List of General Hospital characters introduced in the 2020s
Last updated
General Hospital is an American television soap opera that was first broadcast on April 1, 1963. The following is a list of characters that first appear in the show during the 2020s, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the show's executive producer Frank Valentini. Brando Corbin (Johnny Wactor) was introduced in January 2020, as the distant relative of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard). Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) made his first appearance in February 2021, as an antagonist to Benard's Sonny. Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr) debuted in March 2020 as the mother of Trina Robinson and is later employed at General Hospital. In 2021, the characters of Austin Gatlin-Holt (Roger Howarth), Esme Prince (Avery Kristen Pohl) and Marshall Ashford (Robert Gossett) were introduced. The characters of Rory Cabrera (Michael Blake Kruse) and Cody Bell (Josh Kelly) were introduced in March and June 2022, respectively. Additionally, multiple other characters appear throughout the decade.
Brando Corbin, portrayed by Johnny Wactor, made his first appearance on January 30, 2020. The casting was announced on January 25 of the same year.[1] In July 2022, Wactor was let go from the soap,[2] and made his final appearance on September 20.[3]
Cyrus Renault, portrayed by Jeff Kober, made his first appearance on February 5, 2020.[4]
In January 2020, Sonny Corinthos receives news a truck containing a shipment of coffee had been stolen, with the truck subsequently found abandoned and burned. While in Brooklyn, New York with his father, Mike and enforcer, Jason Morgan, the three are ambushed in a restaurant by armed gunmen. Simultaneous to this, two additional ambushes occur in Port Charles - one at Sonny's coffee warehouse, endangering Gladys Corbin and Carly Corinthos, and the other at the pier, threatening Michael Corinthos, Josslyn Jacks, Sasha Gilmore and Laura Collins. Laura is shot in the stomach during the Pier ambush, while the others were saved after Dustin Phillips fought off the gunman. Meanwhile, at the warehouse, Brando Corbin arrived and was able to rescue Gladys and Carly. In Brooklyn, Jason was able to fend off their attacker, while Sonny focused on keeping an agitated Mike calm. Following the skirmish at the warehouse, two of Sonny's men were able to capture one of the attackers, who after being interrogated, attempting escape, and being shot by Jason, reveals the name of his employer - Cyrus Renault.
Renault is revealed to be drug runner, who typically operates out of the Pacific Northwest, but has recently been transferred to Pentonville Penitentiary outside of Port Charles. Sonny opts to pay him a visit, during which Cyrus attempts to entice him into running drugs with him, which Sonny refuses. Parallel to this, it is revealed that Police Commissioner Jordan Ashford once worked as part of a DEA task force alongside Marcus Taggert and two other agents to take down Renault. The two other agents have recently been found dead, with it made to seem as if they died of drug overdoses. Jordan had infiltrated Cyrus's organization and taken a place as his right-hand when her team had manufactured evidence to incriminate Cyrus, resulting in his imprisonment. Cyrus denies any responsibility in the deaths of the other agents.
Jason discovers the location of a warehouse owned by Renault, which he arranges to have blown up.
Portia Robinson, portrayed by Brook Kerr, made her first appearance on March 5, 2020. Her casting was announced on February 26, 2020,[5] with Portia being introduced as a doctor, who is also the mother of Trina Robinson (Sydney Mikayla/Tabyana Ali).
Speaking to Soap Opera Digest, Kerr called the role a "blessing," and discussed the audition process, stating it "came out of the blue and when it did, I was like, 'Yes! This is perfect!'" She further discussed her luck of working with several of the soap's cast members, revealing: "A lot of these cast members, I've been a fan of for a long time. The fact that I'm kind of in the middle of it now is so amazing! I'm just really enjoying the ride and I'm so happy to be a part of this team now."[6]
In 2024, Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows included Portia in his list of the best mothers in American soap operas, explaining that Portia has "raised in Trina an admirable young woman who knows that honesty is always the best policy. Uless [[[sic]]] there's a question mark hanging over your daughter's paternity. Then, erm, let's call it a gray area."[7]
Austin Gatlin-Holt
Austin Gatlin-Holt, portrayed by Roger Howarth, made his first appearance on May 27, 2021. Prior to his debut, Howarth previously portrayed the roles of Todd Manning (2012–2013) and Franco Baldwin (2013–2021). Following the exit of Franco, Howarth spoke out about his status with the soap and his future, stating: "I'm really excited. I have great faith in the people who think of these things. I've been in good hands so far."[8] Speaking on his debut of Austin, he remarked: "I love what I do and I was glad to get back to it — but there's a certain amount of nervous energy that showed up."[9]
In a subsequent June 2021 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Howarth described himself as "in the approach" of Austin. He further explained: "In terms of figuring it out, what's been really kind of fun is that as soon as I think I have it figured out, I'm reminded that I just don't. So there's been some trial and error. I'm learning to juggle and sometimes I drop the ball. But I have a lot of support; [Co-Head Writers] Chris [Van Etten] and Dan [O'Connor] have a lot of great ideas and Frank [Valentini, executive producer] has chimed in with what he needs, and so for me, at the risk of overusing ‘juggling exercises’, I am trying to juggle a lot of different inputs and trying to stay on track and do what’s expected. And it’s been fun. It requires some concentration from me and different parts of my brain that I wasn’t using."[10]
