General Hospital Adds Four New Characters, Including Veteran Soap Star – But Fans Are Criticizing ‘Unnecessary’ Cast Members

GENERAL Hospital announced a major cast change with the addition of four new characters to the show, but fans don’t think it’s the best move.

On Monday, the soap opera revealed that it has brought back several cast members, some of whom fans may recognize.

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According to Soap opera summaryVeteran soap opera actor Rick Hearst, who previously starred on General Hospital, is returning to the show and beginning filming this week.

Although Rick’s character Ric Lansing left the series in 2016, he still has ties to Port Charles, as his niece Kristina (Kate Mansi) and daughter Molly (Kristen Vaganos) are prominent characters.

Ric’s ex-wife Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) and half-brother Sonny (Maurice Benard) will also likely be affected by Ric’s return.

This isn’t the first time fans have seen Rick come and go from the show, as he initially took on the role in 2002 until 2009.

DEVOTED SOAP STARS

He took a brief hiatus in 2007 to undergo throat surgery, leaving Nick Kiriazis to replace him.

Rick returned in 2014 before leaving again two years later.

Soap fanatics are familiar with Rick’s work, as he’s starred in nearly every major daytime TV drama over his decades-long career.

Rick’s scenes on General Hospital are expected to air the week of August 19th.

Other additions to the show include Emma Samms, who last appeared on the ABC drama in 2023.

Emma plays Holly Sutton – a role she has held since 1982.

She returned for many short-term trips over the years, as Holly always returned to Port Charles.

Fans will see Holly once again when her episodes air in early September.

New faces added to the cast are Jordan Murphy, who will play US Attorney Wilcox, and Gita Reddy, who will play Judge Sullivan.

General Hospital Cast

General Hospital has been on the air since the early 1960s.

The cast of the iconic soap opera includes:

• Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos)
• Chad Duell (Michael Corinthos)
• Katelyn MacMullen (Corinthos Willow)
• Robert Gossett (Marshall Ashford)
• Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase)
• Gregory Harrison (Gregory Chase)
• Michael Easton (Hamilton Finn)
• Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones)
• Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri)
• Kelly Monaco (Samantha McCall)
• Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber-Baldwin)
• Cynthia Wattros (Nina Reeves)
• Maura West (Ava Jerome)

Celebrity Appearances:

• Demi Moore (1982-1984)
• Meghan Markle (2002)
• Mark Hamil (1972)
• Kristin Davis (1991)
• Eva Longoria (2000)
• George Takei (1985)
• Elizabeth Taylor (1981)

These episodes will air this week.

Many devoted General Hospital fans don’t agree with the cast construction, with some calling the decision “unnecessary.”

“Ugh, I hated Ric Lansing. He was a criminal who was busy kidnapping women, holding hostages in a panic room to take the baby to Liz and other criminal activities, but he was a lawyer who acted like a saint,” one person spoke on X about the character’s return from Rick.

Wow, the hospital’s overall budget must be through the roof. Plus the expensive cast members they have now,” another person commented.

MORE REACTION FROM FANS

“Unnecessary casting instead of delivering consistently good stories,” complained a third.

Meanwhile, fans have recently called for a change of writer to rework the show’s lackluster storylines.

They also begged producers to fire Adam J Harrington’s character Special Agent John Cates, who was first introduced to viewers in the 90s, claiming it was time.

General Hospital airs on ABC weekdays at 2pm and the next day on Hulu.

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