the legendary Luke Spencer, Valerie was last seen in September 2020.

For new viewers, General Hospital, one of the longest-running American soaps, had introduced Valerie in 2015. Played initially by Brytni Sarpy, the role was taken over by Paulina Bugembe in 2019 after Sarpy's exit the same year. The soap's plot romantically paired her with Dante, Dillon and Curtis at different times. Her awkward friendship with Kristina left her sexual orientation ambiguous.

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General Hospital: A brief look at Valerie Spencer

Valerie in a scene from the soap (Image via YouTube/General Hospital)

Valerie Spencer, portrayed by Brytni Sarpy, made her first appearance on General Hospital in March 2015. When Lulu and Tracy were looking for Pat Spencer, they discovered Pat's daughter Valerie instead. Valerie claimed her mother was dead when Luke kept her on gunpoint. Lulu and Dante saved the unconscious hostage.

They found Pat and Luke in the Spencer's old home but Pat, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, suddenly died. Valerie blamed Luke for her mother's death and wanted revenge but Dante convinced her out of it. This was the starting point of Valerie and Dante's friendship.

Valerie moved in with Lulu and later with Nikolas Cassadine before going to stay with Carly. Valerie and Dante's closeness grew throughout these times, even after she joined the police department as an administrative assistant. Her aunt Bobbie encouraged her to develop her relationship with Lulu's husband, Dante.

After a one-night drunken intimacy with Dante, Valerie tried to have an affair with Dillon, while Lulu and Dante tried to reconcile. When PCPD partnered her with Dante, their relationship grew more intimate. However, they again broke up regarding Lulu's sentiments.

Valerie was shocked to learn that Lulu's accomplice Johnny Zacchara befriended her, kidnapped her and left her to die in a cabin fire. Although Lulu saved her, Valerie could not forgive her sister. Valerie's next romance with Curtis Ashford fell through when she realized he used her PCPD connections to his advantage.

Valerie and Alexis' daughter, Kristina were friends. She helped her friend make an ex-boyfriend jealous by kissing her publicly. However, when Kristina made advances towards her, their friendship turned awkward. Their affection soured when Kristina officially joined the cult, Dawn of Day, when Valerie warned her against the leader Shiloh.

The cop continued to be in Port Charles doing her duties towards the residents. But she was seen intermittently on General Hospital. Her last major appearance had been on the Nelle disappearance case and Neil's sudden death. She was seen leading the enquiry by asking Carly questions about Nelle and Alexis about Neil.

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Will Valerie be back on General Hospital?

In 2019, actor Paulina Bugembe started portraying Valerie after original actor Brytni Sarpy exited General Hospital. Paulina's Valerie was mostly seen as a responsible police personnel. However, Valerie's story arc was sidelined on a backburner in the last 5-6 years.

Two of Valerie's close connections are currently in the centre stage of the plot of the soap, Lulu and Kristina. Kristina's friction with Molly about the surrogate baby that the former claimed to be hers and then lost, brought Kristina into focus in the soap. On the other hand, a comatose Lulu needs a liver transplant and is poised to return to the show. With Lulu back, whether her cousin and one-time rival, Valerie, returns as well remains to be seen.

Catch the latest happenings on General Hospital on ABC on weekdays.