Genie Francis Taking a Break from ‘General Hospital’: ‘I Promise, I Will Be Back’
Exclusive
Genie Francis, who has played General Hospital’s Laura on and off since 1977, is taking a well-deserved break from her iconic role — but GH fans don’t have to worry, it’s just a temporary leave.
“I’ve had such a fun time on GH, and I’ve absolutely loved what the writers gave me to work with this season,” Francis tells TV Insider, exclusively. “And, there are some really great storylines planned for the fall – but for now, I’ve decided to take the summer off. I am very much looking forward to spending the time with my family and relaxing a bit. I promise, though, I will be back to Port Charles before you know it.”
Francis was nominated earlier this year for a Daytime Emmy in the category of Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama Series for her GH role. In 2007, she took home the gold in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for playing Laura.
Over the last year, the GH scribes delved into Laura’s rich history by revealing that her late birth father, Gordon Grey, was also the dad of baddie Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) and attorney Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight). Other story highlights include Laura watching her daughter Lulu (Emme Rylan) lapse into a coma and sharing screentime with her mother Lesley (Denise Alexander).
“I was absolutely thrilled with the story,” Francis told TV Insider in June. “This all goes back to what makes Laura ‘Laura.” They’ve done such a wonderful job of tying her history into the present in such a brilliant way. I’m thrilled that today’s audience knows even more about Laura and who she is.”
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G
Absolutely no interest in the Sonny Nina Story or the Dante Sam story. And whoever is dressing Sam needs to be fired lol
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O
I agree I actually hate it, makes Nina look like a really nasty person. And they are stretching it too long. Boring
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P
Love Me Some GH
We love Laura
Aka Geanie Francis.
Enjoy ur break
Would love to see my crazy girl
Heather Webber to return
Played by Robin Matteson
9
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O
I feel the same way, Give Sonny back his memory and it will be all over. This whole storyline is stretched too long I’m getting kind of bored.
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P
Wishful casting:
Gina Tognoni as Sarah Webber.
Jon Hensley as Steven Lars Webber.
Daniel Goddard as a relation to Jax.
Sean Kanan as AJ Quartermaine.
Tyler Christopher as Nikolas Cassadine.
Julie Marie Berman as Lulu Spencer.
Greg Marx or Jon Wesley Shipp as Jeff Webber.
Colleen Zenk as Celia Quartermaine.
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G
lol
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C
I’m with you, especially bringing Tyler Christopher and Julie Berman back as Nikolas and Lulu!
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R
Marcus Coloma is fine but Tyler was fantastic. Tyler can hold his own with Maura West. With Coloma and West, it’s not an even pairing.
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R
Emme Rylan got screwed. As did William DeVry. I hope he reappears one day. He is missed. Julie Berman was always Lulu to me.
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G
What's wrong with bringing back Scott Reeves as Steven Lars?not liking his politics isn't a good enough reason.
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R
Just don’t find his portrayal interesting. Nothing to do with his politics.
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O
Clearly an ATWT fan. Excellent casting...for me, ATWT is still the best daytime drama of all time
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P
The late-great Douglas Marland and Pat Falken Smith wrote the best GH stories. Followed by Claire Labine. Chris Van Etten and Daniel James O’Connor get an A for effort. I just wish there was a bit more depth. Still wish the best for the show. Thank you for the dedication Frank Valentini.
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B
These days, the best episodes are those directed by William Ludel and Phideaux Xavier and written by Barbara Bloom and Lisa Seidman.
How about adding Sheri Anderson and Patrick Mulcahey to the writing team to give it some edge.
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O
I can hardly wait until Carly gets a hold of Nina.
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C
The store line on GH is so bad I have been watching it forever get rid of Chase, all the quarter Maines except for Michael give Maxie her baby back stupid stupid store lines Sonny really falling for Nina get real that is just so gross and awful he has a family she might not but he dose and Grandkids and she is such a con artists it isn't funny I sure her best friend and everyone else would not be happy for the lies she has done she is so wrong yes yes its the producer's well fire there buds cause they suck doing this all
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B
Penn Bagley as Lucky Spencer and someone new for San other than Dante, no "I'm dating my younger sister's sister."
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R
The Sam and Dante pairing is flat. Actually, both characters are lackluster to me. As is Roger Howarth’s Austin.
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Laura Vining Faulkner Webber Baldwin Spencer Cassadine Spencer Collins.
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She's got eight last names
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R
Iif sonny foesnt soon come back we are not wstching abymore
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R
Yes!!! I agree!!
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C
I think Sam needs to leave GH a new lulu needs to come in Sam over reacts her part in fact she has no part since her and Jason are done Jason needs to be with some ones else fast not Carly either yes they are best friends but there is no chemistry there for love at all Sonny either comes as Sonny or just give it up cause him and Nina suck she needs to be fired she is not a good actress at all I hope she pays for what she has done
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C
They need a controversial storyline to really become relevant. If they are going to do the gay storylines which I’m cool with, how about really go for it? Two black guys fall in love?
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R
Wishful thinking. They prefer to cast very (obviously) gay black men playing hetero characters instead.
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