A monumental transformation is looming over Port Charles as Kelly Monaco, the beloved actress portraying Sam McCall, prepares to bid farewell to the hallowed halls of 'General Hospital.' Deadline has authenticated the heart-wrenching news that Monaco, a stalwart of the ABC soap opera since 2003, will depart the series sometime this autumn. Having graced over 2,200 episodes of 'GH' and garnering two prestigious Daytime Emmy nods for her exceptional work, Monaco also triumphantly clinched the coveted mirrorball trophy in the inaugural season of 'Dancing with the Stars.' The initial whisper of this stunning exit was delicately captured by Soap Opera Network.
Monaco's abrupt departure echoes a similar seismic event earlier this year on CBS's 'The Bold & the Beautiful,' where Executive Producer Brad Bell made the bold move to dispatch Sheila Carter, memorably enacted by the adored Kimberlin Brown. Brown candidly shared with Deadline that the unexpected decision to write her character off was a "pillow of adversity to swallow," especially in light of the subsequent reversal two months later, when Sheila was miraculously resurrected.
Indeed, change is in the very air at 'General Hospital.' Earlier this month, a ripple of shock reverberated as co-head writer Patrick Mulcahey announced his departure, while Chris Van Etten made a triumphant return to helm the writers' room alongside Elizabeth Korte. Adding fuel to the fire, Deadline exclusively revealed last week that Sawandi Wilson ('Star Trek: Discovery') will embark on a new chapter as Isaiah, a character shrouded in mystery but hinted to hold a profound "connection" to Jonathan Jackson's Lucky. Wilson's entrance into the 'GH' universe is marked for August 26, promising a fresh wave of drama and intrigue.
