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General Hospital is one of the longest-running soap operas. Since its debut in 1963, it has continued to captivate its audience. Over the years, the soap has witnessed several exits and returns of old characters and the introduction of new characters.
The year 2024 has had several old characters return, some notable recasts, and few exits. Some character exits, like Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco), disappointed fans, while returns, like Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson), excited them.
General Hospital: Returns and exits of 2024
Returns / Newbies
1) Jonathan Jackson as Lucky Spencer
Lucky Spencer, son of Luke Spencer and Laura Spencer, was introduced in 1985. Jonathan Jackson first portrayed the character at age 10, later succeeded by Jacob Young and Greg Vaughan. In 2009, Jackson reprised the role but again left the soap in 2011.
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After a decade-long absence, Jackson has returned to reprise the role in 2024. Since his return, he has reconnected with his son, Aiden Spencer and his ex-wife, Elizabeth Webber.
2) Alexa Havins Bruening as Lulu Spencer
Lulu Spencer was introduced on General Hospital in 1994. She is the daughter of Luke and Laura Spencer and sister of Lucky Spencer. Emme Rylan primarily portrayed the role until 2020. In 2020, Lulu went into a coma after being injured in a bomb blast.
In 2024, after recovering from the coma, Lulu returned to Port Charles with Alexa Havins portraying her. Havins has earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for her role in the soap opera All My Children.
3)Bradyn Bruner as Emma Drake
Emma Drake was born on-screen in 2008 to Dr. Patrick Drake and Dr. Robin Scorpio. Brooklyn Rae Silzer portrayed Emma since she was 5 years old from 2011-2018. Emma left Port Charles and moved to California with her parents.
Emma returned to the show on December 23, 2024. Braedyn Bruner has taken over the role when the character returned to Port Charles. She celebrated Christmas with the Scorpio Family and had a small encounter with Gio Palmieri. Fans expressed sadness for Silzer's departure but were also excited to see Bruner's portrayal of Emma.
4) Steve Burton as Jason Morgan
Jason Morgan was introduced in 1991, and Steve Burton played the role. Burton has won a Daytime Emmy Award and three Soap Opera Digest awards for his portrayal of Jason. He became a fan-favorite antagonist who was involved with the mob.
After being presumed dead in a shootout in 2021, Jason returned to General Hospital in 2024 revealing that he is alive. Since his return, he has stopped the assassination attempt on Sonny Corithos and reunited with his family. He has also been working as an FBI informant.
5) Emma Samms as Holly Sutton
Holly Sutton was introduced on General Hospital in 1982. After arriving in Port Charles, she got romantically involved with Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer. Emma Samms has been playing the role since the introduction.
Holly was presumed dead after an international incident. However, she returned in 2024 and revealed that she had been hiding from a dangerous criminal organization.
Holly's return was dramatic featuring her saving Robert Scorpio from an ambush. She is now involved in dealing with the threats tied to the Cassadine legacy.
Exits
1) Kelly Monaco as Sam McCall
Sam McCall was introduced in 2003 as a private investigator on General Hospital. She is the daughter of Julian Jerome and Alexis Davis. Since her introduction in 2003, Kelly Monaco has portrayed her.
In 2024, Sam died due to a heart attack despite efforts to save her. The reasons behind the heart attack have not yet been revealed.
The decision to write off Sam was made by the producers. In the now-deleted post on Instagram, Monaco commented that her exit doesn't make sense.
2) Micheal Easton as Dr. Hamilton Finn
Dr. Hamilton Finn was introduced in 2016 as a brilliant and compassionate surgeon. Portrayed by Micheal Easton, Hamilton's story focussed on his struggle with addiction, his romantic involvement with Anna Devane, and his journey as a single father to Violet Finn.
Finn left General Hospital to pursue a research opportunity abroad. He bid emotional goodbyes to his daughter and other friends in 2024. His exit was written in a way that allowed future returns.
3) Avery Kristen Pohl as Esme Prince
Esme Prince, portrayed by Avery Pohl, was introduced as an antagonist in 2021. She orchestrated several schemes and framed others for crimes. Esme had a complicated relationship with her father, Ryan Chamberlain.
When it was revealed to her that her father had been using her as a pawn, she reevaluated her actions and attempted to rebuild her life. During a confrontation with the Cassadine family, Esme falls off the ship and is presumed to be dead.
Fans can watch new episodes of General Hospital on ABC.
