General Hospital Spoilers: Kelly Monaco Returns As Samantha McCall – Lindsay Hartley OUT!

General Hospital spoilers tease that Kelly Monaco, General Hospital’s original Samantha McCall will return to the role she is best known for soon, according to Bradford Anderson and Steve Burton on their latest podcast.

General Hospital News: Kelly Monaco’s Mother Confirmed Kelly Had Some Problems With Claustrophobia

Viewers may have read that Kelly’s mother, Carmina Monaco confirmed that when the GH crew first were able to go back on set and into production, Kelly had some problems adjusting to having to wear a mask, including breathing problems. Kelly is well known to have some anxiety problems, and Carmina confirmed like character Sonny Corinthos, played by Maurice Benard, she also suffers with claustrophobia and this is likely what caused the attack on set for which she had to delay her return to the role.

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Actress Lindsay Hartley, formerly of the defunct NBC soap “Passions” did a marvelous job of pinch-hitting in the role during Kelly’s absence, especially given such short notice. Carmina reiterated to worried Kelly fans that she has tested negative for Covid-19 three times after the incident, and will air soon, as Lindsay posted a goodbye message to her fans and GH fans on Instagram, and noted it was fun playing Sam!

The verification that Kelly is indeed back on set filming came from Steve Burton, who plays Sam’s other half Jason Morgan, and Bradford Anderson, who plays Sam’s former partner in her private investigator business, Damian Spinelli on their podcast “It’s Awesome!” It’s awesome indeed to know Sam will again “be herself” literally on screen soon!

General Hospital Comings & Goings: Kelly Monaco Returns

Kelly’s (and Samantha’s) fans have been quite vocal on social media, and anxious to see Kelly back on the air in the role. According to General Hospital spoilers, the next time Sam appears is on Tuesday, August 18, so she may air again in that episode, but if not, Sam sightings start up again Friday, August 21. Lindsay Hartley verified on her social media that her last appearance had already aired.

For the most part, fans have been positive about the temporary recast, once they found out it was due to a temporary health issue, although some were upset. Kelly has played Samantha McCall since October 1, 2003 and was nominated for a daytime Emmy in 2006. Kelly is best known as Samantha McCall, although viewers of the General Hospital spin off Port Charles will also recall her as Livvie Locke, which actually predated her role as Sam in General Hospital.

Port Charles ran on ABC from June 1, 1997 to October 3, 2003 so she actually overlapped by a couple of days between the two soaps. Livvie Locke was the daughter of Dr. Kevin Collins, played by Jon Lindstrom, and Rachel Locke, played by Kimberlin Brown.

In addition to the Kevin Collins character, Lucy Coe, played by Lynn Herring, Scott Baldwin, played by Kin Shriner, and Karen Wexler, most recently played by Marie Wilson, also did double duty on General Hospital and Port Charles.

Stay tuned to General Hospital, and keep checking General Hospital spoilers frequently for all the latest news, updates and developments!