General Hospital
Casting News

Lots of major casting news has been going on at General Hospital. Jonathan Jackson returned to the show yesterday afternoon.

Today, there are two major announcements:

1. Natalia Livingston is leaving. No word yet on when Rebecca will bid farewell to Port Charles, but the actress is departing the show for good.
2. Marsha Thomason has been cast as a "mystery woman." The character will be involved in some way in James Franco's storyline, according to Soap Opera Digest. Thomason, pictured, appeared in the pilot episode of USA's White Collar.

Said a General Hospital spokesperson, of Livingston:

"We were thrilled that we were able to get Natalia back for a second run, after her Emmy winning turn as Emily Quartermaine. The character of Rebecca Shaw will soon depart the canvas and Natalia has decided to pursue other projects. A beloved member of the GH family, the entire cast and crew wish her well in all her future endeavors."

No General Hospital spoilers prepared us for this:

Scott Reeves is joining the cast of the drama. The actor will debut in December as Steven Lars Webber, a character last portrayed  by Shaun Benson in 2005.

According to TV Guide Magazine, Webber will be thrown into a storyline involving his half-sister, Liz, and the two men in her life: Lucky and Nikolas.

Reeves won't be a series regular, but the recurring role is ideal for the actor and country music artist, who spent a decade as Ryan McNeil on The Young and the Restless.

“I’m still writing music and still recording but I really got hungry for acting again,” said Reeves. “I’ve always had a great respect for General Hospital so I kinda courted them. It was the one show I most wanted to be on.

Steve Burton and I are best friends – we’re literally like brothers – and I just love the people over there. My agent put out feelers and [GH casting director] Mark Teschner called back. They had a role. The timing was perfect.”

The rumors have officially been confirmed: Jonathan Jackson will reprise the role of Lucky Spencer on General Hospital. His debut airdate is October 27.

"We are very excited to welcome Jonathan back to Port Charles," said executive producer Jill Farren Phelps. "His return will be sure to captivate the audience and be pivotal to this ongoing love story between some of the show's most popular characters."

Here's a look at Jackson as Lucky:

In his returning General Hospital storyline, Lucky is after his former wife, Elizabeth, to marry him again.

However, unbeknownst to Spencer, Elizabeth has strong feelings for his brother, Nikolas. This could get messy.

General Hospital fans, already excited over the return of Jonathan Jackson, now have another reason to look forward to the fall:

Film star James Franco will appear for multiple episodes on the soap opera; his first of three scheduled tape dates is October 30.

Franco will then debut on November 20. Jori Petersen, of ABC Daytime, says the actor's run will last for a few months.

“The only thing I can tell you about his character right now is he is playing a mysterious person who comes to Port Charles who will be Jason Morgan’s worst nightmare,” Petersen said.

Franco’s impressive movie resume includes Milk, Pineapple Express and Spider-Man.

A couple of major General Hospital casting notes from the week:

Following six years in the role of Lucky Spencer, Greg Vaughn has been released from General Hospital. He left the following message on his Twitter page:

As of today, with sad regrets, I will no longer be apart of what has been a big part of me and my families life. GH and TPTB have... choosen to take a new direction. I THANK ALL of YOU, for the many memories we've shared and new ones to come!!! ALL MY LOVE, & BIG HUGS...

Meanwhile, Jonathan Jackson will take over the role. The actor - who appeared in an episode of One Tree Hill last year - originated the character of Lucky in 1993.

Unfortunate casting news today for General Hospital fans:

Three-time Emmy winner Sarah Brown will be exiting the show in November.

"Her departure from Port Charles will be buzz-worthy for November sweeps," said a spokesperson. "Stay tuned as we move towards Claudia's exit from the canvas."

The actress, who debuts on the series in 1996, poste the following message on her Twitter page:

"Claudia Zacchara has been a wild ride, every ride stops when the music ends. The music stops mid Oct...  It's been nice being back at GH, but it's time for the character to come to an end, at least for me... Have a film in the works for Nov — a lead role to die for — and we shall [see] what else comes up. Thank you for your support, means the world!"