Finola Hughes Back to 'General Hospital'

Finola Hughes

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Finola Hughes is back in action on General Hospital as Anna Devane.

The actress took some time off this summer, but is taping at the GH studio again.

Hughes will first air on September 28.

Finola Hughes Takes Break From 'General Hospital'

Finola Hughes

Actress Finola Hughes is taking a break from her mega-popular role of Anna Devane on General Hospital.

In the June 13, 2016 issue of Soap Opera Digest, the magazine reports that Hughes is taking a summer break and will be off-screen for much of the season.

Hughes took time off from General Hospital last summer to direct the movie The Byrd and the Bees, a movie that ultimately didn't get made for financial reasons.

Enjoy your time off Finola.  You deserve it!

Update: Hughes tells Digest, "It’s not long. We have a lot of downtime this summer [with breaks in the production hiatus], so I will only be away for a few weeks.”

'General Hospital' Spoilers (May 23-May 27, 2016)

Check out the weekly spoilers below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of May 23, 2016.

* The Nurses' Ball begins.

* Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) plots to disrupt the festivities.

* Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) issues a warning to Nikolas (Tyler Christopher).

* Dillon (Robert Palmer Watkins) learns something interesting about Tracy (Jane Elliot).

* Jordan (Vinessa Antoine) makes an arrest.

* Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) makes a surprising call.

* Paul (Richard Burgi) and Ava (Maura West) play a game of cat and mouse.

* Anna (Finola Hughes) says a final goodbye to Duke.

* Elizabeth is publicly humiliated.

* Ava (Maura West) and Carly (Laura Wright) face off.

* Michael (Chad Duell) learns disturbing information.

* Curtis becomes a hero.

* A dead body is found.

'General Hospital' Promo: Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem!

General Hospital has released its latest promo for the week of May 9, and the soap is promising mystery, murder, and mayhem!

Anna (Finola Hughes) wants to know why Griffin (Matt Cohen) has been lying to her since he arrived in Port Charles, while Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) has had it with Julian (William deVry). Alexis screams at Julian, "How stupid do you think I am?" I wonder what his answer is going to be!

You can watch a sneak peek of all of the action below.

'General Hospital' Star Matt Cohen: "I Want to Live a Huge, Full Life- Filled With Cakes, Hugs, and Smiles!"

Matt Cohen

In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest, Matt Cohen spoke about his new role of Dr. Griffin Monro on General Hospital. The popular actor is thrilled and grateful to be on the daytime soap.

"I'm a guy that never thought I was going to be successful at anything; I always thought my life would be a struggle," he says. "So for me to wake up and have the opportunity to work almost daily at a job that I love, with a group of people that I already consider family, where I can kiss my baby and wife before I leave for work and come home and go to sleep with them at night-- honestly, I couldn't be happier. The actors that I work with on General Hospital are among the best actors that I've worked with on any show I've ever been on, and I feel absolutely privileged to work in that type of atmosphere."

Cohen shares many of his scenes with Finola Hughes (Anna), and she has nothing but praise for him. "He's the best!" she enthuses. "He's willing to work hard and he also has a great sense of humor about the whole thing. He has everything I could ask for in someone to work opposite."

Cohen says of Hughes. "Every piece of dialogue I share with her is a gift I was given by the acting universe. To be in the same room with her delightful, immensely lovely presence is one of the best feelings I've felt in this business. She's phenomenal. That woman is a prize."

He feels that he hit the lottery with Griffin. "I looked at Finola recently and said, 'Man, I am so lucky with this character.' The writers have given me a spinal cord, and they've hooked me into the history of a well-developed show, and a very loved man [Griffin's father, the late, lamented Duke]. I'm just super-excited to see where it's all going to go. More scenes with Anna, with Maxie, with Sonny-- whatever it is, it's going to be great! I'm so grateful to Frank [Valentini, executive producer] and my family at ABC for bringing me here. I'm so thankful, I'll wash all their cars for them!"

Cohen radiates positivity, and this last quote says it all about the charming actor. "My dream is to make it to three digits. I eat healthy, I take vitamins, I exercise, I do what I need to do. I want to live a huge, full life-- filled with cakes, hugs, and smiles!"

Ian Buchanan On His Return to 'General Hospital'

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In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest, Ian Buchanan opens up about his brief return as Duke on General Hospital. Duke appears as an apparition to Finola Hughes's Anna.

"I was very pleased to be asked," says Buchanan. "I wasn't quite sure what it meant when I was told that I would be an apparition, but I felt like, 'Well, that's fine, I can do that! I can be apparitious!' And it was great; I had a great time, but it was bittersweet, of course. Finola had a line like, 'Oh, Duke, I've longed for this for almost a year,' and I said, 'Well, you should have longed harder and sooner [laughs].' Of course, that was not scripted-- and not included! I also felt like, 'If you're going to conjure me, you could have conjured me up with a more comfortable pair of shoes!' " he teases.

