General Hospital

Constance Towers is coming back to Port Charles.

The portrayer of everyone's favorite murderous matriarch, Helena Cassadine, will appear again on General Hospital next month.

"Just when things couldn't get more complicated [between Nikolas, Lucky and Elizabeth], Helena comes to town to stir the pot," Head Writer Robert Guza, Jr. told Soap Opera Digest.

Here's an early look at what General Hospital fans can look forward to on next week's episodes...

• Kristina falls back into Kiefer's arms.
• Dominic (Dominic Zamprogna, pictured) and Lulu are okay!
• Robin and Patrick kiss and make-up.
• Steve offers Elizabeth some advice.

It's a new year on General Hospital. But Franco is still up to his old, dangerous tricks, as evidenced by these spoilers for the week ahead...

• Franco sets his sights on Sam and Carly.
• Jason comes up with a new plan. 
• Lulu falls into Franco’s clutches.
• Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst, pictured) is afraid that Lucky knows about her and Nikolas.

General Hospital say goodbye to 2009, and hello to 2010, with the following storylines next week...

• Johnny discovers the truth about what happened to Claudia.
• Lulu and Dante go on their first date.
• Jason can't find Sam.
• Maxie tries to make things right for Spinelli.

There's one downside to Christmas: General Hospital will only air three new episodes next week. These storylines will be featured on them...

• The murder scenes depicted in Franco's photographs are coming true!
• Lisa is shocked to learn that Robin is HIV positive.
• Maxie (Kirsten Storms, pictured) and Spinelli survive a rough patch. 
• Laura’s special angel looks over her family.

A terrifying discovery highlights the week ahead on General Hospital, as the show bears down on Christmas in Port Charles...

• Maxie and Lulu attempt to erase Maxie’s betrayal.
• Patrick clashes with Steve (Scott Reeves, pictured).
• Lucky and Dominic consider: might Franco be committing the crimes he depicts in his work?
• Lulu makes a horrifying discovery.

There's been a casting shake-up on General Hospital:

Brianna Brown is in and Julie Mond is out.

The former will premiere in the role of Patrick's ex, Dr. Lisa Niles, on January 6. She takes over for Mond, who first aired as the same character on November 18. A General Hospital insider: says the switch took place "due to a change in direction for storyline."

Brown (above) has appeared on CSI: Miami and The Closer, among other dramas.

James Franco is featured prominently next week on General Hospital...

• The mystery surrounding Franco’s graffiti tag is revealed.
• Spinelli get closer to the truth.
• Elizabeth tells Steve the truth.
• Sonny has seductive plans for Olivia.

Without giving away too much away, here's a look at the developments expected over the next few days on General Hospital...

• Jason, Sam and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson, pictured) set out to find out all they can about Franco.
• Lulu is there for Dominic. 
• Olivia offers reassuring words to Johnny.
• Michael’s ambitions continue to trouble his parents.

There are only three new episodes of General Hospital next week. But the show jams a lot of action into each one...

• Matt (Jason Cook, pictured) hits it off with Lisa.
• Lucky demands answers from Sonny.
• Morgan schemes to bring Jax and Carly together. 
• Will Mac and Alexis get together?