‘General Hospital’: Avery Pohl Speaks Out After Shocking Exit From Soap
More changes are happening in Port Charles as Avery Pohl, who has played Esme Prince since 2021, has exited General Hospital. Her last episode aired on Wednesday, January 31.
As reported by Soap Opera Digest, an ABC spokesperson confirmed Pohl’s departure, which came as a surprise to many viewers. In Wednesday’s episode, Pohl’s Esme and her ex-boyfriend Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) were presumed dead after a scuffle in Paris.
It was already known that Chavez would be taking a hiatus from the long-running soap as he is currently filming Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s hit Netflix anthology series Monster. Chavez is set to play Lyle Menendez, one of the infamous Menendez brothers, who were convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents.
However, while viewers expected Chavez’s exit, Pohl’s came as a shocker. It’s not yet known if Pohl will reprise her role in the future, but how things ended for her character certainly leaves the door open.
In her final moments, Esme was involved in an intense fight with her on-screen nemesis, Trina (Tabyana Ali), which ended with Esme and Spencer falling overboard from a private yacht. While presumed dead, no bodies were found, so, in true soap fashion, there is always the chance of a return.
Nicholas Chavez, Avery Pohl and Tabyana Ali on General Hospital; ABC/Nick Argo
“You could just feel the tension in the air, feel the thickness of it when Trina sees Esme in Paris,” Ali told Soap Opera Digest regarding those final scenes. “It’s like, ‘You know what? I gave you a chance the last time. This time, I’m doing something about it. This time, we’re gonna dance and it’s not gonna be pretty!’ I thought it was riveting.”
Pohl debuted on the soap on August 16, 2021, and was eventually revealed to be the daughter of iconic General Hospital villains Ryan Chamberlain (Jon Lindstrom) and Heather Webber (Robin Mattson/Alley Mills). Much like her parents, Pohl’s Esme proved to be a conniving baddie who caused chaos around Port Charles.
“At the end of the day, my job is to help tell a story and to entertain people, and if people are entertained by the fact that they love to loathe me, then I guess my job is done,” Pohl previously told Soap Opera Digest.
Despite their rivalry on-screen, Pohl and Ali formed a close friendship behind the scenes, which made for an emotional farewell.
“With Avery, it’s a little different because she lives right across the street from me and I talk to her all the time,” Ali shared. “But I was still like, ‘Dang, I’m not going to see you at work! But I will see you in the neighborhood!’ We talk and hang out frequently, but I hate that I’m not going to see her at work.”
She added, “I’ll still call her every day but I am going to miss seeing her at work. The day that Avery left was a very tearful day. We all gave her hugs and flowers and gifts. It was a bittersweet thing.”
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R
I am so sorry to see Avery Pohl leave GH...but I hope that she'll be doing more acting elsewhere soon! That girl is a talented dynamo!! I didn't like the actions of her character, but I love the acting talent of Avery Pohl. So sorry to see her go!!
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B
I was so hoping writers would redeem her character, but like Nina, no such luck.🤦♀️
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G
Love how Portia dropped everything to rush to save her daughter who was in mortal danger in Paris but stopped to have her beautiful spiral curls straightened into a stringy mess. Sure, my hair would be my first concern if a psycho was after my kid. Who’s in charge of continuity at GH? Yes, it’s a soap, but lets make it a little believable. You know, like people coming back from the dead.
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P
Yes. Also, did anyone else take note of the archaic Haunted Star set that was used. There's no way Spencer would be renting something that looked like that BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT MODERN ships look like today.
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P
I noticed right away that Spencer and Trina were in the exact same room they were in - on the Haunted Star. Found that very odd.
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B
It was shamelessly reused without much change to the layout or decor. I honestly have no reason why they chose to keep the exact same set of a ‘destroyed’ old-fashioned yacht. I guess they think all yachts look the same to most viewers. Does scrapped-rubble of ships morph-reincarnate or come back from the dead like soap characters do?🤷♀️
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B
The photo featuring Spencer, Esmee, and Trina is from when Sydney Mikayla played the role of Trina. Sydney is wrongly captioned as the current Trina, played by Tabyana Ali. Can you please either update the photo or correct the caption? Thanks! #blackhistorymonth
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G
I wince when they kiss
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P
I think it is such a shame that Avery Pohl is no longer on gh. She played the role of Esme perfectly. Especially reaveling the good side of her and the evil side (which I liked better). I hope that she will go on to be a great movie star. I believe movies are in her future and that she will truly be missed from gh.
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O
So obvious, no chemistry at all. They need someone new for both Spencer and Trina...
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I think the photo here shows original Trina and not Tabyana Ali as credited below it.
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G
I saw the difference Too
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G
Don't compare the two, Esme was likeable, Nina isn't
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B
I knew exactly what the ending of that cliffhanger would be with the turtle dove on the beach. I really like Avery Pohl as an actress and was hoping we’d see more of her, but once she whacked that captain (let alone, her shrink/Laura’s hubby, Kevin), any chance of her redemption ended. She’s permanently written out unless she were return to cause havoc for for a sweeps month bunch of episodes.