On November 20, 2023, Howarth announced his dismissal.[11] In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, he revealed: "I got a phone call from somebody I've known for a very long time who I love very dearly telling me that when my contract was up at ABC, I would not be offered a new contract and that the character of Austin would be killed, and that this was something that both wanted and needed to do to move story."[12] Austin departed during the final moments of the November 17 episode.[13]
Pohl departed the role on January 31, 2024. In storyline, Esme and Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) go overboard during a confrontation aboard the yacht he rented into the waters, and are presumed dead.[15]
Marshall Ashford
Marshall Ashford, portrayed by Robert Gossett, made his first appearance on October 18, 2021.[16] Initially a recurring cast member, Gossett was upgraded to regular status as of April 2022.[17]
In October 2021, a mysterious man arrives in Port Charles, and begins taking an interest in both Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) and his nephew, TJ Ashford (Tajh Bellow). Initially suspecting him to be connected to Cyrus, Curtis later confronts him at which point the man introduces himself as Marshall Ashford, Curtis's presumed dead father. Curtis attempts to pursue answers about Marshall's whereabouts over the decades; Marshall is evasive, only indicating he stayed away to keep his family safe.
Rory Cabrera
Rory Cabrera, portrayed by Michael Blake Kruse, made his first appearance on March 29, 2022. His casting was first announced the day prior on March 28.[17][18] Rory is introduced as the newest recruit hired at the Port Charles Police Department.
Cody Bell
Josh Kelly was cast in the role of Cody in May 2022.
Cody has been billed as a character that would "greatly affect the lives of Sam (Monaco), Dante (Dom Zamprogna) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)."[19] In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, Kelly detailed his joining the role, stating: "I was excited and nervous. I haven't done this much dialogue in this short of an amount of time, but that's the challenge and it's one of the reasons I wanted to do this. It's a good work routine, and I think it's good for your mind and your body. I came in for a Covid test on a Thursday, did a wardrobe fitting on a Friday and then on Monday, I was working – out of the frying pan and into the fire!"[21]
Kai Taylor
Kai Taylor, played by Jens Austin Astrup, made his first appearance in November 12, 2024. Astrup's casting details and character were announced on October 21 of the same year. Kai will be introduced when he meets Trina Robinson (Ali) at Port Charles University.[22]
A nurse, whose real name is Marie Hopkins, who is hired by Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms) to assist in the anticipated birth of her daughter, Louise Jones; she is later hired by Peter August (Ramsey) to help keep a secret eye on Maxie, and later kidnaps Maxie with the intent of taking Louise to Peter.
A pilot hired by Peter August (Ramsey) to fly him, Maxie Jones and Louise out of Pawtuck to an undisclosed location. He is also the brother of the late Chloe Jennings (Brown). David is later tracked down at Ryan's Bar in New York City by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) and Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), where he admits there was another person on the roof of General Hospital the day of Peter's disappearance.
The personal assistant of the producer of Home & Heart, which Sasha Gilmore is appearing in. She was played by the real life daughter of Genie Francis (who plays Laura Spencer).
Roger Howarth is an American actor. He played character Todd Manning on the daytime drama One Life to Live (OLTL); the character earned Howarth a Daytime Emmy Award in 1994, and is cited as an icon in the soap opera genre. He left the series in 2003 and joined soap opera As the World Turns, where he played the character of Paul Ryan until the series' final episode in 2010. Howarth returned to OLTL in May 2011, continuing the role on General Hospital in March 2012. Due to a lawsuit from Prospect Park, Howarth, along with Kristen Alderson and Michael Easton, were forced to exit their roles in March 2013, only to return as new characters in May of the same year. He returned as Franco on General Hospital, the character formerly created and portrayed by James Franco. When the character was written off in March 2021, Howarth returned two months later as a new character, Austin Gatlin-Holt. In addition to his soap opera work, Howarth has guest starred in television shows such as Prey, The Flash and Dawson's Creek.
General Hospital is an American daytime television soap opera. It is listed in Guinness World Records as the longest-running American soap opera in production, and the second in American history after Guiding Light. Concurrently, it is the world's third longest-running scripted drama series in production after British serials The Archers and Coronation Street, as well as the world's second-longest-running televised soap opera still in production. General Hospital premiered on the ABC television network on April 1, 1963. General Hospital is the longest-running serial produced in Hollywood, and the longest-running entertainment program in ABC television history. It holds the record for most Daytime Emmy Awards for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, with 14 wins.
