GeneralHospitalwill soon look a lot different following the unexpected exit of Kelly Monaco, who has played Sam McCall for 21 years. The surprise casting decision will likely have monumental ripple effects throughout the fictional town of Port Charles and the daytime TV landscape. With Sam being a key player on the canvas for over two decades, the character’s untimely exit will affect most of the remaining characters in some capacity. Unfortunately for Monaco, it appears the decision to exit the sudser was not her own and reportedly “blindsided” the Emmy-nominated actress.
Monaco’s character was recently temporarily recast, withPassionsalum, Lindsay Hartley stepping into the role. However, while it might make sense for Hartley or another actor to take over as Sam, this will not be the case. According toSoap Opera Network, Sam will be killed off, and Monaco’s final scenes are slated to air sometime this fall. While some of thebest soap operashave killed their main characters, this one is not being received well.
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Fan Reaction To The Firing Is Quite Negative
It would be a massive understatement to say the fan reaction to Monaco’sGeneralHospitalexit was negative. The longtime soap star and inauguralDancing With The Starswinner is receiving a tsunami of support. Comments across various social media are indicative of a fanbase that not only wants Monaco to remain as Sam, but they have a laundry list of other characters they’d toss aside ahead of her. One viewertook to X, baffled by the news, writing,“They gone get rid of Sam in the middle of a major story. This feels personal!!”
The story the aforementioned X user is referring to centers around a significant plot point inGeneralHospital’srecent episodes. Sam’s two sisters, Molly Lansing Davis (Kristen Vagonos) and Kristina Corinthos Davis (Kate Mansi) are embattled following the death of Molly’s unborn child, one being carried by Kristina, who was serving as a surrogate. This storyline is one of the driving forces of the series lately, so viewers are having difficulty understanding the timing of Sam being dropped from the soap. However, another fan believes the issue goes beyond Monaco, instead representing the overall treatment of women on the soap.
You can check out a tweet of their impassioned statement below.
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Monaco’s exit comes amid a heavy influx of returningGeneralHospitalveterans and a bloated cast of newcomers. Recent and upcoming returns include the legacy character, Lucky Spencer, once again played by Jonathan Jackson, who originated the role. Rick Heart (Ric Lansing) made his grand return recently as well, being thrust into the storyline mentioned earlier to comfort his daughter, Molly, during the crisis. Emma Samms is also slated to check in atGeneralHospitalsometime soon as well, reprising her legendary role of Holly Sutton. These three mark only the latest examples of high-profileactors who appeared on General Hospitalor are set to appear in the coming weeks.
There’s no word yet regarding what Monaco’s exit storyline will entail. However, her character has significant ties to several players on the canvas that would make her a target. She has a child with mob enforcer, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), and another with his twin brother, Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison), whose past as a Navy SEAL and current bid for Congress could make him susceptible to enemies.
General Hospital
General Hospitalairs on weekdays on ABC with episodes also available to stream on Hulu.