"They were honestly the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn; I thought I'd never have to wear them again, and there I was, with my toes cramped inside these tiny, little shoes! But I couldn't bring my own shoes to somebody else's dream. That's very rude, like bringing your own sandwich to a picnic!"

Although Buchanan worked with Hughes, he didn't work with his newly revealed on-screen son Matt Cohen (Griffin). Buchanan says, "I think it's very nice [that Duke was given a child]. I met him at Soap Opera Digest's 40th anniversary party; he introduced himself to me and said, 'I'm your son!' I was like, 'Okay, I don't know what that means!' But I watch the show at the gym and I saw the scenes he did with Finola when it was revealed he was Duke's son and I think it's a really nicely told story. They're great together. But Griffin doesn't appear to be longing for me because I don't appear to him [laughs]!"

What did Buchanan think about Duke and Anna's scenes? "I found it very interesting to work on the scenes with Finola and I thought they were very sweet, very beautifully written and very poignant."

'General Hospital' May 5 Sneak Peek: Alexis Demands the Truth from Julian

Tomorrow on the May 5, 2016 episode of General Hospital, An incredulous Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) confronts Julian (William deVry). Is he playing her for a fool?

Meanwhile, Sonny (Maurice Benard) takes matters into his own hands when it comes to Carlos (Jeffrey Vincent Parise).

Elsewhere, Griffin (Matt Cohen) reveals more of himself to Anna (Finola Hughes).

'General Hospital' Spoilers (May 9-May 13, 2016) The Truth about Griffin Stuns Sonny and Anna

Check out the weekly spoilers below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of May 9, 2016.

* An unexpected truth about Griffin (Matt Cohen) stuns Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Anna (Finola Hughes).

* A horrible accident puts several lives in danger.

* Jason's (Billy Miller) memory comes flooding back.

* Jason (Billy Miller) wants to share his experiences with Sam (Kelly Monaco).

'General Hospital' May 4 Sneak Peek: Nathan and Griffin Square off!

Nathan and Griffin square off.

Today on the May 4, 2016 episode of General Hospital, Nathan (Ryan Paevey) and Griffin (Matt Cohen) square off.

Meanwhile, Anna (Nancy Lee Grahn) reaches her breaking point, and Jason (Billy Miller) makes demands of Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst).

Elsewhere, Franco (Roger Howarth) confides his emotional trauma to a sympathetic ear.

Ian Buchanan Returns to 'General Hospital'

Ian Buchanan

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Ian Buchanan is on his way back to General Hospital!

Buchanan is set to appear in several episodes in May as an apparition of the dearly departed Duke Lavery.

“I was very pleased to be asked,” Buchanan tells Digest, describing the scenes he shot with Finola Hughes (Anna) as "very sweet, very beautifully written and very poignant."

Will he share scenes with Matt Cohen (Griffin) as well? Stay Tuned!

2016 Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series Emmy Predictions

Five actresses will compete for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmys tonight.

Nominated are: Finola Hughes (Anna) General Hospital, Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) Days of our Lives, Maura West (Ava) General Hospital, Tracey Bregman (Lauren) The Young and the Restless, and Kassie DePaiva (Eve) Days of our Lives.

Below are clips of their nominated performances, and my predictions on who "should" and "will" win:

Risa Dorken Talks New 'General Hospital' Role

Risa Dorken

Risa Dorken appears for the first time this week on General Hospital as Amy, a character who is a lot like legacy character Amy Vining (Shell Kepler).

Dorken tells Soap Opera Digest, "I've gone back and looked at old footage of her, but I'm not imitating her. It's not supposed to be her, but it's definitely a wink in her direction."

Once the actress was hired, she learned more about the original Amy. "When I auditioned, It was under a different character name, so I was unaware [of Amy's history]," she says. "But when I first got to the set, I met Finola [Hughes, Anna] and Nancy [Lee Grahn, Alexis] and some of the people on the crew who knew Shell, and they were all saying that I reminded them of her, and sharing their memories of her, which is really cool."

Dorken has been at GH for two weeks, and she still can't believe she is on the show. "Every time I drive to the lot, you see the actual General Hospital sign, and just seeing that gives me butterflies in my stomach. I have to pinch myself that I'm actually there!"

Dorken's first ever-scene was with Kirsten Storms. "My first-ever scene was with Maxie, Kirsten Storms, and I grew up watching her on the Disney Channel [in the ZENON movies]. I was so excited to meet her and she was so sweet."