Jason Morgan is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Created by Thom Racina and Leah Laiman, he is most notably played by Daytime Emmy Award-winning actor Steve Burton, who joined the cast in 1991 and vacated the role in 2012. Burton later reprised the role from 2017 to 2021, and again in 2024. Jason was born offscreen in September 1981 and the character made his onscreen debut weeks later but was seen portrayed by a child actor in November 1981 as the son of Dr. Alan Quartermaine and his mistress, Susan Moore, later adopted by Alan's wife Dr. Monica Quartermaine. As one of the longest-running characters on the show, the role was played by various child actors from 1981 to 1988. In 2014, Billy Miller was cast in the role. With Burton's 2017 return, Miller's casting was later retconned as Jason's twin brother, Andrew Cain.
Carly Corinthos is a fictional character from General Hospital, a soap opera on the ABC network, portrayed by Laura Wright from 2005. A collaborative effort between the writers, Carly – originally played by Sarah Joy Brown from 1996 to 2001 — was introduced under executive producer Wendy Riche. A "love to hate" character who brings excitement to storylines because of her devious ways, Carly is the illegitimate daughter of former bad girl turned heroine, Bobbie Spencer.
Michael Corinthos is a fictional character on General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. Introduced in 1997, the role was portrayed by several child actors—most notably Dylan Cash when the character was rapidly aged in 2002. In 2009, the character was aged again when Drew Garrett stepped into the role. Garrett was replaced by Chad Duell after one year with the series. Robert Adamson pinch-hit for Duell in 2022 and 2024 when the actor was unavailable for various reasons.
Morgan Corinthos is a fictional character from the original ABC Daytime soap opera, General Hospital, last portrayed by Bryan Craig. Morgan is the first biological child of Sonny and Carly Corinthos.
Jasper "Jax" Jacks is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. He has been portrayed mainly by actor Ingo Rademacher since 1996. The role was temporarily played by Gideon Emery during Rademacher's absence from the show in January 2008. The character gained popularity due to a love triangle storyline involving him and supercouple Sonny Corinthos and Brenda Barrett. When Brenda left the show, the love triangle was continued with Sonny and Carly Benson.
Kate Howard is a fictional character from the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital. The character was originated by actress Megan Ward, who portrayed the role from May 2007 to October 2010. In September 2011, the role was re-introduced with actress Kelly Sullivan. Connie is known for having two distinct alternate personalities – Connie, who later changed her name to Kate Howard, who established her career and who the character was initially introduced as, and an alternate personality also named Connie, who was based on her life back in Bensonhurst. Sullivan departed the role in August 2013, when the character was killed off, but made a one-off appearance in October 2014. Ward briefly returned for one episode in January 2018, and for another in December 2020.
Julian Jerome is a fictional character from the original ABC Daytime drama General Hospital. Created by Ann Marcus and Norma Monty, the role was originally portrayed by Jason Culp from 1988 to 1990. William deVry took over the role upon the character's re-introduction in 2013 before exiting in 2020.
Shawn Butler is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The role is portrayed by actor Sean Blakemore and first appeared on January 24, 2011, on a recurring basis. On April 6, 2011, it was announced that Blakemore was put on contract with the series. On May 18, 2015, it was announced that Blakemore had taped his last scenes as Shawn and would be exiting the series. Butler returned for one day on November 19, 2015. Butler was visited by Sam and Jason Morgan in early April 2016.
Kiki Jerome is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. The role was originated by Kristen Alderson in 2013 when Kiki was introduced as the troublesome girlfriend of Morgan Corinthos having gotten him involved in a dangerous gambling ring. Alderson had previously appeared in the series as Starr Manning, a role she originated on One Life to Live. The character was written into the series as the illegitimate daughter of Franco in 2009. Upon her introduction, Kiki's mother Ava Jerome reveals that she is the biological daughter of Dr. Silas Clay. In 2015, Alderson vacated the role and was replaced by Hayley Erin, who exited the role in late 2018. Erin returned for a one-episode guest appearance in 2019.
Nelle Benson is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. Created by Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante, and introduced by executive producer Frank Valentini, Nelle is portrayed by actress Chloe Lanier, who made her first appearance on August 8, 2016.
Tajh Romell Bellow is an American actor. He is best known for his role on General Hospital as TJ Ashford. In 2021, Bellow was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series.
Trina Robinson is a fictional character from General Hospital, an American soap opera on the ABC network. The role was originated played by Tiana Le from 2017 to 2018. Nearly a year later on February 20, 2019, Sydney Mikayla took over the role. Later that year, Mikayla began appearing as a series regular. She vacated the role in March 2022; Tabyana Ali replaced her later that month.
↑ SOD (September 21, 2022). "Johnny Wactor on GH Exit". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2022. On the September 20 episode of GH, Johnny Wactor's Brando Corbin became the first victim of Port Charles's new serial attacker, The Hook.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