Will Dorken end up performing at the Nurses' Ball? "I have a musical theater background; that's what I studied and that's what I love to do," she enthuses. "But all I can say is, perhaps Amy will make an appearance."

Dorken first airs May 4.

'General Hospital' April 22 Sneak Peek: Scotty Gets a Creative Idea About How to Help Anna

Tomorrow on the April 22 episode of General Hospital, Scott (Kin Shriner) gets a creative idea about how to represent Anna (Finola Hughes).

Meanwhile, Michael (Chad Duell) finds a clue to where Sabrina (Teresa Castillo) is.

Elsewhere, Franco's (Roger Howarth) attempt to make amends with Nina (Michelle Stafford) goes very wrong.

Watch The 2016 Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series Emmy Reels (VIDEO)

Five actresses will compete for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmys. Nominated are: Finola Hughes (Anna) General Hospital, Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) Days of our Lives, Maura West (Ava) General Hospital, Tracey Bregman (Lauren) The Young and the Restless, and Kassie DePaiva (Eve) Days of our Lives.

You can watch clips of their nominated performances below.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (April 18-April 22, 2016)

Ned and Olivia are reunited this week on General Hospital

Check out the weekly spoilers below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of April 18, 2016.

* Sonny (Maurice Benard) threatens Julian (William DeVry).

* Julian comes up with a plan that involves Alexis's (Nancy Lee Grahan) help.

* Jordan arrest Anna (Finola Hughes) and Paul (Richard Burgi) for their shootings of Carlos and Sloan.

* Scott (kin Shriner) has an unconventional idea on how to represent Anna.

* Laura (Genie Francis) learns the meaning of Helena's message.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (April 11-April 15, 2016)

Check out the weekly spoilers below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of April 11, 2016.

* Julian (William DeVry) spills his guts to Ava (Maura West).

* Nathan (Ryan Paevey) has an unexpected reaction to Nina's (Michelle Stafford) advice.

* Jordan and Paul (Richard Burgi) wonder about Anna's (Finola Hughes) fate.

* Hayden (Rebecca Budig) celebrates.

'General Hospital' March 31 Sneak Peek: Emma Returns to Port Charles and Meets Dr. Griffin Monro

Emma returns to Port Charles and meets Dr. Griffin Monro

Today on the March 31 episode of General Hospital, Emma (Brooklyn Rae Silzer) returns to Port Charles, and meets Dr. Griffin Monro (Matt Cohen). Emma asks Griffin, "Are you a friend of my Grandma's?"

Meanwhile, Sonny (Maurice Benard) tells Julian (William deVry) that Carlos (Jeffrey Vincent Parise) is alive, and Morgan (Bryan Craig) is determined to get his life back.

Elsewhere, Carly (Laura Wright) and Ava (Maura West) face off.

You can watch a sneak peek below

Daytime Emmys - Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress - Top 5

Daytime Emmys - Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress - My Top 5
By Carolyn LeVine Topol

I never (at least rarely) shy away from a challenge. The task at hand — select my top five choices among all the acting nominees for the 2016 Daytime Emmys. I was completely overwhelmed by this daunting decision, so I offered a compromise. Despite the quality performances by all the nominated actors, I will put myself out on a limb, and narrow the list down to my top five in the combined categories of Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress.

Since I am not privy to the actual submission, I am basing my selections on the stars’ 2015 performances.

'General Hospital' March 29 Sneak Peek: Jason is Pulled Toward the Quartermaines

Jason is drawn to the Quartermaines

Tomorrow, on the March 29 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Billy Miller) is pulled toward the Quartermaines

Meanwhile, Anna (Finola Hughes) joins forces with an unlikely source, and Scott (Kin Shriner) has a proposition for Ava.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (March 21-25, 2016)

Check out the weekly spoilers to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of March 21-25, 2016.

* Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) believes she has a way to unlock Jake's memories of his missing years on Cassadine Island

* Spinelli uncovers a lead about Hayden's (Rebecca Budig) true identity.

* Anna (Finola Hughes) realizes she is being a little paranoid.

* Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) receives some surprising news.

* Elizabeth does some snooping.

* Sonny (Maurice Benard) tries to be a supportive father

* Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) acts on an impulse.

* Tracy (Jane Elliot) gets good news.

* Ava (Maura West) seeks help from an unlikely source

* Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) brings Sam (Kelly Monaco) up to speed

* Laura (Genie Francis) and Lulu (Emme Rylan) discover the trunk the key Helena left her unlocks

* Inside the trunk is an object from a long forgotten romance of Laura's.

* Elizabeth discovers Hayden's secret.